Page 30 of Contracted

That she hid that part of herself, even from her own eyes, squeezed at my innards. She was doing her best to forget her past and obviously her present. Little wonder she wanted to leave it all behind.

And yet you’ve forced her to stay another month in a profession she doesn’t want to be in.

I shoved away yet another bout of guilt. One more month wouldn’t hurt her, not when she was only seeing me. That I’d ensured no other client would be a part of her future should make her happy...I hoped it did.

“Would you like a drink?” she asked, heading toward a corner bar that reflected the same walnut-stain as her floorboards. Though it featured a built-in wine rack between the doors and the bar-top, it was the whiskey bottles on the glass shelves above that caught my eye.

“A woman after my own heart,” I mused aloud.

She snorted. “Not all women drink wine and bubbly.”

I accepted my glass with its splash of amber with a nod of thanks. She tipped her glass back and swallowed its contents in one gulp, then placed it back on the bar with a sigh. “I’ll go and get my things.”

I nodded, taking a small sip of my drink before following her into the bedroom. She dragged a suitcase down from an overhead cupboard and proceeded to stuff it with clothes.

“You still have some things left in my closet at home,” I reminded silkily. I didn’t know what had been worse, finding her eye mask in my jacket pocket after I’d gotten dressed or seeing her clothes abandoned in my closet.

Definitely the former. When I’d pulled out her eye mask, I’d felt emotions I’d never experienced before. Yearning and need had overwhelmed me all over again, my fluttering stomach and racing pulse reminding me what I must do—everything possible—to reclaim the woman I wanted.

Now I just had to win her over in the coming weeks.

I tossed back the last of my whiskey as she continued packing, my voice a growl thanks to my dark emotions. “I’ll supply anything you need, just take essential items.”

She looked up, her face flushed. “My clothes are an essential part of me.” She frowned. “We are going to your place?”

I shook my head. “No. My don—my brother—has a casino in Vegas. He wants me to oversee things there for a few weeks.” I wouldn’t tell her it was mostly until things calmed down a bit.

She blinked. “Really? How lovely of him.”

Lovely wasn’t a word too often associated with Ethan, but I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement even as my dick strained. “Really.” I stepped toward her and drew her close, clasping her ass and pressing her against my arousal, “But first, I want to make our month together official.”

Chapter Sixteen

Delilah

I couldn’t help but be excited about my first trip to Vegas. Energy thrummed through me, but knowing I’d be there with Serafino made it even more special.

His dominance enthralled me, his skill in making me succumb to him beyond compare. He might know how to kill, but he most certainly knew how to fuck. Despite my best intentions, I was opening to him like a bud to first dawn light.

We boarded his private jet, the ultimate in luxury with its leather seating surrounding a polished table, more seats behind with a big screen television. A cream carpet with dark swirling patterns was soft and luxurious underfoot, and I couldn’t wait to take off my heeled boots.

Our luggage had already been put away, and I only had my clutch bag on me, my overnight bag stashed in the bedroom of the jet. I shivered delicately. I didn’t doubt for a second I’d become a member of the mile high club. Though where he’d find the energy after he’d screwed me senseless in my own home, I had no idea.

He directed me to a comfy two-seater lounge that seemed designed for intimacy. Not that I was complaining, I enjoyed his big, hard body next to mine, even if I wished that I abhorred him.

An air hostess approached, her simpering smile making my stomach twist. “Would you like a drink, perhaps a snack?” She didn’t look my way as she asked Serafino, “Something else?”

He was immune to her bold innuendo when he replied, “Two whiskeys on the rocks.”

The air hostess frowned a little, then nodded and sashayed off to prepare the drinks.

I dragged a hand through my high ponytail as I glanced at him, my voice tight. “Another one of your conquests?”

He arched a brow. “Possibly. I stopped counting a long time ago. Why? Does it bother you who I’ve fucked in my past?”

I lifted my chin. “I’m an escort. Fidelity isn’t in my repertoire.” Though jealousy seemed to be now.

He inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring. He reached out and gripped my chin, holding my stare. “You’ll be all mine for this coming month.”

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