Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
I nod.
“That’s true. But do you like it?”
Her reply is immediate and emphatic.
“I do. In fact, I love it. How did you find out, anyways?” she asks, throwing me a suspicious look. “Everything about Club Z is very hush-hush, so I’m surprised you know.”
I shrug.
“There are always ways. At first, I thought you were a cocktail waitress, honey, because I’d catch glimpses of you before you went out on the town. Your clothes were a little too scandalous for it to be standard club gear.”
Harlow fixes me with a look.
“Yeah, but how do you know what people wear when they go out?”
I shrug.
“I don’t, but unless crotchless panties and sheer teddies are de rigeur these days, then it’s a type of club that I’ve never been to. Plus,” I add in an easy tone. “There was the duffel bag.”
At this reveal, Harlow’s brown eyes widen.
“Duffel bag?” she repeats.
“Yes.” I decide to be totally open with Harlow because at this point, we’ve already crossed that bridge. “A couple months ago the housekeeper left a black duffel bag in my room. I didn’t think too much of it because I have dozens of duffels, and I thought it might be my gym bag.”
“But it wasn’t,” Harlow finishes in a slow tone.
I shake my head, blue eyes glinting. “No, it definitely wasn’t. I honestly thought it could have been a bag of mine, so I opened it and made a very interesting discovery. There were several bikinis inside, some clear plastic heels, and also pasties, lube, and condoms in pretty much every size available,” I remark. “Not to mention a huge tube of spermicide.”
“Oh shit,” Harlow whispers, her eyes as wide as saucers.
I press on, wanting to get the whole story out on the table. “Yeah, it was an interesting discovery, to say the least, especially when I realized that the contents belonged to you. That’s when I made some inquiries, and to be honest, it didn’t take much sleuthing to figure out that you work at Club Z.”
Harlow shakes her head, astonished.
“That sucks because Club Z is supposed to be really discreet, so I have no idea how you found out.”
I shrug.
“Honey, I’m a powerful man who’s well-known in New York City. You ask a couple questions, and the information starts to flow.”
She nods, biting her lip.
“I see.” But then the pretty brunette looks up at me defiantly. “Even if you ask me to quit, it doesn’t mean I’m going to,” Harlow says in a determined voice. “I enjoy working at Club Z, and besides, I’m financially independent,” she continues, her expression challenging now. “Mom left me this house and a trust fund, so I can make my own choices.”
I cock my head to the side as I nod at the pretty girl. “I didn’t say a word about you quitting,” I inform her calmly.
She looks taken aback. “Well, no, I guess you didn’t.”
“I respect what a woman does with her time. It’s the oldest profession in the world, so who am I to say what’s wrong or right? Besides,” I add smoothly, “as an Ob-Gyn, I work with women all the time, and I know how important it is to have control over your body. It’s your call, absolutely.”
“Oh,” Harlow says in a small voice.
But then the possessive alpha in me takes over because it’s one thing to know that your stepdaughter’s working as a professional escort. It’s another to taste that sensuous body for yourself, and then also know that she’s sharing it.
“But to make sure we’re being abundantly clear,” I say in a smooth tone, “if we’re going to continue this, then you’ll have to stop seeing other men.”
Wait, what am I saying? There’s no way Harlow and I should continue our rendezvous because it’s wrong on just about every level. Yet, now that the issue’s before me, I know I want more. She’s too luscious, tempting, and sexy for me to turn away.
But Harlow takes it in a stride.
“I get it,” she murmurs in a dulcet tone. “I’ll think about it because Club Z is my livelihood, so it’s not exactly a quick decision.”
I nod slowly, my reality collapsing. Oh shit, is she actually going to decide no? Suddenly, I realize that this situation, which I thought I had total control over, is actually unmanageable. Maybe I had no control over it from square one, come to think of it. But then the gorgeous brunette shoots me a sassy smile.
“But I could take a break from Club Z,” she purrs. “I’ve been there for a year now, so I know the ropes already. Plus, I’ve been wanting to focus on my singing career a little more, and maybe this is my opportunity.”
I nod even as my chest feels like it’s going to burst. Holy shit, what is this woman doing to me? I’m experiencing a ton of emotions, which doesn’t usually happen in my life. As a doctor, I pride myself on staying rational and detached, but now, Harlow’s got me wrapped around her little finger, and I can barely breathe as my heart pounds. The sensation is unnerving, and almost primal.