Page 11 of Gilded Desires

“Ma’am?” he drawls.

I hold up the newspaper when my tongue reconnects with my brainwaves. “I’m here for this.”

Those dark, piercing eyes touch every part of my body but instead of coming back to rest on my boobs, this man’s gaze finds mine. We stand there for a few seconds just looking at each other.

“Okay, now you have me worried. Do I have broccoli in my teeth or something?”

Thick black brows pull together to make a tiny crease between the cowboy’s eyes. “What?” he grunts, looking absolutely adorable when confused. And that’s when I notice the slight twang. Now the cowboy boots in a big city make sense.

I shrug a little, which makes my breasts sway in this ridiculously tiny dress. The movement catches his attention.

I thought his eyes were dark before. Now they are impossibly black and lined in shades of amber. The sheen of hunger that crosses his expression catches me off guard and I inhale. Every inch of my lungs fills with the clean scent of his soap and undercurrents of what has to be the smoothest aftershave.

Suave, masculine and intoxicating.

I squelch the urge to ask for his name and number for a quick hookup. I have to stick to my plan. Not jump the first good-looking man with a…my eyes drift down his well-honed body noting all the right dips and angles. And the sizable package tucked behind all that denim.

Stick to your plan, Belle.

He clears his throat and I snap out of my dirty thoughts.

“I’m uh, sorry. I uh, I mean, the way you’re looking at me makes me think I am either your worst idea knocking on your door, or I have my lunch in my teeth.”

He huffs a sexy sort of chuckle that makes my insides quiver.

“I’m Belle.” I offer my hand. Calluses glide over smooth skin and for every inch of real estate he claims under his warm touch the hotter my insides turn.

What is this guy? A walking sex factory? He’s got the looks, the voice, and the strong grip made for a woman’s body.

Strong fingers wrap around my hand, and he gives a light squeeze. He’s holding back on his grip but the way his eyes devour my mouth and cleavage is a whole other story.

He drops my hand and steps back for me to enter. The room is painted in black—shocker—with gold accentedeverything.From the high-hanging chandelier to the gold light fixtures on the walls. Even the elegant floral design etched into the walls. If it’s not black, it’s gold. Even the large desk taking up a large portion of the back half of the office matches the decor.

My gaze zeroes in the sexy cowboy and I nearly fall back from the intensity in the dark pools when our eyes connect. I lick my suddenly dry lips. My dress suddenly feels like way too muchclothing, and I find myself wondering if his lips are as kissable as they look.

Some days I wish I was the good girl. Meek and mousy. But nope. Not me. I’m full steam ahead and doubting myself is rarely the norm.

“This way.”

Today is one of those times I wish I could stop myself from being so eager to get into trouble. I guess it doesn’t matter. I don’t have time to stop and ask questions as I follow.

Three

Belle

He holds the door open for me and I follow him into a room filled with other women. Tall, short, young, and some enter cougar territory in comparison to the man who just answered the door.

Well, at least I won’t be dying alone if this cowboy turns out to be some psycho killer. That comforting thought leads to another one and my heart sinks. I knew it was too good to be true. The newspaper article, I mean. But damn. I had my hopes there for a second that whatever role I was coming for would be of the sexy variety type. But seeing all these girls here means I’ll have to share. Double damn.

I hold a hand up and give a small wave of greeting to everyone. We’ll probably be scrubbing toilets together by the end of the day. Or passing out drinks on the main floor. Who knows. “Hi,” I try, getting snarky lip curls from some and eye rolls from others for my efforts.

My brows arch sharply, and I take a calming breath.

Okay, then.

Their shitty attitudes aren’t real shockers. I get it’s competitive in the real world, the one my brother is hellbent on keeping me from. The women here are only looking out for their own interests. Until they find out I’m the princess of the Constantine empire. Then attitudes seem to change and fast.

The men of Genesis have bled and killed in order to build a dangerous reputation. One I’ve tried to distance myself from, but really, it’s impossible when you share the same eyes and last name as the most powerful underlord of Chicago.

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