Page 57 of Tame Me

I should step back but he hasn’t released me and I’m completely immobilised. There’s another long moment where we stand too still, too silent, too close. My heart is pounding so hard he must be able to feel it. His mouth moves and he actually smiles. Everything seems awfully intimate but at the same time it’s shockinglyeasy. I don’t know this feeling. It’s as if I’ve stepped through a portal and now a swirling bubble of heat spreads from a secret source low in my belly. Warmth and light ripple through me, and something silkier—something forbidden. It snakes around me like a ribbon, drawing me closer. Binding me to him. I don’t want it to end.

I hear something like a groan and with a small gasp I realise it came fromme.

I’m too busy. I’m too alone. But I need to be. Ava is relying on me. Romy is relying on me. Kiri is relying on me. So is Simone. AndI’mrelying on me. There’s no one else Icanrely on.

‘You really shouldn’t be any later,’ I say firmly.

‘You really care about whether she has a good time?’

‘Yes,’ I growl. ‘I really do. And not because she’s paid for it. She’s a nice person. How people like her treat people like me and you is very telling.’

‘People like her?’

‘Obscenely wealthy.’ Aside from the whole book-the-whole-restaurant-out fact, Simone has the look—the silk clothes and gleaming jewels. Most of the ultra-wealthy people I’ve met are too used to getting whatever they want. At best they take people like me for granted and at worst, treat me like dirt. Either way I know very well I don’t fit in their world. ‘But she’s a good one.’

His expression tightens. ‘To people like you and me?’

‘Service industry survivors.’ I half smile. Bracketing myself with him feels good. ‘She deserves a good night,’ I say softly. ‘Don’t make her wait any longer.’

‘Okay,’ he agrees equally softly but he doesn’t release me. ‘I won’t make her wait...’

I’m struck by the craziest thought that he’s about to kiss me. The even crazier thing is that I’m about to let him.

‘Talia?’ Kiri’s voice pierces through the door. ‘Any luck?’

I flinch, returning to reality with a jump. He steps back. Cold air ripples over the space on my back where his arm rested. I brace to stop myself stumbling after him.

Kiri’s question slowly sinks in. I’ve completely forgotten why I came in here and I have no idea how long I’ve been standing here just—

‘Glasses,’I remember dazedly. ‘I need to find glasses.’

‘That’swhy you needed to get so close just now?’ A low laugh escapes him. ‘So you could see me properly?’

‘See your tie. Yes.’ But I can only stare at him again—his smile steals everything.

‘Sorry, sweetness. No luck tonight.’ He leans forward and kisses me on the cheekbone. It’s such a soft, swift brush of his lips that I wonder if I imagine it.

I don’t answer. I can’t. My brain is mush.

CHAPTER TWO

Dain

ICAN’TREMEMBERwho I am or why I’m here or what I’m supposed to be doing. All I know is a scrap of a waitress urged me to do a ‘good job’ and all I want is to pleaseherin every carnal way imaginable.Thaturge was so overwhelming I just kissed her cheek and a bolt of electricity slammed into me. Fortunately my reason returned with the force of it. Even so I stare at her for a second longer. She has shockingly pretty, big brown eyes—like a deer. She’s a bit of a Bambi all round with her slim, leggy build and her glossy black-coffee hair. Pretty thing materialised just as I’d sorted the ink stain on my shirt and helped me dress like some over-efficient boarding-house matron with nimble fingers and sweet concentration. Most women undress me. This one helped me do the opposite and it was one of the hottest moments of my life. Go figure.

Talia.It’s a delicate name for a delicate creature and I’ve a craving to taste more than just her name. Sex is a private pleasure I don’t take too seriously but I must admit that being mistaken for a stripper is a first. I’ll strip if she wants—her, that is—out of that black dress. I want to do more than strip her. I want to hear her moan again. I want her to melt against me.

It’s instant and it’sintense.

But given I haven’t indulged recently, maybe it’s reasonable that desire bites so hard now. My work-life balance has been more out of whack than usual. Butshe’sat work and I can’t harass her. Plus she’s even more confused as to who I am and why I’m here than I am. Right now I’m too amused and bemused to tell her. And, all right, yes, aroused. So I walk out of the room and down the corridor. There’s a ripple as I walk into the restaurant. I glance behind me, stupidly vain enough to hope she sees the reaction to my arrival. But she hasn’t followed me. Deflated, I stroll towards Simone, seated in the centre of the party. The woman beside her moves to make room for me.

‘You were supposed to be here hours ago,’ Simone admonishes as we hug. ‘But I don’t mind.’

Some people write Simone off as an airhead—a Sydney society eccentric. They’re wrong. She has an astute business brain. She’s also the only person from my past with whom I retain consistent contact outside the boardroom.

‘I’m glad you made it,’ she adds.

So am I, though not for any reason to do with my godmother. I’m haunted by the sound of a sexy little inhale as I brushed that completely inappropriate kiss on Talia’s cheek.

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