Page 14 of A Kiss at Midnight

Mustering all of the confidence I can, I begin sauntering toward Blake. My body language makes it seem like I want him, and nothing more. I undo the buttons of my jacket, and let it fall from my shoulders as I move toward him, a little thrilled at his sharp intake of breath as his eyes rake me over from head to toe.

I might not have the greatest body in the world, but it’s pretty dang good... thanks to excellent genetics. Fear lurks beneath my skin, but much to my surprise there are also stirrings of excitement... something I don’t want to analyze when the stakes are so damn high.

I stop in front of Blake, only a couple of feet between us. I’ve never done this before and I’m not quite sure what I’m supposed to do next. I can’t show my indecision to him, but I really don’t know what to do next.

“Are you happy being here, Jewel?” Blake asks, not moving to touch me.

What a strange question for him to ask. No, I’m not happy to be here, I’m forced to be here. But it’s not him forcing me, it’s my own decisions that have brought me to this place in life.

“I’m pleased to be here,” I finally say, the lie easily rolling off my tongue. I’ve never been good at lying and I don’t like how easy it is for me to do right now.

His lips turn up in a sardonic smile as I do my best to keep looking him in the eyes. I can’t tell what he’s thinking, though I’m sure my own face is an open book no matter how hard I’m trying to hide what I’m feeling from him.

“No. You aren’t thrilled to be here, but give it some time and I guarantee you’ll be begging me to not let you go.”

I want to put a dent in the man’s ego, but that’s not what I’m here to do. My job is to make him feel good, to make him desire me.

“I assure you there’s nowhere else I’d rather be, and though I’m sure it will be a disappointment for me when our time ends, I have no doubt we’ll go our separate ways when we’re finished getting what we want from each other.”

He laughs. “Did you memorize that speech from a learner’s manual?” He tilts his head as if trying to read me, trying to solve a puzzle and not quite sure how.

“Of course not, Mr. Astor. I find youveryattractive and I’m sure you’re not an easy man to walk away from.”

“Then prove to me that you’re happy to be here, that you want to be mine,” he says, his voice calm, almost mocking. “Prove to me we can have an... arrangement together.” This is it. This is what I’m here for. I either go all in now, or I run... which way am I going to go?

Chapter Review

Chapter Eight

Jewel

There’s no doubt Blakeis testing me. If he doesn’t like what I do next, he might send me packing. Not only will this little game be over, but I’ll most likely lose my job on top of it. I’ve made a calculated risk... and I dang well better follow through or I’m screwed... and not in a good way.

There’s a small part of me that wants him to reject me. If I don’t manage to sell my body and save my brother, it won’t be because I didn’t try, but because I was rejected. As soon as this thought flits through my mind, guilt eats away at me. Justin needs me and Iwillbe here for him... even if it makes me hate myself. Justin will never have to know what I’ve done to get him back... and I’ll have to forgive myself for my sins.

“How do you want me to prove myself?” I hope I’m making my voice sufficiently sexy.

He grins, looking utterly relaxed in his chair. “Be creative.”

Hesitating only another second, I step forward and lean down, allowing my breasts to brush lightly against the smooth material of his suit jacket. The small contact makes my nipples harden and my breath hitch. Maybe I won’t have to do much acting with this man, because he creates sensations in my untouched body that are unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.

When he doesn’t show the slightest sign that he approves of my attempt to be seductive, I lean in closer and run my slender fingers up the sleeves of his jacket and embrace his neck. I lean against him and kiss his jaw, then trail my lips across his firm chin and down the side of his neck.

Am I having any effect at all on this seemingly untouchable man? I trace the side of his neck with my forefinger to test his pulse. It’s beating rapidly. Yes! He isn’t as cool and collected as he’s making himself appear. This gives me the strength to continue, though I’m far from a seductress and have no clue what to do next. I’ll have to listen to what my body tells me to do.

I don’t get the chance to do that.

Blake stands as his hands snake around me, and he pulls me tightly to him, then reaches into my neatly coiffed hair, quickly loosening my locks so they fall over my shoulders. Grasping a handful of my hair, he forces my head back, leaving me far too exposed, my neck a succulent dish for him to feast upon.

This is fast... almost too much, too soon. I want to pull away... but know that I can’t. This is going to happen no matter what, so isn’t it better that he takes whatever he wants instead of me trying to figure out what to give him?

Without a word, he leans forward and his lips crush mine, punishing me for something I’m not aware I’ve done. He doesn’t ask for permission to invade my mouth; he simply thrusts his tongue forward, diving between my gasping lips, while one hand moves down my back and grabs my derrière.

As quickly as he begins the kiss, he pulls back, and once my lids flutter open, I gaze at the fire in his eyes.

“You make me want to do things I shouldn’t,” he growls before turning us and leaning me backward over his desk.

He pushes his hand up my side and scorches my skin as he slowly moves over the mound of my breast and squeezes. The feel of his palm against my covered nipple undoes me. I’m barely conscious that we’re in his office with the door open. But my desire is too great to care. He leans down and takes my lips once more.

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