She’d dressed for the occasion.
The man’s slight smile appeared understanding. “Then I’ll make myself scarce.” He held out a little black disk that looked like a car remote. She took it without thinking. “When you’re ready to leave or should you need anything, press this. Have a good night.”
He nodded, turned on his heel, and disappeared down a hallway on the opposite side of the house.
A panic button? Seriously?
She couldn’t decide if she should be relieved or amused.
Okay, girl. It’s now or never
.
Debt free with enough left over to finance her dream, all for one night in a man’s bed?
Or back to working for minimum wage and trying to dig out from a mountain of bills for the rest of her life?
She turned and headed down the hall.
Chapter Two
The strong knock made Erik smile, which pulled at the tight skin of his jaw. The pain was negligible but a reminder of why he’d come up with this plan to get Julianne into bed.
From the first moment he’d seen her, dressed in the buttoned-up, black-and-white uniform of a catering waitress, he’d wanted her.
Julianne Carter had long, dark hair, deep brown eyes, curves that wouldn’t quit and a frail mother with a mountain of debt. She could have any man she wanted. And she’d never want him.
As beautiful as she was, she’d take one look at him and run the other way. This was the only way he’d ever get close to her.
He’d gotten used to seeing the shock on a person’s face. He didn’t want to see it on hers. He’d had so much taken away from him over the past two years. But he wanted her, or at least as much pleasure as he could get from watching Keegan fuck her.
And damn it, he was going to get it, even if it took deception and money. Everyone had their price. He’d learned that the hard way.
Anyway, it wasn’t like she wouldn’t get something out of the bargain. She needed the money. And she’d get Keegan.
If things worked the way he planned, she’d never even see him. And if they went better than planned… Well, then she wouldn’t see much of him.
Getting up, he retreated to the far side of the room, where the shadows would hide him, but where he could see everything in the firelight.
“Go ahead. Let her in.”
Keegan scowled at him, his normally easy-going expression nowhere in sight. God damn it, Keegan would screw the whole deal by scaring her off before she ever got in the room.
But Erik would frighten her more. Hell, he frightened his own parents. Keegan was the only one who didn’t look at him with horror and pity.
The horror he could take. The pity…not at all.
Keegan knew that, which was why he took a deep breath and let the tension bleed away before he opened the door. The man was a damn good actor. He could’ve had a huge career on the screen.
Dim light from the hallway spilled into the room, though it didn’t reach far enough to expose him.
And then she walked through the door.
Holy hell, she was fucking gorgeous.
He clamped down on the urge to groan. His cock hardened in his jeans, his lust for her so fucking hot, he swore he could taste it.
She made him wanted to walk out of the shadows, throw her naked on a bed and fuck her until she was so sated she couldn’t see straight. Scars be damned.
But he couldn’t take the chance of scaring her away.
She’d been curious enough to open the proposal he’d sent through Carol, their friend and business manager. When Carol had said Julianne had accepted the offer, he hadn’t let himself hope she’d actually show up. And now that she was here, he didn’t think he’d be able to keep his hands to himself.
He’d told Keegan he only wanted to watch.
He’d been lying. He wanted to do so much more.
* * *
Julianne recognized the handsome man who opened the door, though she couldn’t place the face.
He nodded, no hint of a smile on his face. “Come in. I’m…glad to see you made it.”
Wow, nice voice with the hint of an accent. Irish? Scottish? She wasn’t sure. Whatever it was, it sounded amazing.
The nervous energy gathering in her gut began to dissipate as her sensual, adventurous side responded to him.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to come,” she admitted. “But when you offer a girl five-hundred-thousand dollars to have sex with you, it certainly grabs her attention.”
She swore she saw the faintest hint of a blush color his cheeks. What the hell? This was his deal. Why would he be embarrassed?
Still, it boosted her confidence. She
would
carry this off. She needed that damn money.
And this guy certainly wasn’t hard on the eyes. His dark brown hair glinted red in the firelight and was a little longer than business casual, with waves that made her want to sink her fingers in them. Blue, blue eyes, a strong nose and beautifully curved mouth. And cheeks covered with absolutely adorable freckles.
He looked about ten years older than her so that made him early thirties. Didn’t make a difference. Age meant little to her. Unless he was old enough to be her grandfather. Then, yes, that obviously was a problem.
But why would a guy who looked like him need to bribe a girl to sleep with him?
Waving her into the room, he closed the door behind her. She almost expected to hear the click of a lock. She was surprised when he left the door cracked just enough that she could see it.
Had he done that for her?
“Would you like a drink?” He motioned toward a fully stocked bar on the other side of the room from the roaring fireplace. “And can I take your coat?”
Did she hear a hint of nerves in his voice? Was he afraid she’d leave?
Surprisingly, she really wanted to stay.
“I’ll take some white wine if you have it.”
As for the coat… Maybe it’d be best just to get this part over with. She’d worn her warmest, a down stadium jacket that covered her from neck to knees. Not only because the temperature outside hovered close to zero but because she wasn’t wearing all that much underneath.
As he nodded and turned toward the bar, she unzipped. While he had his back to her, she took a deep breath and let it fall to the floor.
And swore she heard the distinct sound of a man drawing in a sharp breath. But she was pretty sure it hadn’t come from the man standing at the bar.
Her gaze searched the darkened corners of the room, which was bigger than she’d first realized. Much bigger. Someone could hide in that darkness and she’d never know they were there. Unless they made a sound.
Was
there someone else in the room with them?
“You’re beautiful.”
Her attention returned to the man she could see. He’d turned back to her and now she saw lust in every line of his face.
His desire emboldened her and she walked toward him with her head high and her gaze pinning him in place.
“Thank you for the wine.” She accepted the glass and took a sip before touching her hand to the bare curves of her breasts revealed by the slinky corset. “Do you like? I’ve had it for a few years. Saw it online and knew I had to have it. I just never had the right occasion. I thought tonight might be time for its debut.”
He took a gulp of his drink, his eyes closing for a brief moment before he took a deep breath. “I’m honored you wore it for me.”
Honored? Okay, what was wrong with his man that he had to offer women a small fortune to sleep with him?
The mass of conflicting thoughts and emotions running through her made her head spin. This evening was becoming more surreal than it already had been. And she was so turned on right now, her panties were soaking through.
What decent girl would be so aroused under these circumstances?
No, she didn’t believe sex between consenting adults was a bad thing. And yes, she was consenting.
For five-hundred-thousand reasons.
But the money… Did taking money to have sex with this man make her a whore?
Did it matter?
She took money for performing a service where people looked through her like she was invisible. Why should it be different to take money for a service she actually enjoyed?
“Obviously you know my name, so I’m at a disadvantage. What’s yours?”
He didn’t hesitate, like he was trying to decide if he should lie. “Keegan.”
Unusual. She liked it. “Have we met before, Keegan?”
His gaze never left hers. “Not formally, no.”
“But I do recognize you, don’t I?”
There was that hint of a blush again. The one she really liked.
“Probably, yes. You catered an event I…attended a few weeks ago.”
She thought for a minute, staring into those blue eyes. “TinMan Biometrics. The reception at their offices.”
Finally, the guy smiled. And her doubts melted like chocolate in the sun.
Was she being too trusting? Taken in by a sweet face and her own greed?
Maybe. But was it really greed when the money wasn’t all for her? When most of it would go to pay her mom’s doctor’s bills?
Sure, he could still knock her out cold, drag her into his basement and dismember her for kicks and giggles. And even though the agreement she’d signed had included a non-disclosure clause as well as one that ensured her safety, she’d left a note for her mom just the same.
That same agreement had assured her that her partner for the evening had a clean bill of health. Yes, she was on the pill but she’d still brought condoms.
“So tell me—Oh!”
He wrapped one hand around her neck and kissed the hell out of her.
The shock made her freeze for several seconds before her mouth began to soften.
She stood on her toes to make them fit together better. Even though she was wearing heels, he still had a good three inches on her.
She liked that he was taller. Liked the feel of his hand on her neck, the way his lips felt against hers.
Her eyes had snapped shut when their lips touched and she let herself fall headlong into the kiss. Holding her steady with one hand on the back of her neck and the other on her hip, he plastered her body against his.
And damn but the guy could kiss. She felt like she was being devoured. In the best possible way. His mouth sealed over hers, his tongue pressing between her lips, sliding against her tongue and demanding she give herself over to him.
Her pussy went wet, a tight ache building low in her body. A void that needed to be filled.
God, she wanted him to lay her out and fuck her until she screamed. And then to continue until she couldn’t scream anymore.
Obviously, it’d been too long since she’d gotten laid.
Her arms slid around his waist, head tilting so she could get a better angle. She sought to assert some dominance, to control some part of this—to control him—but he wasn’t going to allow it.
Sliding his hands into her hair, he tugged. It wasn’t painful but he wasn’t letting go either. She let him direct her movement and his mouth moved. He spread kisses along her jaw to her ear, worrying the lobe between his teeth before he bit his way down her neck. Each sharp nip at her skin made her shiver, made her nipples tighten into points as hard as diamonds. Her breasts were crushed against his chest but she wanted to rub herself against bare male flesh.
His
bare male flesh.
She gasped as he lifted her off the ground just as he bit the curve of her neck and shoulder.
“Wrap your legs around my waist. Do it now.”