Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
But he did it again.
Because he was weak and selfish.
Because no matter how the situations ended, for one single moment he’d fly high.
And that one moment was worth coming back for—worth seeking out again and again.
No one had understood, not his mother and certainly not Rafe. They’d all thought he’d been acting out to get attention from his father. And yes, that had been partially true. But there was this other secret edge to it all.
The sharp bite of submission.
It was why, with a tremble, he knocked on Rafe’s door now when he suspected nothing waited for him on the other side but professional distance.
“Come in,” Rafe called.
Hop entered and closed the door behind him, blocking out the noise of the club. It was just them, their breathing, and Hop’s own pulse echoing in his ears.
“Take a seat,” Rafe said.
Chapter Fifteen
It was a struggle, but Rafe did not watch Hop walk across his office. Instead, he trained his eyes on the papers on the desk even though he’d read the same word over and over again. Every cell in his body was focused on Hop’s presence. His stride clicked on the floor as he approached. Every step lit another spark under Rafe’s skin.
Because...heels.
Rafe’s fetish almost got the better of him. He wanted to see, damn it. He gathered all his patience and simply listened to the rustle of fabric as Hop lowered into the chair and crossed his legs.
Rafe made him wait.
He dragged it out, flipping pages, tapping his pen, and doing his best impression of someone who wasn’t utterly distracted. He was so glad for his years of practice. It gave him the ability to delay until Hop’s agitation became a third living thing in the room, hovering over them both like a greedy desperate monster.
Only then did Rafe put his pen down, raise his eyes and feast on the sight before him. Hop had painted his eyes with shades of purple. His cheeks were rouged and his lashes were long enough to tickle his cheeks every time he blinked. And that mouth, fuck.
Plump and shiny and deep, dark pink, that mouth called to Rafe, reminding him of their kiss. If there had been any lingering doubts about what needed to be done, they fled at the first glimpse of those lips.
Under his scrutiny, Hop calmed. The reaction sent a cascade of answering relief through Rafe’s system.
Rafe didn’t thank him for coming because they both knew that refusing hadn’t even been an option and pretending otherwise would be trite.
“Prince called,” Rafe said, getting right to the point. Or, at least, the point he needed to get out of the way.
Hop’s lips parted on a small exhale and his shoulders sank slightly. Disappointment, Rafe thought, and fought a smile.
“Or, I should say, his assistant called,” Rafe continued. “They won’t be back in the city until end of February. So we’ve scheduled the pre-party dress rehearsal for then.”
Those enticing lips formed an O.
“I’ll need you to inform the others that they should come up with an appropriate routine without actually telling them why it’s needed.”
That snapped Hop out of his daze. “Are you nuts? How am I supposed to do that?”
Rafe shrugged. “They can’t know yet, not until—”
“They’re not going to tell anyone. Besides, it’s not like they run in the same circles.”
“I’m not willing to risk it. This is too important.”
Hop threw up both hands. “What do you think he’ll do if he finds out before you’ve got a contract? It’s not like he’s God or something.”
Rafe narrowed his eyes. “Really?”
Hop’s attitude changed immediately, all dissent squashed like a bug. Fuck, but it was intoxicating being handed that much power.
Rafe took a beat to enjoy it and then continued, “It’s happened before. He has the ability to snap his fingers and take away everything I’ve earned. He doesn’t need a reason, not a logical one, at least. His pride won’t allow him to do anything but destroy me if he feels I’ve gone against him in any way.”
Hop must know that about his father. He’d probably seen the ruthless manipulation with his own eyes.
“Paying back your debt would mean he couldn’t control you any longer.”
“And for him, control is everything.” Rafe added a little curl to his words and watched Hop squirm.
“Okay.” Hop’s voice was gruff and tempting. “I’ll... I won’t tell them.”
Rafe forced himself to look away from those clear blue eyes and all that damn irrational trust. His cock was rock hard in his trousers and his limbs already felt heavy and hot. He was quiet for a long time, pretending to read while he drew on his strength of will.
“Um, is that all?” Hop asked.
Was that all? Not by a long shot. He met Hop’s curious gaze. “Our business is done, but now you have a choice to make.”