Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Ok, so, I really love it here.
“I believe you owe the lady an apology,” Liam says, in a “make my day” tone of voice that, to my dismay, actually makes my heart skip a beat.
No one’s ever defended me before.
No one.
Ever.
Why does it have to be this jerk?
“I’m sorry,” the guy mumbles. “Now let me go.”
“Will you ever speak to the lady like that again?” He gives him another shake.
“No,” the guy says. “Let me go!”
“I think it’s time for you to go home,” Tobias says. “Liam, escort him?”
“Happily,” Liam says, dragging the guy away from the bar by his collar.
They’re gone. I look to Tobias and Travis.
“Thanks, guys,” I say.
Travis jerks his chin up, then goes to the other side of the bar to take drink orders. Tobias turns to me.
“Good man, Liam,” he says. That’s when I remember that Liam and Tobias are long-term friends.
“I forgot you knew each other,” I say. I have so many questions I want to ask, but I don’t want to pry.
“Yeah, we go way back,” Tobias says, taking another sip from his drink. Turning away from me, he frowns at the growing crowd in the room. “No chance you’re game for a demo, Cora?” He’s half-joking but seems nearly desperate. “Can’t believe I can’t find a single woman to bottom for Liam Alexander. And the payout’s not bad, if I don’t say so myself.”
“So, um, what’s the payout?” I ask.
Tobias tells me and I nearly drop the glass I’m holding. “For real?”
“For real.”
“Well, shit,” I mutter, wiping down the counter. “If I didn’t have to work tonight, I would so do it.”
What did I just say? What the hell is wrong with me? I start wiping the counter at a breakneck speed.
“That’s not a problem,” Tobias says. “I can cover this shift during your demo. Hell, I’d love it if you’d demonstrate with him. Then we wouldn’t have to disappoint anyone, and I know you’re levelheaded enough you won’t ruin the scene.”
Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Better than being his sub.
One scene? That I can do.
I’m insane.
“Who’s ruining the scene?” Liam joins us at the bar again, looking at Tobias, not me.
“No one,” Tobias says. “In fact, we’re all set. Cora’s agreed to demo with you.”
I swear I shiver when he swivels those fierce eyes of his back to me.
“Um,” I mumble, before I lose my resolve. “I… I’ve just agreed to do the demo with you.” Right. Tobias just said that. I’m brilliant.
Like, don’t you even think I’m taking you up on that proposition, mister.
He eyes me so coldly, I fear he’ll reject me, and suddenly the knowledge that he can makes my heart hurt a little.
“Sounds good,” he says, his face impassive, save the faintest little twitch in his jaw. “But first, we talk in my private room.”
“Um, sure?”
I move without really thinking, stepping away from the bar, suddenly not so sure about this decision. Liam grasps my elbow firmly, marching me away from the bar to the private rooms down the hall. Is he angry? What the hell?
To my right, I hear the sound of people in the dungeon, but everything seems so far away and muted, as my blood pounds in my ears. I’m so wound up, suddenly nervous as fuck.
I just agreed to let Liam flog me? In front of a room full of people? The look on his face and grip on my arm tell me that just royally pissed him off.
Good.
Jerk.
He sticks a key into a navy-colored door, opens it, and practically shoves me in, slamming the door shut behind him.
“Liam, what are you—?” But I don’t get any further, because in one rapid tug, he shoves me up against the wall, caging me in with an arm on either side of me. My heart stutters in my chest with the way he’s looking at me, like he wants to rip me apart with his bare hands. Damn, he smells good. It isn’t even fair. Those sapphire eyes are alight with fire, and he’s breathing heavily, as if he’s trying to keep himself in check.
“What the fuck do you think you’re playing at?” he asks in a growl.
“What are you doing?” I try to shove him off me, but he’s big and strong and it’s like trying to move a brick wall.
His strong fingers grasp my chin so I can’t look away. “I don’t play games, Cora,” he says, “I do not play games.”
“I don’t— I didn’t mean—”
And then his mouth is on mine, and I can’t think straight, can’t move, because I’m immobilized. I’m losing control of my body because my knees are buckling, but he’s holding me against him, so hard and yet so gentle all at the same time. The kiss is punishing, bruising my lips with its intensity. His fingers rake through hair, a delicious, erotic tug, and my mouth opens further for him.