Page 20 of Wreck Me

He’s so hot. So intense. Somale.At thirty-three, he’s ten years older than me, (Imighthave done a little googling), but he has a twinkle in his eyes which is practically adolescent. His confidence is sexy beyond measure.

‘Scarlett,’ he drags my name across his tongue like he’s savouring it, ‘I think you may be the most attractive woman I’ve met in my life.’

‘Thank you.’ My nipples pebble beneath the flimsy silk. ‘And thank you for the flowers.’

‘The red velvet petals reminded me of you.’ His throat flexes as he swallows. ‘When you dropped the V-bomb on me, it was like striking a match in a petrol station. I haven't been able to get you out of my mind.’

My face heats. ‘I didn't mean to blurt it out like that, but I wanted you to know I’m not easy.’

A low rumble of laughter tumbles from his chest. ‘Believe me, I know you’re not easy. Which only adds to the appeal.’

My fingers nervously reach for my necklace.

He thrums his fingers against the leather again. ‘You exude an innocence that every man in this club would give their right arm to corrupt.’

‘Every man but you.’ I twist my torso and lower my backside on to the couch, the leather cool beneath my ass cheeks. ‘Attraction or no attraction. Because you don’t indulge inextraactivities with dancers.’ I mimic his words from our first encounter.

‘And you neither require any extra tuition, or offer anyextraactivities– of any description.’ His pupils gleam.

Touché.

‘In that case, what are we doing here?’ I gesticulate around this lavish private chamber.

He straightens in his seat and edges closer to me, his expression almost as dark as his onyx-like eyes. ‘The thing is, Scarlett.’ He glances at his hands. ‘I have a different proposition for you.’

Chapter Twelve

JAMES

I might be the one paying for this private room, but there is no doubt she’s in control. She holds all the cards, she just doesn’t know it yet.

When I took her away from Cole, she mistook me for her saviour. I’m the most unapologetic sinner I know.

I tried to stay away. Tried to follow my father’s instructions. Tried and failed.

Every day for the past two weeks, I’ve endured a different date, chosen by my parents. Every night for the past two weeks, I’ve rushed home to beat off in the shower imagining my fist was Scarlett’s tight, hot, slippery channel.

My father warned me from a young age that temptation is a fool’s game. Yet, inch after inch of smooth olive-coloured skin tempts me more than I’ve ever been tempted by anything in my life. Which makes me a huge fucking fool for Scarlett.

But I’ve come up with a plan. One that will keep my father off my back and allow me to scratch this itch with Scarlett.

A pole dancer is unequivocally not Alexander Beckett’sidea of marriage material, and I’m pretty sure the Board would agree.

But that doesn’t mean she can’tpretendto be, for a few months at least.

Scarlett speaks with the same eloquent accent as the other girls at the Luxor. I’d bet my life she was educated privately, probably in some fancy girls-only school, and she’s clearly intelligent, given she won a scholarship to the Trinity Business School.

If she’s willing to play along until I secure the Imperial Winery acquisition, I could overturn my playboy reputation, and show the Board and my father that I’m capable of commitment, and have some fun in the process.

My hand falls to Scarlett’s bare thigh. Her quad flexes beneath my fingers as she sucks in a sharp breath. As I trace languid circles across her silky skin, a ripple of satisfaction slides over my spine at the goosebumps trailing in my wake.

What is it about her that makes me feel like a fucking schoolboy?

Just like the first night, the attraction between us crackles and fizzes like a live wire. There’s an intensity to it that’s borderline painful. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s no wonder I haven't been able to get her out of my head.

Christopher chooses this exact moment to burst in with the champagne. No danger of him sending one of the girls, or even knocking.

He might not have had his way tonight, but that won’t stop him trying tomorrow. The thought pierces my chest like an arrow. I’ve known him a long time. He won’t give up. Not while he’s employing her. If anything, my intervention will only make him more determined to have her.

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