Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72648 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
My body relaxes. She’s focused on financial and business recognition merits, not on morality. “Let’s just say I have a personal interest.”
“A personal interest?” she repeats, brow furrowing.
“Yes, as in I personally enjoy going to sex clubs,” I say, tone challenging.
Once again, her response surprises me. It looks as if a bright light has flipped on above her head as something dawns on her. “So that’s why you don’t date and are rarely seen with women.”
I’m the shocked one now. I didn’t realize she paid that type of attention to my personal life. For some odd reason, it pleases me.
“I like no-strings-attached sexual encounters,” I reply in a crisply professional voice. I want her to believe we’re still talking about business, but, truthfully, I’d like insight into her thoughts, too. “I find it easier with how busy I am, and sex clubs offer that.”
“Makes sense,” she muses, her eyes going slightly hazy in contemplation. I’d bet a million dollars she has no idea she’s doing it, but her teeth sink into her bottom lip, nibbling at it. It’s sexy as fuck.
“Penny for your thoughts,” I murmur.
Her gaze focuses, snapping to me. Shaking her head, she smiles sheepishly, her cheeks flushing. “Sorry… just thinking. I recently had a friend suggest a sex club to me.”
Now I wasn’t fucking prepared to hear that. It’s not that I think Bailey’s a prude. I genuinely thought there was only a slim chance she’d be offended by my project. But I never thought she’d actually entertain the merits of that type of hedonism.
“Well, it’s your lucky day,” I say before I can stop myself. “After I decide which investor to partner with, we’ll be moving to the design stage. I could use your help.”
“But I don’t know anything about sex clubs,” she exclaims, her eyes bright with interest despite her words.
“That’s what research is for,” I say, leaning forward to cross my arms on my desk. “We’ll visit a few local clubs to compare the elements, which will help in deciding on the attractions for my new resort.”
“You want me to go to a sex club… with you?” I don’t miss the slightly hysterical edge in her tone, but she remains composed in all other respects.
“For research,” I remind her almost primly, to mask the underlying lust. “We’ll simply observe. Nothing more.”
“Um… well, okay,” she replies uncertainly.
“This is strictly business, Miss Robbins,” I say pointedly. “Nothing more.”
“Of course,” she hastens to assure me. “I understand that. And you need me to…”
Her voice trails off. It’s obvious she’s a tad overwhelmed at the idea of researching sex clubs. In a steady, bland tone, I continue, “So far, you’ve been adept at learning as you go. I think you’ve shown an aptitude for what it takes to make this career work for you. You understand the interplay of the various departments, and I’ve come to trust and rely on your opinions. So I would appreciate your assistance with this project. However, if it makes you uncomfortable—”
“It doesn’t,” she reassures me. With her chin lifted, the worry in her expression dissolves completely. She sits ramrod straight in her chair, shoulders tossed back with confidence. “I can absolutely assist you with this project.”
“Excellent,” I reply, beaming. I feel a strange sense of pride in her for pushing out of her comfort zone. Strange.
But I hope like hell she doesn’t unmask my more deep-seated desire to see how she interacts in that environment. Because she will have a reaction, no doubt. No one can walk into The Wicked Horse without being affected by what they see. “No time like the present to get started. Tonight, we’ll visit a club where I’m actually a member. It’s the most exclusive in Las Vegas, and it has many aspects I think can be incorporated into my new resort.”
“Of course,” she replies, then bends over her iPad. “I have one thing I need to take care of this evening, but I can meet you there.”
“I’ll pick you up,” I reply, interjecting enough command into my order that, as my employee, she can’t refuse.
Her head snaps up, and she swallows hard. “What should I wear?”
Another image slams into me… Bailey naked, splayed on silk sheets, while covered in my semen. That’s what I’d like her to wear.
Instead, I gesture toward her. “You can wear what you have on. This is, after all, just business.”
CHAPTER 8
Bailey
I’m so freaking nervous that I’m sweating. And there’s nothing sexy about sweaty pits.
You aren’t supposed to be sexy, Bailey, I admonish. This is business.
Still, I can’t deny that the thought of walking through a sex club with Declan Blackwood isn’t affecting me on all kinds of levels. Emotionally, mentally, in my nipples and between my legs.
Shit. Why did I agree to this?
Because he’d said it was only business. He’s not interested in me in a sexy way.