Page 29 of Sensual Games

“Enough of what you told me.” I stood, rounding the desk, coming to a stop in front of her. The erection had started to go down, so she wasn’t staring straight at my jutting cock. I was too concerned about the blank fear in her eyes and the tremor in her voice to continue this game. She had more to lose than I did.

“But you are right,” I decided. “We shouldn’t do this here.”

She was too smart to take that at face value. Folding her arms, she asked, “What are you suggesting?”

“I’m not suggesting a thing, Poison. I’m telling you you’re coming to my apartment tomorrow night. I would say tonight, but I have plans, though you could come along,” I suggested without thinking. “You’re friends with Rose, right? She’ll be there.”

“No, I don’t think so. But thank you.”

She was doing me a favor by turning me down. I was so desperate to be with her that I would have suggested anything so long as it meant being together. I was becoming addicted to everything about her, mind and body, and enough was never enough.

I was wading through dangerous shit, in other words.

“Tomorrow night. My apartment. You’ll find my address in the employee files.” I inclined my head toward the door. “I’m sure you have plenty to do now. I won’t keep you from it.”

She eyed me warily as she stood, heading to the door. She would show up. I had no doubt. She might fight with herself, but part of her was smart enough to know she couldn’t deny the obvious.

There was no staying away from each other.

12

IVY

Iwasn’t doing this.

I wasn’t actually considering this, was I?

So why was I checking myself out in front of the mirror in the bedroom section of my studio apartment? It was also the living room, considering I couldn’t fit more than a bed and a single armchair in the entire room. I ran my hands down the front of my sleeveless blouse, which I bought with my first new paycheck.

Most of my increased salary had to go to Mom, but there was enough for me to buy a few little things for myself. It was cute, the flowing blue fabric skimming my hips. Paired with a pair of jeans and sandals, I could have been on my way out for drinks with friends instead of whatever the hell this was.

A booty call. Call it what it is.

And it wasn’t like I hadn’t chosen my prettiest bra and panties for the occasion after taking an ‘everything’ shower, where I shaved, scrubbed, and exfoliated every inch of my body. My carefully blown-out hair hung in loose waves that would probably fall as soon as I stepped into the humid night.

What was I thinking? I had so much riding on this job. A framed photo of Mom and me at my graduation hung close to where the mirror was mounted on the wall. I stared at it while beating myself up for being so easy. If anybody found out I was sleeping with Lucian, it would be my head on the chopping block. Men could get away with things like that, especially men in his position. Word might get around, and I could kiss my professional credibility goodbye.

Did that stop me from double-checking my purse and dropping my phone inside before checking for my keys? I made sure the tiny stove was off, turning out the lights in an apartment that was smaller than Lucian’s office. It wasn’t much, but it was mine, and I was actively jeopardizing it by leaving and heading outside to meet my Uber driver.

I didn’t feel like dealing with the subway into Manhattan.

Upon exiting the building, a man in a dark suit called out to me from the curb. “Excuse me, Miss?”

I would normally have ignored some random creep, but the fact that he stood beside a sleek, black car that looked way too fancy for this neighborhood made me pause. “Yes?”

“Miss Ivy St. James?”

This was too weird. “That’s right.”

“Mr. Diamond sent me to pick you up.” He stepped aside after opening the back door. “To ensure your safety.”

My apprehension melted along with some of my nerves. The man was slick. I had to give him that much. Doing everything he could to get me to his apartment, even though I hadn’t confirmed I’d accept his invitation. I swallowed down the fluttering in my stomach at the gesture. “Thank you,” I murmured, offering a nervous smile and sliding into the back seat. It smelled brand new, and the leather was like butter.

Here goes nothing.I canceled my Uber and settled back with my heart fluttering.

The whole way across the bridge, I tapped my fingers against my bouncing knee. Along with my apprehension was a healthy dose of excitement. Anticipation. His touch—just thinking about it made my breath catch. We would have the whole night together, nobody interrupting us.

I was still caught between being disappointed with myself and counting the seconds until I got up to Lucian’s apartment by the time I climbed out of the car and up to the revolving door leading into a very big, fancy-looking lobby.

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