Page 8 of Relentless Pursuit

“This could end in a real clusterfuck,” Blake warned. “Her brother is a very good friend of yours. That’s not a good idea.”

“Agreed.”

“I’m not taking responsibility for any disaster you cause. If you go after her, you better follow protocol. Safe, sane, and consensual.”

“Are you serious?” He was almost offended. “I’m the only man here who will make sure she doesn’t get pushed too far.” He cringed when he thought about the places she could have ended up in her search for submission.

“As far as you’re concerned you’re theonlyman for the job, but you know that’s not true. We have a whole club full of men who are up for the challenge.”

Julian glared at his cousin.

“This one has the potential to bite you in the ass. A girl you’ve known since she was a kid, and you’re friends with her brother. What part could you think is a good idea?”

Jack could be a problem, but maybe Julian would scare Kayla off before it got that far.

“Don’t worry about me.”

“I never do.”

“Good,” Julian said. “Now you have one less thing on your plate.”

“Two if you count your application. It appears you’ve matched yourself. Now, I have to deal with all those disappointed women you won’t be tying to your bed this go round.”

There is only one woman I want spread out before me.

Chapter 3

On Friday evening, Kayla sat at a table in the meeting lounge, waiting for a companion she thought would be joining her. Julian had observed her for a few minutes, taking in her long, tanned legs. Tonight, she wore a black halter top and a pair of skinny jeans. Her hair was blown out sleek, and he noted how the caramel highlights shimmered under the moonlight that shined in from the surrounding windows. It had reminded him of the night of the wedding. When he stumbled upon her on the terrace, he hadn’t meant to engage her, but just like tonight, her beauty had overwhelmed him and he lost his inner battle. He swore to himself he’d leave her alone, but it was too late for that. When he helped her with her application for Princeton, he’d seen her in a different light. She had morphed into a stunning eighteen-year-old, supple and so wrong for him and his corrupted techniques in the bedroom. That night on the terrace, he wanted to hold her one time before walking away. And now, four years later, there she was. Tempting him in ways she shouldn’t.

He had to be certain that what she had put on her paperwork was what she really wanted. Did she think this was a game?

“Waiting for someone?” He took the seat across from her, placing his tablet on the table.

When she looked up at him, she smiled. Was she happy to see him?

“Probably not you,” she said. “I hear you’re not easily matched.”

“I’m selective.” The intention of this little meet and greet was to measure how serious she was in being matched with a dominant man. A man she would surrender to completely. “You should be too.”

“Well, my potential date is already ten minutes late.”

“No, he isn’t.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m only eight minutes late, but I’ve been standing over there,” he said, motioning toward the doorway, “for five minutes, observing you. We’re going to have to do something about that fidgeting of yours.”

“You’re my date?”

“No.”

“But you just said—”

“I’m meeting with you to go over a few things on your list.” He flipped opened the tablet. “I have some concerns.”

“You read my papers?” Running her hand through her shiny locks, she let out a slow breath. “I thought they were confidential.”

“I’m not going to post them online,” he said. “I own this club. I have access to the files. If you’re embarrassed that I saw them, what are you going to do when you have to get naked and do these things with a complete stranger?”Like that’s ever going to happen.

“Why are you even looking at them?”

“Because I can,” he simply stated. He didn’t owe her an explanation, and if she expected one, she’d be waiting a long time.

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