Page 29 of Wreck Me

‘And the second condition?’ He smooths his hands across the front of his suit.

‘I can’t be photographed with you,’ I blurt. I’ve managed to keep my head down and my nose clean for the past few years. I can’t risk everything now. ‘I’d rather not be in the spotlight.’

Low laughter rumbles from his chest and echoes around the vehicle. ‘Like you said, you’re low maintenance.’

‘And that’s funny?’ I arch an eyebrow.

‘It’s actually utterly endearing.’ He turns to me through the moonlight and cups my face in his hands, angling it to his. Our breath mingles and a hot shiver of desire courses over my spine. ‘You have a beautiful face, Scarlett. It’s a face any red-blooded male would want to photograph. I can’t guarantee we won’t get papped, but trust me, I’ll make sure the papers don’t show your face. I have a few connections. I can pull a few strings.’’

Huh. An image of James’s debauched behaviour on that yacht in Dubai that made the headlines a few weeks ago flashes through my mind. He didn’t manage to pull a few strings to stop that one appearing with the faces, and a lot else besides, most definitely on show. A flicker of envy flares in my chest.

Just because I said wecan’thave sex, it doesn’t necessarily mean I don’twantto.

‘Any other requests?’ His hand drops to my knee and a jolt of energy strikes me right between my thighs.

‘No.’ I pause for a second, my mind wandering back to last week’s lectures where I’d been so distracted with thoughts of him that I barely caught a third of the information I needed. ‘Well, I might cash in on the tuition you offered.’ The man has a master’s in the subject I’m hoping to graduate in. Plus, he has the business acumen and experience I’m lacking, and I have a dissertation to hand in.

I get a flash of straight white teeth through the darkness. ‘I’ll give you all the tuition you need. All you have to do is ask.’

A hot flush inches over my skin and my stomach somersaults.

He removes his hand from my knee as the car pulls to a stop outside Juliana’s, the most exclusive Italian in town. I assume we’re getting take out, given we don’t have a reservation.

He glances out of the window, watching as Tim steps away from the car and enters the restaurant. ‘You like Italian?’

‘It’s my favourite.’ My fingers reach for my scalp where a hundred bobby pins are securing tonight’s wig in place. I tentatively loosen a few and slip them into my coat pocket.

‘Need a hand?’ His gaze trails over my face like a caress.

‘Just loosening these pins. Please tell me a wig isn't necessary in my new job.’ Though it might not be a bad idea, especially if we are papped. I can’t take the risk of being identified. Not after all the trouble I’ve gone through to keep a low profile all this time since the court case.

‘It’s not necessary. The lingerie is optional.’ He winks and my stomach flips again. ‘Let me help you with those.’

Thick fingers sweep over my temple with a tenderness hedoesn’t look capable of. Following my hairline with the pads of his fingers, James skims my skin until he touches a sliver of metal, then wiggles the pin out.

For a man of his size, he’s surprisingly gentle.

I wonder if he’d be gentle with me in bed, too?

“Don’t worry, Scarlett. This isn't a trap. I won’t corrupt your virtue. Unless you want me to, that is.”

No. No. No. No. Don’t go there, Scarlett.

James drops pin after pin into my lap. I work from the back of my neck and he works from my temples. Every time our fingers graze a hot bolt of electricity charges up my arm like a live wire. When all the pins are out, he moves his hand to the nape of my neck. ‘Do you mind if I take your wig off?’

‘Sure.’

He tugs gently, the wig falls to my lap and he hisses out a low breath. ‘Stunning, Scarlett.’ Uncoiling my French twist, he drags his fingers through it in a slow, sensual motion that sets goosebumps rippling across my skin. A quiet moan of appreciation escapes my mouth.

‘I’ve been wondering if your hair was as dark as your eyebrows.’ He grabs a handful and pulls it to his nose, inhaling deeply. ‘It’s absolutely stunning. Like dark liquid chocolate.’

My chin juts out, my face angles upwards, until we’re sharing the same breath. Every cell in my body hums with a longing like never before.

‘James.’ There’s a warning in my tone. We’re three minutes into our agreement and I’m already fighting to remember why I’m not supposed to throw myself at him.

From my periphery, I spot Tim leaving the restaurant. I jerk backwards before he opens the car door. ‘The table is ready when you are, sir.’ He closes the door quietly again.

I glance at James, who is motioning me to get out.

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