Page 55 of Auctioned Surrender

She sighs, and the sweet, sexy sound sends a streak of desire straight to my groin. “I think we both know I’m not going to charge you or anyone. There are some things that I’m not at liberty to share with you. They’re not dishonest or illegal, but I can’t share right now. I’m sorry about that, Dereck, because I do appreciate your willingness to help me today. A confrontation with R.J. would not have been good for anyone involved, especially me.”

I hold her gaze steady with my own. I’ve received a well thought-out response and a calculated brush off to get me out of her affairs. “I told you earlier, if you need help, ask. It’s okay to want someone to look after you, princess.”

The hard-ass Layla portrays to the world may not need anyone to take care of her, but her soft, submissive side likes it very much, and there’s no way for her to conceal this from someone who’s watching for it as intently as me.

The wine is starting to take effect, and Layla’s face lights up with a soft, sensuous smile, causing her bright white teeth to glimmer against the red tint of her lips. “I’ve never had anyone looking out for me. I would be lying if I told you it wasn’t nice, but timing is everything, and right now, things aren’t exactly good for me,” Layla says softly.

“You’ve never had someone who has your best interests at heart and has nothing to gain by doing it?”

She assesses me for a moment, grappling for a response, perhaps from her outward persona, but her softer side hasn’t completely diminished. Layla’s submissive desires lay right below the surface, bubbling and shining through her expressive brown eyes. She responds to my question almost shyly, looking at me with wide, honest brown eyes while tugging on the very core of my dominance.

“Never.”

“Now you do.” Letting harm come to this dark-haired beauty is not something I will allow, even if it wasn’t part of the assignment because the attraction between the two of us is magnetic and intense; something I don’t think either of us can deny.

Layla smiles, and then, as if rethinking her position, or remembering her hard-ass attitude, she sets her wine glass down with a thud. She may have just given me a small glimpse into her softer side, but now her features have turned pensive. “I know how to take care of myself, Dereck. I don’t belong to you, so there’s no responsibility on your part for my safety. I’ll be okay. I’ve been taking risks my entire life, it seems, but thank you for the offer.”

My phone beeps, and I mentally curse the intrusion. I glance at the message and decide that it will keep for a while, turning my attention back to the pensive young lady across from me. “You’re welcome. So who do you belong to, princess? Who treasures you, protects you, and keeps your bed warm at night? R.J.? Is he the one, because a party of three is most definitely not my scene.”

Layla contemplates my question, and a myriad of emotions pass over the depths of those deep brown eyes, and then she smiles. A broad smile that lights up her entire face like she’s just toppled onto the best secret, or response, in the world. “I told you, papi. I don’t belong to anyone. The truth is, it’s been a long, long time since I was really with someone, but R.J. thinks I belong to him, and by his definition, I probably do.”

If she thinks she’s fooling me, she’s not. That smile was because she found a way to circumvent a lie, but now she seems wary of whatever dilemma she finds herself in and gestures toward the phone. “Is that about R.J.?”

I demand honesty in any relationship, platonic or other, and that’s what she’ll get from me in return, regardless of consequence. “No, princess. I had the security team escort R.J. off the property, but his lackeys are still lurking around the perimeter. This message is just letting me know that part of an in-depth report I’ve requested into your background was just sent to my email.”

If I didn’t know she had something to hide before, I certainly do now. She tries to mask her fear, but it’s too late. I’ve already seen the gold flecks flash in those lovely brown eyes, and the tightening of her jawline is a clear giveaway. I’m prepared for Layla to tell me to mind my own business or lament about the fact that she’s quite capable of taking care of herself, but that’s not what this passionate, dark-haired beauty is bringing.

Layla daintily dabs her lips with a napkin and lays it down. “Is the invasion of a person’s privacy something you find acceptable in your— what did you call them, trusting relationships? It may be customary in your world, but in mine, it’s just plain old-fashioned stalkerish, and I won’t put up with it!”

I’m unable to control the upward tip of my lips as this fiery beauty lights into me about invading her privacy when all I’m trying to do is protect her. I start to say something, but she and her short-fused temper are far from done. I decide to sit back and enjoy the tirade until it plays itself out.

Layla holds up her hand as if to ward off my non-existent defense. “Stop, just stop talking. I am so mad at you right now. How can you think this is okay? Any part of this? Tell me that? Tell me now!”

I try hard not to laugh. “I’m trying to protect you, princess.”

Layla glares at me, and her lips purse with annoyance. “I told you, I don’t need or want your help. I can’t go home since all of R.J.’s goon squad is lurking around waiting for me. I’m stuck inthis condo with you.” Layla huffs as if that’s the absolute worst thing in the world.

I watch with unabashed amusement, and this does nothing to diminish her temper.

“I’ve had enough of this day! I’m going to take a bath, curl up with a good book, get a good night's sleep, and when I get up, hopefully, I won’t see your smug-looking face.”

“Well, that certainly doesn’t sound half as fun as what I had in mind, but suit yourself, princess. There’s always tomorrow.” I take another sip of my red.

Her mouth opens wide, and she narrows her eyes at me. She starts to say something, thinks better of it, and then spins on her bare toes.

“Good night, princess.”

A resounding bang and a click as she makes sure the door is entirely closed causes me to chuckle. I glance at my watch, gauging how long it will take before the fiery dark-haired beauty returns to find out what I know about all of her secrets.

Chapter 6

Layla

Although freshly showered, a hot bubble bath in this fantastic whirlpool tub sounds like heaven. I’m all about anything that will keep me in here and away from that arrogant damn man who’s somehow managed to wiggle under my skin like an irritating little thorn you can’t get rid of for anything. I select a playlist, turn on the water to the tub, and choose a scented bath gel from the ledge's assortment before emptying the contents into the now frothing water. I undress and sink deep into the bathwater until the water foams and swirls around my neck, and the bubbling relaxation starts to soak into my senses.

Dereck makes me so mad I could spit, and my girlie bits so needy that I could wilt right in front of him. He rattles all of my senses straight out the window. I need to cool myself down, shake it off, get to the club tomorrow, and put this day, Dereck, and everything that happened far behind me and focus.

I’ll catch R.J. right before the big show. He won’t be able to do anything to me until after that, not without losing a load of money from the regulars he’s been stringing along all week with promises of a big pole show from yours truly tomorrow night. I’ll pretend to come clean with him, tell him the thought of taking Dereck and his friend up on their offer of buying a private showhad crossed my mind. I’ll let him know I wasn’t going to go through with it and time it so that as soon as I drop that little morsel, the MC will call me onto the dance stage.

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