Page 3 of Hawke

I was about to start listing the services my company offered when he walked to the door and locked it. I ignored the feeling of impending doom I suddenly felt, and nervously chewed on my bottom lip. Feeling his gaze on me once more, I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.

“Do you have any idea what type of place Syn is, Miss Maxwell?”

I shook my head slightly, growing more confused by the second. “A nightclub?”

He chuckled, and the throaty sound had my core clenching.

What the hell?

I couldn’t understand my body’s response to the simplest of things like a fleeting glance or even his laugh.

“Syn is a BDSM club,” he said in a low tone, watching me for any reaction.

If he thought I’d simply turn tail and run, he was mistaken. Raising my chin to the man, I tried to ignore the heat rising in my cheeks. “Oh!”

My heart rate began to accelerate, so when Nathaniel stepped closer, invading my personal space, I couldn’t help but remember the last time I’d been at one. Those memories were not ones I liked to focus on, and knowing there was a possibility I could be thrust back into that world, it should’ve had me running in the opposite direction.

“I assume you’re somewhat aware of what happens inside of one?” he asked, and when I nodded, he continued, “Then you should know that confidentiality is paramount.”

“I’ve read about those types of clubs before.”

“You must be referring to erotic romance,” he replied. “While most of those authors are talented spinners of words, one is delusional to think that true love actually exists.”

I could’ve argued with him, but I refused to open that Pandora’s box. Instead, I decided to go the more politically correct route with my response.

“And you, Mr. Hawkins, are jaded to think otherwise. Whether we agree on love’s existence or not, it doesn’t affect any services you receive from Platinum Dreams, assuming you choose us to handle the planning of your event.”

Nathaniel studied me with curiosity, and something that looked akin to desire. While I once fancied myself a submissive, I no longer did. That all changed one mortifying night in Washington, D.C.

Finally, he grinned. “That’s very true, Miss Maxwell. I’ve compiled a list of requirements, and I have them all in this folder.”

I watched as he retrieved a manila file off his desk, then handed it to me. I accepted it from him, and I was about to open it until he placed his hand on mine.

“Take this with you and review it overnight. If your company is prepared to follow my every instruction down to the letter, then you’ll find a contract for services on the last page. Once it’s signed, you can fax it back to me.”

I smiled. “You sound very sure of yourself, Mr. Hawkins. If I’m not amenable to all your demands, is there room for any possible negotiation?”

“No!” The word was final and absolute. “If I don’t hear back from you by noon tomorrow, I’ll move on to your competitor. Now, I need to get back out front to oversee construction.”

“I’m sure I’ll be back in touch,” I told him as I walked to the door.

“Maybe you will, or maybe you won’t, Miss Maxwell. It makes no difference to me either way,” he stated matter-of-factly, then added, “You’re dismissed.”

Dismissed!

I did my best to keep the spark of anger from igniting. This asshole was so smug and rude, yet still, I could almost see myself bent over a spanking table, letting him have his way with me. Shaking off those thoughts, I then exited the office. I didn’t dare to look at anything else on my way out, holding my breath until the cold, mountain air hit my flushed cheeks.

I clutched the file and stuffed it into my briefcase before hurrying back to my car. I was very interested to see what his demands were, but I would wait until I got back to my office to read them. As long as he didn’t want anything illegal, I couldn’t imagine not being able to accommodate him otherwise.

3 – CHARLOTTE

Parking my car in the same garage I had the day before, I opened my briefcase and grabbed the contract from inside. I felt like tearing the damn thing in half, and just allowing him to pick one of my competitors like he’d already threatened to do. But, I just couldn’t simply let things end like that.

As I’d skimmed through the pages and thought about Nathaniel Hawkins, I realized why he’d seemed so familiar. He was the one who had left me bound and vulnerable at that club in Washington, D.C.

“Unfuckingbelievable!”

My hands shook as I tried to retain my composure. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t connected the dots earlier. Maybe it had to do with the fact Nathaniel looked nothing like I’d imagined he would.

---