Page 54 of Dirty Damage

A woman asking for it.

Each step down the dark hallway is another chance to bail, to rethink this bold move and crawl back into my shapeless armor.

But Oleg’s already seen all of me. Twice, actually.

He saw everything, and hechoseme.

And I chosethis.

I push open the double doors to his suite for the second time today and step inside. Oleg freezes mid-stride by the foot of his bed, like he was wearing a path in the carpet the same way I was.

His eyes devour every inch of exposed skin, and a sound rumbles from his chest that’s more animal than man.

“You didn’t come to talk, princess.”

My instincts are screaming at me to turn and run. That’s what you’re supposed to do when a beast is eyeing you like he wants to devour you whole.

Only… I think I want to let him.

“I found your collection,” I blurt.

My eyes dart to the closet, and he follows the movement, a smirk spreading across his face. His scars sink in deep contrast from the low lamplight.

“You went snooping, you mean.”

It’s not a question. But with the way his gaze keeps raking over my body, I’d say we’re more than even.

I’ve shown him mine—several times now.

I deserve a peek in return.

When I lower my attention to the bulge straining his slacks, I get a lot more than a peek.Mental note: tell Mara it’s definitely true about big hands and feet.

Mental note to the mental note:Never tell her a single detail about any of this.

I want to keep this sight all to myself.

“My face is up here, you know.”

Color floods my cheeks. “I could say the same to you.”

Shamelessly, he devours me with another long look, tongue dragging across his bottom lip like he can taste me already. “We can always talk tomorrow.”

He takes a step forward. I fall back instinctively. He stops, eyebrows rising.

“I-I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I?—”

I don’t know how to have sex for money. I’ve never sold myself before.

But this doesn’t feel like what Sydney did to survive. The men who paid her would have taken anyone with a pulse and the right parts. They just wanted a warm body.

Olegchoseme.

He wants me, even if it’s not romantically. Something about that soothes the phantom ache in my chest.

He doesn’t look annoyed. Then again, it’s impossible to read anything behind that impassive mask.

“If you need more time?—”

---