Page 27 of King of Temptation

“I’ll take it from here,” Leo says, still staring at me, not even looking at Samantha. Then he reaches over and pushes a button, the sound of a motor firing up as the cage clanks into motion.

“Thank you, Samantha,” I call after her. She gives me a small wave before she reaches the stairs and disappears.

I thump Leo on the chest. “You can’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Look,” I let out an exasperated sigh, “I’ve worked with a lot of groups of women, and they don’t like it when they think the boss is playing favorites.”

He has the decency to frown. “So I should give Samantha extra dances and extra pay tonight?”

“Yes, please,” I softly answer before I see his nostrils flare.

“You know I love it when you say please.”

“Leo,” I gasp. Then I clear my throat. “Maybe I should call you Mr. Kincaid?”

“Only if you want me to put you over my knee.”

I stare at him, not entirely hating the idea if I’m being honest. But the cage reaches the top and I turn my head to stare. It’s larger than I thought, plenty of room for me to move and I feel much safer at the top with the cage blocking the opening in the rail. There is a four-inch gap between the cage and the landing, but Leo’s got my hand firmly in his as I move away, stepping over the gap and into the cage.

There isn’t even any music, but I grab a bar in the middle and swing myself around, my back arching as I pivot on my toes.

“Jesus Christ, I’m going to hell.” Leo is still in the opening, his eyes glued to my body. “You are way too good at that.”

I give him a sassy little grin. “This was your idea.”

His gaze turns so hot, it could melt my leotard off. Sex with Leo was amazing, but I have this vision of both of us actually being naked, of our skin sliding together, and the next swing of my hips goes out even further.

He lets out this growling sound. “Cue the music.”

A popular dance song fires up and I listen for a second before I start to move. I can’t help it, I keep looking at him and he’s devouring me with his gaze. My body pulses with that same raw desire I had that night at the wedding.

This man is like a drug…

My neck arches, the movement carrying all down my body.

A muscle ticks in his jaw and my gaze slides down to see the erection in his tight jeans. I nearly lose my footing then.

“Cage coming down,” he yells and then pushes another button.

I hold on as it starts to move, the speed slow and the motion steady enough that I quickly adjust.

That’s when I notice, Leo wasn’t the only person watching.

Bartenders, waitstaff, dancers have all stopped to watch me as the song changes and I switch the rhythm and the moves.

The cage starts going back up, my body tightening at the idea of seeing Leo again. The energy between us is electric and I briefly wonder how I’m even going to hold out a month.

It’s one thing when I didn’t have to see him. But now…

I hit the top and he stops the cage, reaching his hand in to help me out. “Is that it?”

“For cage practice…yes.” He doesn’t pull me close this time and once I’m out of the cage, he doesn’t wrap an arm around me. “The rest of rehearsal will be on the floor.”

I nod, trying to fortify myself for his next offensive attack. But it doesn’t come.

He drops my hand and walks away, only giving me a quick, “Good luck,” over his shoulder.

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