Page 58 of Wreck Me

‘I know it seems extreme,’ he says, holding onto the door. ‘But it’s actually a compliment.’

‘It’s the most fucked up compliment I’ve ever seen.’ I hold my bag to my chest like a shield.

‘James has some unusual methods, but there are two things you should know about him.’ Ah ha, so Tim is aware our arrangement is strictly business. Does that mean Rosa is too? ‘One–James always gets what James wants. Two–he’s crazy about you, whether you believe it or not.’

He closes the car door before I can reply.

Half an hour later, I march through the grand entrance to James’s mansion, my heels clicking furiously against the marble. ‘Where is he?’ I demand as poor Rosa appears from the kitchen carrying a vase of fresh peonies to put on display on the table in the hall.

‘In his office, I believe.’ She rolls her lips and presses them together.

Is everyone in on this?

I drop my bag on the gleaming floor and charge down the corridor in search of James. When I reach his office, I fling open the heavy door and strut in. James is spread out on the huge leather armchair behind his enormous desk in those damn sweatpants.

I drag my eyes away, heat tearing up my throat.

His eyes glint with a hint of mischief.

‘Scarlett, come in. I don’t bite. Unless you want me to, that is.’ His voice oozes amusement. ‘It’s lovely to see you in the flesh.’

In the flesh? What’s that supposed to mean?

His bare feet rest languidly on the top of the dark oak desk next to his computer. He makes no move to cover what is definitely an erection beneath his sweats. The man is shameless.

Even though I’m supposed to be mad, it’s not anger that’scausing an ache between my legs. The room is filled with the scent of him. That distinct male scent that drives me insane with lust.

‘You had the poles taken out of the college gym.’ It doesn’t come out nearly as angrily as I intended.

‘And?’ He folds his arms defiantly across his burly chest.

‘Why?’

He rocks forwards in the chair and beckons me with a single finger. ‘Come here and I’ll show you.’

I take a small step closer, unable to shake the feeling I’m stepping into the lion’s lair. ‘You’ll get a better view if you come round to this side of the desk.’

I take three steps closer with more conviction than I truly feel. He points at his computer screen and my pulse spikes. A twenty-eight inch image of me fills his screen, there in all my semi-naked glory. I’m on the stage at the Luxor Lounge wearing nothing but three tiny crimson silk triangles. My legs are split wide open against the pole, my fingers gripping the cool metal, supporting my weight as I spin. My eyes are closed tight, seemingly oblivious to the world around me.

‘Where did you get that?’ I whisper, utterly transfixed.

James Beckett is turned on looking at a picture of me.

‘Killian’s company provides the security for the club, including their CCTV.’ He shrugs as if it’s no big deal that he’s sourced semi-naked images of me.

‘Look at you, Scarlett.’ He motions to the screen. ‘You’re every man’s fantasy. But you're my girlfriend, on paper at least. And I don’t share.’

‘But–’ My protest dies in my throat as heat stokes my core. I want to be annoyed with him, I really do. But I’m vibrating so hard with that damn pent-up energy again, the only thing I really want is to see what he’s got beneath those grey sweats.

‘The agreement is you’re mine. And while you’re mine,I’m the only man who gets to watch you dance.’ The bulge beneath the grey is growing by the second, straining against his pants, pulling the material so deliciously taut across his crotch.

‘Like what you see?’ He motions to his crotch. I wet my lips and swallow hard. ‘Because while you are mine, I am yours. You’re the only woman who gets to see me.’ His eyes darken to almost black. ‘You do want to see me, don’t you, sweetheart?’

Chapter Twenty-Nine

SCARLETT

I do want to see him. More than anything I want to see him. I shouldn't, but I do. It’s supposed to be a fake relationship, but deep down it’s always been real, for me at least. I love the lengths he’s going to for me. I’m so turned on it’s not even funny. I barely hesitate before panting out my answer. ‘Show me.’

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