Page 29 of Seduced By Contract

"What? No!" I say, anxious. "Why? I thought?—”

"I won't take advantage of someone in a state of desperation, Madison. You know my terms. I'm cold and ruthless when I want something, but my desire doesn't outweigh my sense of honor. You won't go to bed with me just because youneedsomething from me."

I feel my face burning, certain that the driver has heard everything.

Nothing is going as I expected, and now I have to think quickly before all my plans disappear into thin air. "I don't want to talk in front of him. Can we talk somewhere else?"

He turns in his seat to face me, and he stares at me for so long that I'm sure he's going to say no, so I nearly collapse with relief when I hear him order the driver, "Let's go to my apartment, Larry."

After that, he looks out the window and doesn't speak to me again until Mr. West parks at a very famous building, facing Central Park.

This time, I don't even try to get out of the car before Zeus does, and as expected, he walks around to open my door and offers me his hand to help me out.

I'm dressed simply, but I pretend that entering the building where I know celebrities live is no big deal. I lift my head, as I always do when I feel insecure, and as I feel his huge hand touching the small of my back, I immediately calm down.

We step into the elevator, and as the doors close, he moves towards me, catching me off-guard. He pins me against the wall with his body and kisses me.

It’s not the kind of kiss he gave me in the car on the night we met, which, despite being delicious, wasn't lascivious. This one is brazen. His tongue moves in my mouth, making me accept it, demanding surrender.

I pull him by his hair and give in to his demand, forgetting that I came to propose a deal. Right now, the only thing I know is that I want more of him.

Once again, Zeus is the one who breaks the kiss. He holds my chin. "Open your eyes, Madison."

I feel vulnerable and don't want to obey, but I do as he says.

"Whatever you're going to propose, don't lie. I want you, and I'm open to negotiation, but don't pretend you don't want me to try to protect yourself. I don't give second chances."

Zeus

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

She's astense as a guitar string when we step into the apartment. I try to maintain my composure, but it's hard to deny how much it affects me to see the effort she's putting into pretending to be at ease in such a luxurious place. I try to put myself in her shoes and imagine what she's thinking as she looks at the marble floor covered with Persian rugs and the elaborate decor by one of Manhattan's top interior designers. I didn't bring her here to show off but because it's the only place we can have some privacy.

"Do you want something to drink?" I ask.

"I'm not of legal drinking age," she replies.

"Do you always follow the rules?" I ask, testing her.

"Yes. I create them in my mind and I stick to them. Respecting the rules is my top priority."

I hold her hand and lead her into the main living area. "Why is it so important for you to follow the rules?"

"We didn't come here to talk about who I am. You made it clear that first night what your interest in me is, Zeus. You asked me not to pretend that I don't want you, and I'm willing to let myguard down as long as this lasts between us, but there will be a limit to how much you'll know about me."

I gesture for her to sit on the couch, and I take a seat beside her. "The rules won't be one-sided, Madison. I have my own rules, and whatever I want to know about you, you'll tell me."

"Will the same apply in reverse?"

"Yes, to a reasonable extent," I say without committing fully.

"I'll keep those words in mind."

"Why don't you allow yourself to break the rules?"

"Because I was raised by someone who couldn't care less about them."

"Who?"

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