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“Yes, I know.” But he didn’t move. “And the rest of your body… your long legs, your tight ass. Your pretty pussy.” He sighed with an mmm that made my thighs quiver. “I’m really quite happy looking at you.”

He listed my attributes like someone trying to decide whether or not to buy a show pet. It was blatant objectification and should have disgusted me, should have turned my stomach.

It did just the opposite. I felt hot, every nerve in my body awake and wanting. So why the hell were we still sitting apart?

I curled on my side to face him better. “I like hearing that. Thank you. Should I tell you that I’m happy looking at you as well?”

“It doesn’t matter. But out of curiosity, are you?”

Most men expected to hear it, even when they knew it was a lie. I was particularly good at making them believe it. But it was with complete sincerity that I answered this time. “Yes.”

Reeve considered. “Huh. Maybe it matters after all.”

We were flirting. After everything we’d danced around. I was naked and he was hard and instead of touching, instead of kissing, instead of sating ourselves in each other, we were flirting.

I sat up and turned, placing my feet on the tiled ground. “Is that the purpose of today? Just looking? Or do you have further intentions for me?”

Reeve rubbed his hands together. “So many questions. So eager.” He dropped his hands to his lap and tilted his head toward me. “Honestly, I haven’t decided yet.”

“Any other man would have cast me by now. Can you tell me what else you need to decide? I’m dying here.” I rubbed my thighs together to accentuate my statement but also in an attempt to soothe the ache that had taken residence between them.

Reeve sat forward and pierced me with a look that made me still. “You want to know what I need, Emily? I need you to acknowledge that you know who the director is.”

I didn’t even blink. “You. Of course. What else?”

He shook his head. “We’re not done with that one. It’s the sticking point right now. You say I’m the director, but we both know that you fight that. You like to direct as well.”

I opened my mouth to protest but stopped myself. Why wouldn’t he see it that way? It was what I’d shown him all along – I’d pushed and bullied and tried to do things my way because it was the only way I thought I could get close to him. How ironic that it wasn’t at all what I wanted? That what he really wanted from me in return was exactly what I wanted to give? Something I hadn’t let myself give to anyone in a long time.

I wrapped my arms around myself and studied my pedicure. “No,” I said finally. Honestly. “That’s not true. I’ve just had my trust betrayed in the past and now it’s harder to give up the control.” My voice was thick and on the verge of cracking, yet the next words came without force. “And maybe it’s not fair to ask you to be patient with me, but I promise I can be worth it. Because I want to be directed.” I lifted my eyes to his. “I want to be directed by you.”

Even though I’d taken off my clothes just minutes after I arrived, this was the first moment I truly felt naked.

Reeve stared at me, unflinching. Nothing softened or changed in his features, but when he spoke, his tone was grittier, more threadbare, as if my plea had somehow made him more vulnerable too. “In that case, all that’s left is the screen test.”

I searched his eyes looking for the invitation that I assumed his words gave. When I wasn’t sure whether I found it or not, I took a guess and dropped to my knees in front of him, reaching for the drawstring at his waist.

He brushed my hand away. “No.” But before I could let frustration take hold of me, he clarified. “I’m certain your mouth feels good. I’ve kissed it and I have a good imagination. I’m more curious about your cunt.”

Then I had read him right. Hallefreakinlujah. Because I didn’t want to wait anymore. My body was ready and needy and I wanted him inside me more than I wanted my next breath.

I leaned back on my elbows, spread my legs, and trailed one finger up the length of my bare slit. “Well, here it is,” I said with a naughty smile.

Reeve’s eyes grew dark and narrow.

Then, without warning, he was on me, holding me down on the rough concrete, my arms pinned at my sides as he hovered inches above me. His expression, though filled with lust, was hard and angry. “Don’t tease me. Don’t ever tease me. I take what I want, when I want, how I want. Don’t ever believe that anything you do can influence my actions. Is that clear?”

I swallowed, fear and excitement coursing through me with equal ferocity. “Yes.”

“Who’s the director?”

“You.” I barely managed not to stutter, and hell if I wasn’t wetter than I’d been all morning.

He nodded once, sharply. “I’m going to fuck you now. I’m not going to wear a condom. I’ve seen your health records —”

I was too surprised to think before cutting him off. “You’ve seen my health records?”

He clamped his hand, hard, over my mouth. Then he loosened his grip, letting his fingers tug at my lower lip. “I’m not sure you understand who I am yet, Emily.”