Page 19 of Her Double Desire

“There's a vanity over there,” Joanna says, pulling me from my miserable train of thought. “And more shoes than you could count. Make yourself presentable and be in the dining room in half an hour.” Apparently done with me, she shuts the doors as she leaves.

Make myself presentable?I'm sure that's exactly how those two jerks phrased it. I've given them the impression with my drunken-chic that I don't have a clue how to make myself look nice.We'll see about that.

Gathering up a few things, I park myself in front of the vanity.

I've got work to do if I want to blow their minds.

Which I really, really fucking want to.

****

Sweeping into the largedining room, I barely notice the grand piano, or the candles, or even the many huge oil paintings. I'm too busy being caught up in the hungry-eyed expression of the two men waiting for me.

Jared is sitting at the long table, his fingers pinched around the stem of a wine glass. He's dressed like he was earlier—dark pants, another vest, long sleeves. But I know it's new and clean. I saw how he ruined his clothing with his own lustful sweat.

When he looks at me and shifts in his chair, the memory of what I caught him doing early swims into my brain.His cock was magnificent when he was jerking himself off.

Boiling between my thighs, I'm grateful when Shawn whistles, distracting me from my dirty thoughts. He's also dressed much like before, his dark jacket spread wide, showing off how his silvery tie stretches over his long, lean torso.

“Color me shocked,” he says. My smug pride at showing off how well I can 'clean up' grows. Except... when Shawn's gaze scrapes from my face down to my toes, lingering on my chest and hips in between, I wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew. Is baiting these men a wise decision?

Jared stands and slides out a chair for me. As I sit, he stretches closer, his mouth dangerously near my earlobe. “You look gorgeous.”

The pleasure that assaults me is pure and unfiltered.

Once he's back sitting across from me, I look at the pretty room with its chandelier, teal tablecloth, and leather-backed chairs. There's a glass of wine already filled in front of me. “This is weirdly normal,” I say, lifting it and taking a small sip.

“We both thought it would be good to take a breath and get to know you,” Shawn says. “Especially because, on further inspection of the paperwork you signed, you didn't really fill any of it out.” He reveals a paper-clipped stack from inside his black suit-jacket.

I motion for him to pass it to me across the table. He extends the papers, but when I grab them and tug, he doesn't let go. Frowning, I yank harder, but he just holds tight. Bracing the edge, I lean further across—that's when I notice he's staring down the front of my dress.

Shawn chuckles playfully, then releases the papers. “All yours.”

Dropping back in my seat, I sink down, feeling self-conscious. Focusing on the paperwork, I flip through, reading as I go. There are flecks of pen everywhere, like I was randomly scribbling. “I don't remember trying to fill this form out.”

“We've already established you were drunk.” Jared swirls his drink, studying me over the top. “Just answer the questions now.”

“Won't that make it harder to lie to your boss about me?”

“He's more than my boss,” Jared mutters. “I'd rather not lie to him at all.”

Wait, what does he mean by that?

“You'll answer verbally,” Jared says, “No physical evidence. This is just for mine and Shawn's benefit.”

I take a slow breath, then begin scanning the page, answering as I go. “My full name is Veronica Buck. I grew up in Silver Lake, California. I'm twenty-three years old, and...” Trailing off, I stare at the next question to make sure I read it right. “Of course I don't have any STDs!”

Shawn bursts out laughing. “I assumed. How long ago was that one boyfriend of yours?”

“That's not a question on here.”

“Answer it anyway,” he says coolly.

I grip the papers so they crinkle. “Three years ago.”

“Holy fuck,” Shawn laughs. But he doesn't look amused, he actually looks annoyed. “Your sex drive must be broken.”

Jared watches me carefully over the rim of his glass. I know what he's thinking—that my sex drive is working perfectly. He experienced it earlier. So why isn't he speaking up and telling Shawn?

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