Page 73 of Wreck Me

‘A lot,’ I repeat, like I know what that means. ‘So what’s our story? Where did we meet?’

‘It’s a good question.’ He pauses for a second, staring into the distance. ‘Let’s say you interviewed for a work placement in my office.’ A small smirk plays on his lips. ‘I offered you the position if you agreed to go out with me. Actually, no–that could be considered as sexual harassment, and yet another excuse for the Board to sack me. Let’s say I offered you the position and you agreed to accept, ifIagreed to go out withyou.’ He sniggers and raises his hands in a silent ‘voila.’

‘Shit. I still need to find a four-week placement for April. It’s a compulsory component of the course. It totally slipped my mind!’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged for you to do the placement in my office.’ He says it like it’s a done deal. ‘It’s the perfect cover story.’

‘I…’

‘I won’t have some slippery CEO perving over my girlfriend.’ His jaw clenches. ‘I’m perfectly capable of that myself.’ He takes my hand and leads me back to the dining room.

I resign myself to my fate, both the placement, and the new ballgown. There’s no point arguing with him. He told me himself, he always gets what he wants. And truthfully, Iwantto work with him. If I could pick any placement in the country, it would be by his side. ‘Let me know what time Martha can take me.’

‘I’ll tell her four o’clock. And I’ll have someone there to do your hair and make-up.’

‘Okay.’ I drain my coffee and stand. ‘I’ll go get dressed.’

‘Do you have to?’ He tugs me downwards until my face is inches from his. ‘Give me another kiss.’

‘Is kissing at the breakfast table part of our arrangement?’ I’m testing the boundaries and I know it, but I can’t help myself. What kind of a fake boyfriend buys his fake girlfriend an Audi?

His huge hands grip my ass and yank me onto his lap. The swell of his cock presses against my crotch and it takes every bit of self-control not to shamelessly grind against him.

‘This arrangement is so fucking blurred, I’m not sure what the conditions are anymore. As I said, you’re not the only one getting an education.’ His fingers dig into my backside. A low groan slips from his lips as his gaze falls to my cami top. My nipples harden beneath the flimsy cotton, begging for his touch. ‘They say knowledge is power, but in this instance, I feel like I’ve stumbled on my weakness. My weakness, Scarlett, is you.’

‘I don’t want to be anyone’s weakness,’ I whisper.

James nuzzles his face against the bare skin of my collarbone and inhales deeply. His fingers slide over my spine and rest at the nape of my neck. His touch is slow and sensual,but predominantly, tender. ‘The interesting thing about weaknesses is, if you can conquer them, they eventually make you stronger.’

His lips lift to catch mine and I melt into our kiss. The softness of his lips. The heat of his mouth. The way his tongue plunders and conquers.

It’s not a case of if he can conquer me.

He already has.

But as he gets stronger, it’ll be me who gets weaker.

My poor heart doesn’t stand a chance against him. If I had any sense, I’d leave before I fall any harder. But I have a sinking sensation, it’s already way too late for that.

Chapter Thirty-Five

SCARLETT

‘Am I even insured to drive this?’ My palms skim over the steering wheel.

‘Of course you are,’ James snorts, strapping my seatbelt across my chest. ‘Do I strike you as a man who would do half a job?’

‘Well, I don’t know…’ My lips lift in a teasing smile.

‘Scarlett,’ he drawls. ‘Why do I get the feeling you’re referring to something else?’

I push my foot on the accelerator and we’re thrown forwards.

‘And that’s why we need to learn to crawl before we can walk,’ he says smugly.

Remembering how to drive takes all of my concentration. Operating the Audi feels like driving a spaceship compared to the Kia I learnt in. By the time we’ve done a loop of the estate, I’ve had enough. I pull up outside the front door and park the car.

‘That’s it?’ His voice is incredulous. ‘That was barely ten minutes.’

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