Page 17 of Midnight Dissonance

And there it was again. That internal snap. As if his world had finally righted itself after being in a freefall for years.

She tasted like long-lost hopes and dreams. And fuck, but he wanted her. He wanted her on her knees, submitting to his dominance. He wanted her to beg him to fuck her.

He wanted her in a way he’d not wanted another woman. Ever.

Not even his ex-wife had held her same appeal.

It didn’t matter that there were fourteen years separating them. It didn’t matter that he avoided commitment at all costs.

Lexi was different. Because she was meant to be his. And not simply for a night at the Eros Pit, but forever.

Lexi wrapped her arms around his neck. Her sweet sighs went straight to his dick. But he wasn’t going to take her tonight. No, she needed to be seduced.

He broke the kiss but didn’t release her right away. He waited for her to lift her gaze. Bolts of pleasure shot through him at the hazy expression on her face. “See. You do want me. And I get your hesitancy.”

“Ack! You’re so full of yourself. Yes, I kissed you, and you kissed me. But this is where it ends.” She pressed against him to release her.

He stroked his knuckle gently down her cheek, loving the sound of her indrawn gasp. “No, this is where we begin, Lexi. You will be mine.”

“And then what? You’ll move on to the next sub at Eros. Thanks, but no.” She shoved her door open and scurried to her front door.

He let her go. She would need time to adjust. Because she was the woman meant for him. And while he’d never ascribed himself as a believer in fate. He couldn’t deny he’d felt the click. Both times.

In his rearview mirror, he caught sight of her guitar case and grinned. She’d come see him. And then he was going to charm her into his bed and his life.

And if he felt a little underhanded over his methods, he ignored it. Because he wanted her. And he always got what he wanted.

6

By mid-week, the events of the past weekend were little more than a memory. One she couldn’t seem to erase from her mind or stop thinking about.

It was still dark out when she let herself in through the front door of the Java Hut. It was blisteringly cold out, with temps not expected to rise about ten degrees Fahrenheit. She would have far preferred to stay snuggled in bed rather than leave it and serve other people coffee. And yet, here she was, slogging through because she needed the cash.

She relocked the front door and headed into the back to store her coat and purse in her locker, where she retrieved her apron.

“Morning, Lexi.” Dillon, the manager of the Java Hut, poked his head out of the office with a grin.

“Morning.” Dillon was nice as far as managers went. He was in his forties with a wife and two kids. His salt and pepper hair always looked disheveled, like he ran his hands through it constantly.

“I haven’t had a chance to get the front stocked and ready yet. I’m still working on payroll. Can you get that done by yourself? If not, I can pause what I’m doing.”

“I got it. And since I happen to think you’re not a horrible boss, I’ll even bring you a cup of coffee before I open the front door,” she replied candidly.

“You’re a peach. Shelly should be in by seven. If you need help before then, just holler, and I’ll come assist.”

“No problem.” She finished fastening her apron and headed out to the front.

She got a regular and decaf pot of coffee brewing before switching on the espresso machines and filling the grinders with fresh beans. Then she removed the pastries from the fridge and stocked the case, making sure to display all the offerings in a pleasing manner like she’d been taught.

They offered breakfast sandwiches too. But if a customer ordered one of those, all she had to do was remove it from the fridge and pop it into the toaster oven that cooked it in under a minute.

Then she double-checked that all the booths and tables were wiped clean. There weren’t many, so they filled up fast even though most people just stopped to pick up their morning jolt to go.

Once she ensured everything was stocked and ready for the morning barrage of customers, she poured her boss a cup of regular coffee. She added cream and two sugars, then took it back to his office.

“Bless you.” He blinked at her and took the coffee with a smile.

“I’m opening us up.”

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