Page 20 of Master

After enjoying the largest whirlpool tub I’ve ever had the privilege of soaking in. I am eating a cheeseburger and french fries from room service in the fluffy terry hotel robe when I am surprised by a knock at the door. Opening it, I find the bellhop with several shopping bags. He hands me the bags and a black envelope with gold foiling.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have any money for a tip.”

“It’s already been taken care of, ma’am,” the bellhop informs me.

After closing the door, I place the bags at the foot of the bed and open the envelope.

Layla helped me guess your size, but I thought you would appreciate having more to wear than those scrubs or a hotel robe.

–Liam

He apparently has no idea how amazing this bathrobe is.

When I open the first bag, I find out a pair of leggings, a fitted T-shirt, and a long, thin sweater. The next bag contains threeidentical pairs of booties in different sizes.Definitely covering all his bases.Reaching into the third bag, a tiny gasp falls from my lips. Pulling my hand out of it, I have a fistful of lacy panties and an equally sheer bra dangling from the strap.

God, I hope Layla picked these out.

Hastily, I shove the panties back into the bag, and I move everything to the settee under the window. Removing the robe and tossing it on the end of the bed, I climb between soft linen sheets and flip on the TV. I stare mindlessly at the screen for an hour before realizing that I’m so consumed by my thoughts that I have no idea what is happening between the characters.

Maybe a good night’s sleep will clear my mind so that I can make this decision.

Eventually turning off the TV, I get comfortable in the bed. Only sleep isn’t forthcoming. Instead of the inside of my eyelids, I find myself flitting between staring at the ceiling and the bedside alarm clock until 3:00 a.m. The glow of the alarm clock glimmers on the foil of Liam’s business card resting on the nightstand. Grabbing the card, I turn it over in my hand for a few minutes.

Fuck it.

Without allowing myself to overthink it, I flip on the sconce beside the bed. I lift the receiver from the base of the phone and dial the number on the card. It rings once before Liam answers, “Are you okay, Sasha?”

“Yes,” I reply. “How did you know it was me?”

“Good guess… and caller ID,” he teases.

“It’s very late. Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I can’t.” I sigh heavily. “I’ve been up all night thinking about your offer.”

“Like I said in the club, you don’t have to make a decision right now.”

Taking a deep breath, I blow it out slowly before giving him the answer that has been weighing on me all night. “Okay.”

“We can talk about it more tomorrow.”

“No… I mean… I’m saying yes,” I clarify. “I want to accept your offer of training.”

“Good.” His tone carries a glimmer of delight, and I can’t help but smile. “Now, be a good girl and get some sleep. I’ll be at the hotel to pick you up at 10:00 a.m. Good night, sweetheart.”

“Night, Liam.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

LIAM

Preparations for Sasha to move into my apartment started the moment she left the club for the Dominick. Actually, they started before that. The moment she let her curiosity show, I knew she was going to say yes.

I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.

Taking my own advice, I flip off the light in the spare bedroom and head down the hall to mine. I set an alarm to ensure I have adequate time to get to her hotel by 10:00 a.m.

Keeping busy getting ready for Sasha’s anticipated arrival stopped me from thinking about my impulsivity this evening, but with my head resting on the soft, down pillow, it’s suddenly the only thing I can think about.

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