Page 22 of Relentless Pursuit

“What?” His voice was low, breathless. Where the hell did she want to go?

“My date is waiting,” she reminded him.

“You’d go back and sit with him, knowing I’m holding these?” He held up the scrap of lace.

“Who knows?” She winked. “Maybe he’ll discover all on his own that I’m not wearing any.”

She hurried back into the club, leaving him restless, stunned, and so fucking hard.

Chapter 6

Kayla headed down the hallway, stopping before she reached the dining room. She leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath and regain her composure. Why did she allow him to rattle her so? She had wanted this man since she was fifteen. She’d even written his name in her notebooks with hearts around it.Silly girl.He was nothing more than a schoolgirl crush, but now he was within her grasp. He was right. She had no experience dealing with a man like him.

She’d researched the submissive lifestyle because it had piqued her interest. She had a friend in college who’d been into some things and spoke about the benefits it brought her. Kayla never imagined it was anything she could try until she met Connie and she introduced her to the club. Kayla thought Sapphire might be a safe place for her to explore her darker desires. She never expected she’d have the opportunity to do that with Julian. Were playing out her fantasies something she could do with a man she had dreamed about all of those years ago? The first man she’d ever desired?

The game had changed ever since she’d encountered him in the club. The dynamics were slowly turning, and now he was interested in her. Aware that she existed and not just as his best friend’s little sister. After all this time, she was getting what she wanted. But would she know what to do with him once she had him?

Only one way to find out...

Once she had regained her focus, she made her way to Blake’s office, hoping to find Julian. He was a determined man, and he needed an equal match. She was certain it could be her. Maybe not immediately, but with his guidance, she could become everything he needed in a woman. Even the things he didn’t know he wanted. She could be all of it and more.

She pushed open the door to find him sitting at the desk, his focus on the screen in front of him. He’d loosened his tie and unbuttoned his crisp, white shirt. His five o’clock shadow had begun to set in, dusting that strong jaw of his, sprawling down his chin. She itched to rub her cheek along the rough stubble on his face. A shiver ran down her spine when she thought about how he’d be rough in other ways. His hands wouldn’t be as gentle when he gripped her hips, pulling her toward him as he entered her with a force she was certain she’d never experienced before.

“Are you going to stand in the doorway all night?” His stern, deep voice startled her.

Instead of moving forward, she stepped back. Her cheeks burned with a not so hidden desire as her heart pounded hard. Did he know what she had been thinking? He hadn’t looked up from the computer, but he knew. He knew everything.

She moved in his direction, but stopped when she spied her panties on the desk.

Without looking up from the screen he pointed to her intimates. “Do you want those back?” He continued to type. Always so calm and collected.

Now it was her turn to show she could keep up with him. Something told her this was her last shot. She shut the door behind her and made her way into the room.

“I want you to have them.” She stood in front of the desk, dropping her head and waiting for him to react. Would he look up from that freakin’ computer? His eyes were on her. Even without glancing at him, she could sense his intense gaze looking her over, trying to decide if she was absolutely sure of what she was doing. She wasn’t, but that didn’t seem to matter.

“Come here.” He rolled the leather office chair away from the desk.

She went closer to him, stopping when she was in front of him.

“In my lap.” He tugged her down, her skirt hiked high on her thighs. “That’s better.”

“You’re not messing around, are you?” She swallowed her fear, knowing she had to pass his unspoken test if she expected this to go any further.

“There’s a time for play, but first, I’ll need to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into. I’m not the man you dreamed about. Whoever you’ve built me up to be in your mind, you’ll have to let go of. If you’re looking for a refined, perfect man, I’m not him. My needs are darker. I have an eclectic palate, one I’d like to explore with you, but only if you’re certain.”

“I’m here.”

“I’m still not sure why that is, but since you insist that you need to keep coming back...” He slipped his fingers under her skirt, skimming her thighs. “You need someone who knows what they’re doing and who can make sure you get what you’re seeking.”

“And you think that’s you?”

“I know that’s me.”

“But don’t you think this is a bad idea?”

“Iknowthis is a bad idea.” He spread her legs apart, gripping her thighs hard enough to leave a mark on her tender flesh.

“Then why are you pursuing me?”

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