Page 11 of Tempting Kat
I'm out of bed in an instant, stalking across the room to snatch the phone off the floor. And there she is, staring back at me with those goddamn verdant eyes that haunt my dreams.
Katarina. My fucking bartender. In a black top, her hair tumbling over her shoulders, and around her throat—a black velvet choker with a small silver pendant that reads “Call Me Daddy.”
My cock is instantly rock hard, straining against my boxer-briefs as rage and lust battle for dominance in my chest.
“Kitty kat,” I growl at the screen, scrolling through her profile with shaking hands.
Katarina, 24. Seeking arrangement with an established gentleman. Available weekends and select weeknights. Fridays completely unavailable. Enjoys art, music, good conversation,and being spoiled. Looking for a generous man who appreciates a woman with a mind of her own. Diamond status: exclusive arrangement only.
There are more photos—Kat in a skintight red dress that hugs every curve, Kat leaning against a wall in ripped jeans and that fucking choker, Kat with a cocktail in hand, looking over her shoulder with those bedroom eyes.
I scroll to her preferences. My jaw clenched so tight it aches.
Seeking: Dominant personality, financial security, mutual pleasure. Age preference: 35-55. Arrangement type: Exclusive. Hard limits: No violence, no sharing, respect for personal boundaries.
I can’t help but to start to pace the length of my bedroom. My mind's racing, piecing together the timing. She just joined—her profile says “new.” Is this why she won't take more shifts at the bar? Is she planning to loan herself out to some asshole who'll pay to fuck her?
Over my dead fucking body.
I hit the “request connection” button before I can think twice. A message pops up: “Diamond status companions require premium membership for direct contact. Upgrade now?”
I slam my thumb against the upgrade button, entering my credit card information. Five thousand dollars for premium access. I'd pay fifty times that to get to her first.
Another screen appears: “Congratulations on your premium membership. Your personal concierge will contact you shortly to discuss your preferences.”
My phone rings almost immediately. Vivian.
“Well, that was fast,” she says, amusement dripping from every syllable. “Found a bartender you like, huh, Conrad?”
“Cut the shit, Vivi,” I snarl. “You set me up.”
“I have no idea what you're talking about,” Vivi purrs, but I can hear the smirk in her voice.
“Bullshit.”
She laughs, the sound light and musical. “You are correct. As soon as Matteo said you were obsessing over a bartender named Katarina, I knew. I just processed her application yesterday.”
My grip tightens on the phone. “And you didn't think to mention that?”
“And ruin the surprise? Never.” She pauses. “So, shall I arrange a meeting? I'm thinking you two would have quite the chemistry.”
“I want it to be a surprise,” I say, my voice dropping low. “Don't show her my picture. Keep it as vague as possible.”
“Oh, Conrad.” The way she says my name is almost a purr. “I'll craft something special. Something she won't forget. How does this Saturday sound?”
“Perfect.” My cock throbs at the thought of having Kat in just three days. “One more thing. I don’t want her booked with anyone else. Not a single fucking booking except with me.”
“Excuse me?” Vivi's tone shifts from playful to business-like. “Conrad, that's not how this works. She's a new profile, but she's already generating significant interest. Diamond tier companions?—”
“I don't give a fuck about your tiers or protocols.” My voice is deadly quiet now. “Name your price. Whatever it costs to lock her down exclusively.”
A long pause follows. I can practically hear Vivi calculating numbers in her head.
“That would be...substantial,” she finally says. “We're talking six figures minimum for exclusivity without the prior protocols.”
“Done.” The word leaves my mouth without hesitation. “Send me the paperwork.”
Vivi sighs dramatically. “Oh alright. Damn, I'm losing my best girls to you damn bastards.” She makes a clicking soundwith her tongue. “First Francesca to Alexander, now Katarina to you. At this rate, I'll have no diamonds left.”
