Page 32 of Power

The way he had used me to give him head had been devoid of any emotion, but it had still turned me on.Am I so messed up that I enjoyed the way he used me?

He could deny his feelings for me, but he couldn’t deny our chemistry. We were explosive when we were together. But Nat was onto something. Whatever happened between us, I still wanted my letter of recommendation, and maybe itwouldbe easier to move on later if we just kept the relationship sexual. Getting emotionally involved with a crime lord wasn’t the best move for a career-oriented woman like me.

“You have a point,” I said, my head heavy with thoughts.

“Maybe you should show him what he’s missing out on.” Nat pulled my hand and led me to the storefront of a lingerie shop. Mannequins scantily clad in luxurious satin and lace pieces posed in the window.

I wasn’t the type to wear sexy lingerie and sashay around a man for attention. I preferred my comfortable cotton bras and panties to lace.

“I dunno, Nat. You know that’s not my style.” I tugged on my knitted cap uncomfortably.

“Sure, it is! Don’t knock it ’til you try it. I vote you wear something to make him forget about every stripper he’s ever met.”

Eyeing a sexy black lace bra-and-panty set with matching stockings and a garter belt was enough to convince me. I was pretty sure I’d end up in his bed again because I couldn’t stay away, and I wanted to bring him to his knees. Without saying a word, I made my way to the front door of the shop and went inside.

“Hell yeah!” Nat exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air as she followed me. “I raised you well.”

•••

Shortly after reaching home with my shopping bags in hand, Shyam sent me a text. He wanted to have a meeting about the search with Jai and me at his weekend house. A car would arrive in one hour to drop me there.

I didn’t have much time to get ready and pack my laptop bag. I eyed the shopping bags on the floor, particularly the small pink one with the fancy black calligraphy scrawled across the front.

I had just found my motivation to get ready quickly.

Chapter XX

Amelia

The car arrived right on time to pick me up. The driver helped me into the car as usual, and I settled into my seat because the drive would be a long one. I had brought my laptop for the meeting, so I could always use that for entertainment if I got bored.

I unbuttoned my coat to avoid overheating in the warm car. I had decided on a black wrap dress that showed a hint of cleavage. Underneath, I wore the lingerie set I had seen in the store window. I had never worn stockings or a garter belt. I wasn’t used to this level of underwear, but the minute I put it all on and stood in front of the mirror, I felt sexy. My posture was straighter, and I liked how my body looked. I had always felt like my boobs were too small and my hips were too wide, but surprisingly, I thought I looked damn good in my new lingerie. I knew this was a business meeting with Jai in attendance, but knowing what I had on underneath gave me the courage I would need to face Shyam.

I had ended up pinning my hair up into a low bun, leaving out tendrils to frame my face. I had kept my makeup sophisticated by lining my eyes with black eyeliner and dusting my lids with taupe eyeshadow to play up my eye color. My lips were nude, but I had lined them before applying gloss to give a cleaner look.

I still had an aversion to high heels.They were pointlessly painful, in my opinion. Instead, I had opted for some black knee-high boots with three-inch heels for more support. I could still walk in them, but they gave me a little extra height, which always came in handy when facing off with such a tall and powerful man.

I was confused about my feelings for Shyam. I couldn’t just turn off the part that cared for him. I understood his reasons for remaining uncommitted, but I hadn’t expected him to be seeing strippers or whoever while seeing me.

That was the part that annoyed me most. He had made it sound like he wanted to whore around, but something in me knew that wasn’t who he really was. I was sure he had a vivid past with women, but he had been engaged. He had probably been faithful to Salena, since he was so adamant about respecting monogamous relationships. I hadn’t even considered marriage yet, let alone to Shyam, but I was jealous of what he’d had with Salena. I wondered if their sexual chemistry had been as heavy as ours.

He had put distance between us, not even kissing me after the day he had charged into my apartment. However, the fire between us was too strong to be dimmed by his control. I could see it every time he glanced at me in passing at work—the hunger and desire. Our attraction was the one thing he couldn’t control, and I secretly loved that.

As the driver pulled into the garage port, I realized I had spent the entire ride mulling over our situation in my mind. I was buzzed into the elevator, and it took me to the living area. As I stepped into the space, I was greeted by Jai.

“Hey, doll. How’s it going?” He kissed my cheek to greet me, like I was a member of his family.

“Hey. Not too bad.” My mouth formed into a genuine smile. I had been anxious about coming back to this house, but seeing Jai eased my nerves.

“Here, let me take your coat,” he said as he moved to help me slide it off my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I said, pulling my arms free.

“Look at you.” He took a long look at my outfit and whistled in approval. “Hot date tonight?”

I blushed, unsure of how to respond. Just then, Shyam walked into the room and approached us. He was dressed in a white button-down shirt and navy dress slacks. His tie was gone, and his top buttons were undone, showing a hint of his hard chest. He was mouth-watering perfection. His smoldering eyes took in my figure from head to toe. I felt a shiver as he inspected me. His jaw clenched as his gaze combed my body.

“She looks fiiine, doesn’t she?” Jai asked, cutting through the tension that surrounded us.

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