Page 45 of Beneath the Blindfold

“No, I do,” he said instantly. “Fuck, you have no idea how much I want to.” He threw a hand toward the table. “But like this? The first time we . . .” His posture stiffened. “The table you’re sitting on, it ain’t right for that. It isn’tspecialenough for you.”

I softened, understanding what he meant, but this was important. I needed him to see I was okay with what this club was. Yet, I felt like I was losing him. “You said this place was an experience.” I slicked my sweaty palms down over my leather-clad thighs. “We don’t have to have sex, we could do other . . . stuff.”

He blinked slowly. “What’re you offering?”

His question sparked an idea. “Isn’t that how it starts here? With negotiations?” I dragged a seductive smile across my lips. “I want this. What do you want? What can I give you to make this happen?”

He let out a half of a laugh, making a sound like I was crazy, and grinned. It froze on his face as he grew serious. “A date.”

“A date?” I repeated, not expecting such a simple demand.

“Yeah, a real fucking date at some fancy restaurant, where you let me pay for everything.”

A laugh welled up inside me. “Now I’m concerned for your business, because you don’t seem to get how negotiating works. You’re supposed to ask for stuff Idon’twant.”

One long stride and he was back at the edge of the table, his face only inches from mine. His voice was commanding. “You’re gonna wear that red dress you wore to your sister’s thing when she got engaged.”

My mouth went dry. I’d met Julius, Kyle and his girlfriend Ruby for drinks after my sister’s engagement party two weeks ago. The red dress was short and had a plunging neckline. I’d bought it to make myself feel better. Tariq’s adultery wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t on me. I was older now, but I still looked damn good, and the dress was a reminder I could be sexy.

I could be . . . wanted.

“After dinner,” Julius continued, his tone confident, “you’re gonna come back to my place and stay the night. I’m not talking about fucking. I want you in my bed. I want towake up next to you. You asked what I want, and that’s it.”

I nearly melted down the side of the table, not just from his words, but the way he set his powerful, dark hands gently on my knees and slid them up my thighs. His touch was electricity, sparking across my skin.

“Deal?” he asked.

I choked out the terms in an eager voice. “You show me what it’s like on this table, and I’ll give you a date and wear the red dress.” I set my hands on top of his and curled my fingers around them, inching his hold up onto my waist. “I’ll spend the night in your bed.”

I was sure we’d do a heck of a lot more than just sleep, but it was sexy to leave the promise unspoken. He tipped his head down and sealed his lips over mine. This kiss was slow, but just as intense as the last one, and I tightened my grip on his.

He didn’t confirm the deal with words. Instead, when the kiss was over, he went to the door and pushed it closed. He lingered, facing the wall with his broad back to me, and he put his hand on a hip.

“Deiondre,” he said. “I’m in room two and taking out my earpiece. Nobody knocks on the door unless it’s really fucking important, got it?”

Whatever answer he received, it seemed to satisfy him. Julius turned to face me, and as he peeled off his suit coat, he strode toward the white chair. The coat was folded neatly and set on the cushion. He unhooked the earpiece with spiraled cord, tugged the small battery pack attached to his waist, and set the communication system down on top of the coat.

A tremble of excitement began at my ankles and worked its way up to my knees as he locked his gaze on me. Then, he began to unbutton the cuffs of his black dress shirt. He rolled his sleeves back to the elbow, showing off his strong forearms. His skin was darker than Tariq’s, and much more beautiful. I couldn’t wait to see more of Julius.

“You gonna get naked?” he teased, but again, there was a hidden edge, like he was worried I was going to change my mind. “Want my help?” he asked lightly.

I wasn’t normally shy, but I was nervous having him out of reach. “Do you want to take my clothes off?”

“It’s not about me right now. It’s whatever you want.”

I slid down off the table to stand beside it. “Okay. I want you to do it.”

The room was charged with energy and my body was a live wire. His eyes hooded at my request, and he complied, dipping his fingers under the hem of my top and slowly working it up. Our gazes were fixed on each other, broken only for a second as he tugged the shirt over my head, and dropped it silently to the floor.

His Adam’s apple bobbed with a thick swallow.

I stood absolutely still as his fingers landed at the button of my pants and undid it. He inched my zipper down, but his eyes never strayed from mine. It was like he found my eyes more interesting than the skin he was revealing.

I gasped when he put his hands under my arms and lifted, seating me on the table. Then, he slipped off my heels and tugged my pants off, one leg at a time. My chest rose and fell with my hurried breath, and then quit moving altogether as his hands crept along my body, his fingertips searching for the hooks at the back of my bra.

His mouth was damp and warm against the side of my neck, planting kisses there as tension released from the band and my bra came undone. Oh, shit. This was the moment of no return. I was about to be topless.

He must have sensed my hesitation. “Okay?”

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