Page 15 of Entice

“Background check?” She remembered Sierra talking about the NDA and other stuff, but she hadn’t gone into detail. Crystal sat back down.

“Yes. It’s a private club. You’ll be my guest, but you still have to fill out the background check and NDA, and even though you’re not becoming a member, the club application, and go over the rules. We’ll go over them tomorrow and go to the club on Thursday.”

“You seem to have it all planned out.”

“I do.” He leaned in. “Tell me, Crystal, what scares you more: kink or my attraction to you?” His voice had dropped to a low, husky tone that sent shivers over her skin.

How the hell did she answer? It wasn’t his attraction to her so much, but how she was reacting to him. Her willpower took a hike when she was around him, and it wasn’t a good thing. “I’m scared of myself.” The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them.

His lips parted, and his breath whooshed out of him. “That was unexpected.”

A tremor slid over her skin at his intense stare.

“You’re breathing is a little shallow. Not sure if it’s from excitement or fear, but I’m not going to lie to you. I’m a Dominant. And I’d like nothing more than to play with you.” He leaned toward her.

And she wanted to play with him. She wanted to deny it, but she couldn’t, not if she was honest with him and herself. Sinful. The word echoed in her mind.

Crystal froze. “Jordan.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed. “This is going way too fast.” His words made her heart pound and her mouth go dry. Yes, it was too soon.

He moved back. “Is it?” He stared at her with those brown eyes of his. “Be honest with me. How am I making you feel right now?”

“Excited, scared, and a little bit out of control.” Words likesinful and slutran through her head like a broken record. Would she ever get past those memories? Maybe it was time to see a therapist again? She’d have to think about it.

“Good emotions, all of them. What is scaring you?”

“Everything,” she whispered. This was crazy. “Please scoot back.” She needed some distance between them to regain her balance. Emotionally and physically.

“Why?”

“Because I can’t breathe with you so close.” It was true; she was having trouble getting a full breath. No man had ever affected her like he did. Even the first night they met, he’d done this to her.

“Thank you for being honest.” He shifted until he was at the other end of the sofa.

Crystal blew out a breath. That was better. He wasn’t so close she would be tempted. She froze. Tempted? Yep, she was tempted to jump into his arms. Oh, this was so not good. He was a lawyer. She’d promised herself never to date another lawyer after the last disaster. But still, how would she be able to look him in the eye? And there were her family hang-ups.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.” She shifted and unfolded her legs. Her father’s voice sounded in her head.Time for the sin closet, you slut.

“What’s got you running?” His voice held concern.

“We shouldn’t be doing this.” She got to her feet and glanced at the beer sitting on the side table. She had barely finished half of it, so she couldn’t blame being tipsy for what had happened here. “I should be going. Thank you for dinner. We can talk tomorrow.”

“Very well.” His voice was soft. Jordan stood and waited while she slipped on her shoes, then escorted her to the front door without touching her.

“I can make it to my car,” she said as he stepped out with her.

“I’ll walk you.” He shut the door behind him. “I’m not sure why you’re running, but I won’t push you.” Crystal wasn’t going to say another word. This whole thing had made her uncomfortable. All she could remember was her father’s anger at her. Tears gathered behind her eyes. She did this. She made Jordan angry with her.

Thank goodness she had her own vehicle. It would make it easier to escape. Yeah, she admitted to herself, she was escaping. At her vehicle, she unlocked it and tossed her bag and jacket onto the passenger seat before she turned to Jordan.

He was right there. In her space. Her hands came up, palms flat on his chest. Damn, she could feel his muscles through the shirt. “Jordan.”

“I said I won’t push tonight. We have time.”

She wanted to ask him: Time for what? But he leaned down and brushed his lips over hers. It was a soft kiss, a barely there kiss, before he lifted his head. Her lips tingled, and her body shifted ever so slightly toward him.

“Drive carefully, and call me when you get home.” He stepped away from her, and her hands fell to her sides.

Crystal climbed into her SUV, and Jordan shut the door. She started her vehicle, backed out of the space, and watched him in her rearview mirror until she couldn’t see him.

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