I was about to tell both of them to suck it; my paranoia was mounting increasingly. Maybe they were a secret work couple who liked to explore weird kinks.It would explain why he was acting like that last night.Was he testing me out and making the girls sign an NDA before drawing them into one of their sick games?
What had Leo sold me out for?
Chapter 16
Prince Walker
Iwaited in my office, bristling with impatience.
The day before – the day my private life had become breaking news – Jane had brought all the files and dropped them on my table.
“These are all the girls from the escort agencies I’ve screened,” Jane had said. “I’ve selected some of the newer girls, as they would not have been with that many clients yet.”
The sky had begun to darken. Jane had put in hours of work in calling and contacting some of the city’s most upmarket escort services. I had looked up and noticed she seemed frayed and exhausted.
“You can go now, Jane. I’ll take it from here.” Jane had just stood there staring at me strangely. I knew that she’d always wanted me more than was appropriate. But after all these years, I’d thought she had finally grown past the feelings she used to have before she was promoted to being my personal assistant. I ignored her stare. “Close the door as you go.”
But instead, I’d felt her inching nearer toward me. I looked up and her dark hazel eyes locked with mine. “Jane—,” I began, but before I could complete my sentence, Jane had wrapped her arms around my neck, her full lips sucking on mine. I’d felt her tongue working its way into my mouth. “Jane, stop!” I’d snapped, pushing her away in disgust. The files on my table tumbled and fell onto the floor.
Jane was a sexually attractive woman. I’d seen how Andy and other men enjoyed checking her out around the office. But, as much as I was aware of Jane’s allure, she was still my employee. And I did not fuck my employees. It would be too complicated to work with her in the future.
“Sorry, I— It’s just that I’ve always thought that you’d be better off without Angelique. She used you and—"
“Go home, Jane,” I cut her off before she could finish. Jane quickly composed herself and moved toward the door.
I imagined she’d spent the night agonizing over those moments, wondering if her job was on the line. I might have ruminated too, if I hadn’t been side-tracked. After Jane had left, I’d bent down to collect the files from the floor. Among the scattered paperwork, a picture stared back at me.
Angelique?
No, she looked too young; prettier, if that was possible. And she seemed somehow…more naïve, unspoiled. Because there was no doubt about it; Angelique was spoiled. Not just by me but by everyone else who sees beauty and can’t help but indulge it.
Name : Sasha Ramirez Age : 22 years old
It’s her! She’s the one!I’d known it at once. I’d found the girl who’d make Angelique regret what she’d done to me, and maybe get my father off my ass. I had to meet her.
And so began the elaborate ruse that ended up with us all at Provocateur the night before. I’d messaged Andy, told him to set things up. But I never could have guessed things would work out the way they had. Never imagined how physically drawn I would be to this girl.
I waited for her now, tapping my fingers on the desk. The black and white headshot that had been in her file barely did her justice – it gave no hint of sapphire eyes, or hair like fire – yet still she was beautiful in the photo. And I wanted her.
I’d randomly selected a few more girls to my office, and now wished that I hadn’t because it had dragged out the hours and I wanted to get on with this. I wanted to get on with making her my own.
I unbuttoned my jacket and leaned against my seat as I watched on the CCTV screen as Sasha walked with Jane into my office. Her long red braid swung gently with each step. I had never seen hair that was such a beautiful shade of red, a furore of crimson twine that tumbled to her waist. I wished she’d worn it loose today, but that was something I could resolve soon enough. Delayed pleasure is often the sweetest.
I waited a while before turning around to look at her.
“You!” she gasped, and I watched her pretty face flush.
I sat across from her, my fingers itching to brush against her face again. She had a look about her. It wasn't glazed with an emptiness like most of the girls who had come in. Her blue eyes sparkled with a world of experience and soul; more that you would expect a girl her age to have garnered.
What it is about this girl that has made me feel this way?I had been unable to tear my gaze from her face, the way the brilliant hue of her hair complimented her pale, smooth skin. A lot of girls had walked into my life but none of them had caught my fascination the way she had. Not even Angelique. From the moment I saw her last night, I knew she was 'it'.
I was studying her now. Jane was talking but I was barely interested in listening. I swear, if the girl licked her lips once more, I did not know what I would do. Maybe pull her close and taste them for myself. Or just take her there and then to end my agony. I could not figure out why I was so affected by her. She looked more tempting today, in natural lighting, her pale, slender hand picking up the pen and pretending to read through the document in front of her. My eyes traced each movement. She was delicate and beautiful and I was mesmerized.
"Get up and walk the room," I stated.Let me see you, Sasha Ramirez.
I studied her face. There were tiny, pale golden-brown freckles powdered over her skin. Her nose was slight and pointy, her lashes thick, a sooty brown, and so long they cast spiky shadows against her cheeks. Slowly she opened her eyes wide to look at me, and I drew in a heated breath. Her eyes were blue and flecked with ribbons of black stars, each color dusted with determination and fear. Those colors beguiled me, confused me. Awakened a protective instinct I had not known existed.
Protective?That was new. I’d never felt the need to look after anyone other than myself before. Even the gifts I’d bestowed on Angelique – the house, the cars – those hadn’t been to take care of her. They’d been symbols of my power.
