Page 159 of The Owner's Temptation

It’s not even the word she dripped like sin between her lips.

It’s thedefiance.

The way she looks up at me like she’s innocent—like she isn’t the fucking reason I’m one heartbeat away from bending her over this desk and ruining every inch of her.

And sheknowsit.

This isn’t submission.

It’sseduction.

And she’s about to learn that when it comes to me… they’re not the same thing.

I take the whiskey from her hand and set it on the desk without a word.

I’m two seconds from grabbing her by the throat and telling her exactly how I plan to use that mouth—when a soft knock hits the doorframe.

Twice.

Fuck.

“Knock, knock,” Eve says, already halfway into the room.

Sienna movesfast.

She ducks her head andcrawlsunder my desk with the elegance of a predator, and suddenly I’m sitting here—raging hard, heart slamming against my ribs—as my training manager walks in like she owns the place.

Oh, nothing to see here, Eve. Just my brat trainee who’s been edging me through meetings for three hours nownestingunder my desk like a well-trained little whore.

Perfect.

“Lucian?” Eve says brightly, dropping into her usual leather chair across from me. “I need a word.”

“Not a good time,” I grit.

Under the desk, Sienna settles between my legs like she fucking belongs there. She does. And she knows it.

Her hands glide up my thighs, slow and featherlight, like she’s feeling out how far she can push me. My breath catches, but I don’t move. Don’tbreathe.

I can feel her smile when she finds my belt buckle.

I grip the arms of my chair, knuckles whitening, and force my gaze to meet Eve’s as she crosses one leg over the other and starts talking.

“I’ve been thinking about shifting how I handle contracts,” she says, smoothing down her pencil skirt. “I’m still one of the top-requested Companions, but I’m starting to feel like quantity is wearing me down. I want exclusivity.”

Sienna opens my belt. Theclickof the buckle sounds like thunder in my ears.

“Exclusive contracts?” I ask, voice even—too even.

“Mm-hmm,” Eve nods. “Same clientele. Fewer engagements. I’d be more like… a girlfriend for hire. A permanent Companion. Intimacy. Familiarity. All the benefits of a relationship without the messy strings.”

My zipper slides down.

My cock springs free—and Sienna’s fingers wrap around it like she wasbornfor this. Warm. Tight. Deliberate.

I force my jaw to stay loose, my breathing steady. “I’m assuming you have a few favorite clients in mind?”

She smirks. “Oh, you know me, Lucian. Ialwayshave favorites.”

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