Page 38 of Relentless Pursuit

“Umm...” She bit her lip. “I can’t go to the club.”

“Why not?”

“Julian asked me not to go.”

“I’m sure he meant not to go there to drink or hang out with other guys. Not to do a friend a favor. The friend who brought you there for him to meet up with in the first place. If it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have known your interests.”

“Connie, I don’t want to...”Disobey?Could she actually say that out loud? She agreed to be submissive in the bedroom, but did she have to do what he told her outside of it?

She looked at the expensive gift he’d sent her. Was that a payoff for great sex? Could she do something he specifically told her not to do after accepting such a stunning purse? Well, actually, she hadn’t accepted anything yet.

“Hello.” Connie interrupted Kayla’s craziness. “Will you come with me?”

The bag shouldn’t be a payoff. It was a gift. Julian wouldn’t give her something just because they were sleeping together. Connie was probably right. He meant that she shouldn’t go to the club to seek out potential matches. There was no reason to do that anymore. She was with him now. He would understand she wanted to help a friend out. Connie would do the same for her.

“I’ll go with you,” Kayla said. “Let me get changed.”

“Are you sure he’ll be okay with this?”

“Weren’t you the one who just told me he would be?”

“I don’t know what you guys agreed to.” Connie twirled her long, blonde hair around her finger. “I know he can be demanding. It’s just that I’d really like you to come with me, but I don’t want to cause any problems for you.”

“It’ll be fine. I’ll just stay until your date shows up. I’ll text Julian when I’m leaving and explain I was doing you a favor. I’m sure he won’t mind as long as I’m honest.”

“Thanks. You’re a real friend. I hope I find a match as good as the one you’re with.”

“You will.” Kayla headed for her bedroom. “There’s a match for everyone.”

* * *

Julian wentto the club straight from the airport. He wanted to go home and unwind after the last few days in Dallas, but he hadn’t been to Sapphire in almost a week, and he wouldn’t make it there this weekend either. He wanted to make sure Blake was okay and didn’t need any help with anything. It was kind of nice not having to show up there on a regular basis. He didn’t miss sifting through applications to find a potential match for himself. After being with Kayla last weekend, he realized why he could never be satisfied with the women Blake had found him. They weren’t Kayla.

The witness he’d gone to see didn’t work out the way he had hoped. The days were long and the nights more grueling knowing Kayla was in Manhattan and he wasn’t. Last weekend had been one of the best of his life. It wasn’t just the sex. That was definitely the best he’d ever experienced, but it was her. He couldn’t wait to explore more with her.

When the elevator doors opened to the main area of the club, Julian never expected to see her standing on the other side. If she wasn’t disobeying a direct request, he might have been happy to see her. Fuck, she looked sexy in that gray dress and matching boots. Her legs never seemed to end.

“Julian.” Her wide eyes displayed fear as she stood frozen with her phone in her hand and her new gift slung over her shoulder.

Yes, baby, I’ve totally busted you. Now what should I do about it?

“I was just texting you.” She held up her cell. “See.”

“What a coincidence.” He stepped off the elevator and took her by the arm.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh no, that’s my question for you.” He ushered her through the bar area and down the corridor to the room where they had dinner the night she’d had too much champagne. He unlocked the door with the swipe of his master keycard and moved her into the dark room, closing the door behind them. The only lighting was provided by the lights from the buildings shining in from the outside.

“I can explain.”

“I haven’t asked for an explanation yet.”I’m in control, not you.He stared into her eyes until she dropped her gaze to the floor.That’s better.

He had to think for a moment. She was far too new for him to properly punish her, but if he let this indiscretion slip, there would be others. How could he gain her submission if he didn’t correct her mistakes? He had to let her know how serious he was.

“I see you received my gift.” He removed his phone and wallet from his pocket and placed it on the table beside him.

“Yes, thank you. It’s beautiful.” She stepped toward him, but he held up his hand to stop her. “I was texting you just now to tell you I got the package. It was there when I got home from work, and then Connie stopped by and she wanted, well, needed me to come here with her tonight. She’s being matched and didn’t want to show up alone.”

---