Page 189 of Unexpected Hero

We’ve never had sex at the club. The few times he’s been here since we got together, he’s mostly hung out at the front desk with me or relieved the other floor monitors while he waited for the club to close.

All this time, a horribly insecure part of me feared he was ashamed to be seen taking me into a room. It’s insane because he’s never given me a reason to think he’d act that way. But I’m constantly worried that my lack of sexperience will soon catch up with me, and he’ll be bored with me.

And my damn heart is terrified it’s right around the corner.

That fear might be part of why I told him he could tie me up if he came to see me sing. I know he wants to rope top me, and I was desperate for him to see me sing. Despite not being ready for bondage, I put it out there in a pathetic attempt to keep him interested in me.

The fact that he showed up here after my offer only increases my worries that he’s ready for more than I can offer him.Yet.

Regular sex or a plain old fuck wasn’t enough to get him here. But I mention ropes, and he’s here with bells on.

I don’t know how to feel about it, but I’ll dissect it later. That kiss has me all kinds of distracted, anyhow.

“James, you didn’t sign up for a room,” I tell him ashe moves us swiftly from closed door to closed door. “It’s busy tonight.”

“I don’t give a fuck. Dante will give me a pass if someone complains. He owes me.” He glances down at me and grins devilishly. “And, of course, it’s busy tonight. Your enchanting voice has this place packed. Everyone wants to hear my girl sing.”

My girl.

A tidal wave of pride fills me, but my negative inner voice has me doubting it regardless of the proof I’ve seen with my own eyes.

The first night was a lackluster turnout, at best. By the second week, the size of the crowd doubled. And tonight, Dante told me he was concerned we were over the building occupancy.

But my mama ensured I’d always doubted myself, so I play off James’s comment. “Nah. I’m sure it’s always busy for karaoke.”

“Bullshit. You don’t believe that for a second, do you?”

I shrug as he gets to the end of the hallway and grumbles in frustration at the lack of open rooms. There’s only one available.

He freezes in the doorway, looking from the bed to me and back three times. He nibbles at his lip, contemplating something.

I twist my neck for a better view. Nothing looks amiss in the room. “What are you waiting for? Change your mind?”

His jaw clicks. “This is the voyeur room.”

“And? I thought that was one of your top two kinks?”

“Yeah, but I’m not going to yank you out of your comfort zone. You’re not ready for that.”

My shoulders stiffen, and it’s on the tip of my tongue to snark at him. Then I remember how he’s asked me to correct him when he says something he shouldn’t. Something tells me this is one of those times.

“James, you should ask me before deciding something like that.”

His head slants, and he studies my face closely. “Are you ready for it, Lettie? Are you comfortable with me fucking you while people watch on the other side of the mirror? You won’t know who is in there, and they’ll probably be masturbating or having sex while they watch you come for me. Is that something you’re ready for?”

Gulp. Hot, hot, fucking hot.

“I can’t tell from your tone if you’re challenging me because you want me to say yes or trying to make it sound unappealing so I’ll say no.”

He shifts his hold on me, jostling me a bit. My body weight must be catching up to him. “I’m not sure either.”

I love those little glimpses of vulnerability he shows me. “Put me down, please.”

He gnashes his teeth but complies with my request. Once I’m on my feet, I grab him by the hand and tug him into the room.

One step.

“Sugar bear, you don’t have to do this for me.”

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