Page 5 of Taking The Virgin

I’m being sent to my room? What am I, a seven-year-old?

He continues. “I’ll be there later, after going in to work. There’s much I need to attendto.”

As the elevator door slides open, I realize what this actually means—he’s not sending me home. He’s keeping me, even with mysass.

He reaches inside to press a button, then stands back while holding the dooropen.

Miffed, I wipe the dampness from my cheeks and stride into the car. He’s still blocking the door from closing, looming over me, his gaze fierce yet chilly. But the closer I look, the more I see that there’s something in his eyes that seems just as ragingly confused as Iam.

As I strive for breath, I realize that his chest is slightly rising and falling just as mine is. But where I’m feeling a little out of control around him, he’s got an iron grip on himself, even with something as simple as breathing.

His mastery of the situation arouses me, and a sharp sensation pierces me between the legs, a craving that’s already getting me primed for him. Can I be more of a pushover forhim?

And whyhim?

“My kitchen is fully staffed and has a personal chef,” he says, still holding the door, “so order anything you’d like. You can take a bath, watch movies on your own TV, sleep, or try on any of the clothing that is in your closets and dresser. Be ready for me when I return.”

I get the feeling that he’s trying to make our little spat up to me somehow. All those beautiful outfits he showed me during our brief stop in my room during the tour…everything in this mansion… It’s all mine until he gets home to have his way withme.

He’s really keepingme.

I can’t tear my gaze from his, even as he lets go of the door and it starts to slide closed. The last thing I see as my heart frantically beats is the hunger in his eyes, theneed.

The erotic possibilities that await me tonight.

* * *

Nat meetsme as the elevator doors open, then escorts me to my room for the night.

But just one night, I remind myself.

I don’t know what kind of a night it’ll be either, but a combination of fear and excitement gives me pleasant shudders as we walk into my own private space.

The bedroom’s décor is sleek yet comfortable, with a low silver padded headboard, piles of pillows on the bed, shiny chrome furniture, and metallic modern paintings. Nat efficiently rubs a cloth over the surface of a dressing table, seeing to this one last detail before smiling at me with a sweetness that reminds me of mymom.

An emotional bruise makes my heart hurt for a moment until Nat speaks.

“You know, Dr. Gregory can appear rather like a mean ogre at times, but he’s actually much nicer when you get to knowhim.”

“I don’t think I’m going to be getting to know him very well,” I say. “And it sounds as if I’m not the only girl he’s hired who came off that elevator with a longface.”

Nat laughs softly, and even if she’s making no comment, I cling to her warmth. She’s the only friendly face I’m likely to see during this odd adventure. But when she gives me another fond glance, I think she likes me as much as I likeher.

I sigh. “Would I be wrong if I said that my life is far messier than Owen’s, and that probably makes us as compatible as oil and vinegar?”

“You might not be too far offbase.”

It’s a relief to talk to someone about this, because no one knows that I went to Highest Bidder to get the money I sorely need. No one knows the lengths I’m going to. They think I’m raising money on crowdfunding sites.

Little do they know I’m concentrating on only oneman.

“Actually, I have no complaints about being here,” I say. “This job is a godsend. When I found out about the web site, it was a no brainer to auction myself off. It’s quick money, and it’s going to jumpstart getting my brothers and sisters back in my family home. Your boss might not acknowledge it, but he’s about to help me pick up the pieces of mylife.”

“May I ask how old your siblingsare?”

I’m touched that she wants to know. “Jasmine is eleven, Jake is twelve, Jason is fourteen, and Jemma is sixteen.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but as Dr. Gregory’s personal assistant, I reviewed your application on Highest Bidder. I’m privy to many things, but not all of them, such as your family’s personal details.”

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