Amber's Allure

by Ella Fox

  Unfortunately for Robert, I’d been getting more and more agitated thinking about what could’ve happened to her. Someone could’ve touched her, a thought that made my blood boil.

  “Where are her parents and why are they allowing her to come to a goddamn sex store for school? What the actual fuck?”

  At that moment I was so pissed I could’ve spit nails. Natalie needed protecting. I was feeling territorial and fucking angry that no one was caring for my girl the way she deserved.

  That’s right.

  Mine.

  All. Fucking. Mine.

  No one who wasn’t me would ever touch her again. I’d just met her and already I was thinking about spending the rest of my life inside of her. She belonged to me, full stop.

  That was insane, but what was crazier was my dick sending out a claimed vibe. I could almost hear the fucker yelling that he was hers and only hers. Forever. Even then, only minutes into knowing her, I knew I’d never touch another woman as long as I lived.

  “It’s just her mom, and she’s away on business until after Natalie’s graduation,” Robert explained. “Nat lives right above me and even though she’s old enough to live alone, we’re keeping an eye on her while Jane is gone. This worked out perfectly because I can be involved. Don’t worry, she isn’t going to disclose anything about the store, man. The high school won't know which store she shadowed me in. I work for a variety of retail stores, and they already know that for confidentiality reasons specific brands and locations can't be divulged. No one will ever realize she was here.”

  Her mother being away on business was bullshit. What kind of parent left her kid before graduation? Maybe if it were anyone else, I’d have been okay with the whole thing. I’m not sure. The only thing I knew with absolute certainty right then was I was not about with Natalie being there.

  “I give zero fucks about what the school knows or what they approved. I only care about her safety and I’m not cool with this. Natalie can’t be here or any of the other stores,” I bit out tersely.

  Robert’s face went a shade of green as he gaped at me. “This is a graduation requirement for her,” he exclaimed. “After today she doesn’t even go back to class anymore. I need to sign off and verify that she was observing and learning about business math and retail pricing structures.”

  “I won’t cause any trouble,” she promised.

  My gaze immediately went back to her. I’d been trying not to look directly at her in the hopes my dick would let out a little of the goddamn concrete it seemed to be full of. No such luck.

  The way she looked at me told a story. Her eyes were dilated, her cheeks flushed. She was ripe for the picking and knowing that didn’t soften my dick one little bit. In fact, my looking down at her and seeing evidence of her attraction to me made the fucker drool. If I hadn’t been wearing skin tight boxer briefs and black pants, I’d have been on the verge of humiliating myself with a stain. I gritted my teeth and steeled myself from imagining coming on her, in her, or down her throat. My need for her was ferocious and it was growing bigger by the minute.

  Natalie could promise until the cows came home, and it wouldn’t change a damn thing. She was trouble whether she intended to be or not.

  “You can’t help it,” I said softly.

  I didn’t want her there, in the store, but I also knew I couldn’t send her away never to be seen again. There was no fucking way I was letting that happen. Not when I’d just found her.

  “I won’t be able to graduate if I don’t do this,” she said pleadingly.

  I was barely holding onto my shit knowing she’d been out on the floor and she’d only been there for a few minutes. I knew if I backed down and tried to roll with it for six weeks, I’d go insane. She couldn’t be in the goddamn store, and that was that.

  My mind scrambled as I tried to figure out a solution. Everything I thought of involved keeping her with me, permanently.

  Right where she belonged.

  The way I was feeling toward her was pure caveman. I tried to think business and solutions but kept getting distracted by thoughts of holding her in my arms while she slept.

  Bottom line, I was not letting her go. She stayed with me, no matter what. The only reason Robert was still standing right then was because he was gay. If I thought for a second he’d had lustful feelings about her; I’d have fired him on the spot.

  From the very first instant, Natalie was reshaping my world. I’d never felt so territorial about anyone or anything before.

  A grin spread across my face when a solution finally occurred to me.

  “She’ll come work with me,” I announced.

  A breathy little gasp escaped her.

  “I will?” she questioned.

  I looked her over, checking to see if she was against the idea. As much as I wanted her, if she didn’t feel safe with me or had indicated in any way that she didn’t want to go, I’d have figured out another way. From the very first moment, she came first, no matter what. She still looked nervous, but she didn’t look like someone who didn’t want to go. Quite the opposite, in fact.

  “Yes,” I confirmed. “You’ll love it.”

  “My project has to relate in some way to business math,” she said anxiously. “If you won’t let me into the store…”

  “I own more than just sex stores,” I explained. “We’ll be working at my record store. I sell vinyl to collectors.”

  Robert choked out a laugh of disbelief. “Jesus, Jordan. You live damn near two hours away,” he squeaked. “Do you know how fucked it is to ask her to drive back and forth from Riverside to Malibu for six weeks? That’s at least four hours in the car every day! The junker she drives would probably explode on day one. That’s not cool, man.”

  I shut him down with a withering look, angry that he in any way questioned how far I’d go to keep her safe. I calmed down by reminding myself of what I knew for a fact. Mainly, that I was his biggest account, which meant he didn’t want to fuck with me. He’d only been my accountant for sixteen months, but I paid a fuck load for him to be at my beck and call. He was making more than he’d ever earned before and I knew he loved the job. Without me, he’d make sixty percent less a year, which I knew gave me leverage. The certainty that he was questioning me purely because he cared for Natalie was the only thing that kept me from snapping his head off.

  “That won’t be a problem since she’ll be staying with me. This way, she won’t need to go back and forth at all. She doesn’t even need to bring the car with her. I’ll take care of her,” I stated calmly.

  I planned to make it permanent, fast. In addition to coming with me (and never stepping foot into one of my sex stores again), she would not be driving a car referred to as a junker. I would do whatever it took to make damn sure my girl only ever had the best from there on out.

  I’d have been worried and maybe even scared of how desperate I was to claim her if I hadn’t inherently known I wouldn’t be able to go on without her.

  Robert’s jaw dropped as he realized what I said. “Stay with you?” he sputtered. “That’s crazy! You don’t even know her.”

  What was crazy was just how wrong he was. On a cellular level, I knew everything I needed to about her. And the most important fact was that I needed her with me. She was mine and I was hers. Both were facts.

  “She’ll be more than safe with me,” I assured him.

  “Of course she would,” he said in a conciliatory voice. “I wasn’t saying she wouldn’t be, but… I mean come on, man. You don’t think it would be weird having a girl you don’t even know underfoot?”

  I didn’t. I knew she wasn’t going to be underfoot. She was going to be at my side. She was going to be cared for. She was going to be worshipped. And she was going to be under me, taking my cock. Not wanting to show too much of my hand to Robert in case he decided to do something stupid like attempt to keep her away from me, I decided to try being calm. If it didn’t work, I’d be throwing down. One way or the other, she was l
eaving with me.

  “If you want her to get the work experience for the senior project, it’s the only way I see to make it happen. That’s on you, though,” I bluffed. “If you’re cool with her failing I’ll just butt out of it.”

  “The decision is mine. I want to go with Jordan,” Natalie interjected firmly.

  As she spoke, she stepped in closer to me, close enough for our arms to touch. I stifled a groan and tried not to move. The closer she was, the more I wanted to hold on to her. It felt wrong not to be anchored to her in some way—holding her hand or wrapping my arm around her waist. In my entire life, I’d never had even one second where I felt like that way toward anyone until she exploded into my life.

  Robert looked back and forth between us dubiously. “Sweetie, are you sure? You don’t know him.”

  “I know you’ve said he’s a dream to work for, and he’s quickly become your favorite client,” she answered. “He’s someone you do business with, not a stranger.”

  Robert was conflicted, which meant it was time for me to allay his fears. Somehow I needed to do it without straight up lying, too. I was not about to fucking tell him he had nothing to worry about as far as me touching her went. Even if he believed me, I knew I’d be busted pretty damn fast since I had no intention of keeping her a secret. I wanted everyone to know she was mine—and vice versa.

  “Look, she’ll never be safer than she’s going to be with me,” I assured him. “My house is massive, so it’s not like I don’t have the room for her. She’s going to live in the lap of luxury, right above the beach while being pampered to within an inch of her life. I promise Natalie won’t want for a thing. Anything she wants is hers.”

  I meant that literally. If she’d asked me to build her a rocket made of Unicorn hair, I’d have found a way.

  Lifting his arm, Robert rubbed the back of his neck and let out a long breath.

  “I know she’ll be taken care of,” he assured me. “Without a doubt. Don’t think for a second I believe otherwise. It’s just weird that the two of you have never even spoken, and you’re asking her to move in with you for almost two months.”

  I had to bite my lip to keep from pointing out that I wasn’t asking.

  “I’m trying to be helpful,” I said. “She can’t be here, man. You should’ve seen the looks she was getting out there. This is no place for someone like Natalie.”

  He grimaced and looked away. “I swear I told her not to go out onto the floor,” he groaned.

  “He did. Don’t be mad at him,” Natalie said pleadingly, biting her lip as she stared at me with a worried expression.

  Looking down into her gorgeous face, I once again realized there was nothing I wouldn’t do to make her happy. I wanted to give her the fucking world. The idea of denying her anything was abhorrent. Fortunately, in that moment, I had the ability to settle her mind easily.

  “I’m not mad at him,” I said soothingly.

  Her smile was like sunshine, so hot I could feel the heat coming from it. I’d do anything to make her smile at me just to bask in the glow.

  “Thank you, Jordan,” she murmured.

  I wanted to tell her she never had to thank me for doing what came to me as naturally as breathing, but our conversation was interrupted by my bookkeeper, Roslyn, stepping into the hall.

  “Hey,” she called out cheerfully. “Are you guys coming in or do we now do hallway business?”

  “Plans have changed,” I answered. “You’ve got everything under control, and you don’t need me here. I trust you enough to know there’s no reason for me to micromanage. You and Robert have at it. Give me a rundown at the end of every day and if there’s anything I need to do, I’ll get on it.”

  Ros stumbled, her eyes widening as she gaped at me for a second. She looked shocked but ecstatic as she shook her head in wonder. “Wow,” she laughed, “I guess miracles do still happen. I never even hoped… I mean. Wow,” she said again. “Yes, I’ve got this. I’ll give you a detailed briefing each night.”

  It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her I wouldn’t be devoting hours to talking things over, but I let it go. If I started showing my caveman cards there in the hall, Robert could have decided to block me and I didn’t need that at all.

  “You’ll do great,” I said sincerely. “Head on back into the meeting room. Robert will be right there.”

  After Ros had walked away, I turned my attention back to Robert.

  “Well?”

  He shook his head. “Not like I’ve got much choice. You’re right. She shouldn’t be around the store. I didn’t think it would be a problem, but I can’t fault her for being curious. Besides, she’s an adult. I can’t hold her against her will.”

  I breathed out slowly, forcing myself not to show how relieved I was by his acceding to my plan. I was one step closer to having Natalie where she belonged—which was with me, but I knew I needed to do something else to get him totally on board.

  “How about you and Eric come out to the ‘Bu in a couple of weeks?” I offered. “We’ll hit the beach and barbecue. It’ll be a fun time.”

  When Rob’s face lit up, I knew the invitation had been the right move.

  “That’d be great,” he answered enthusiastically. “I’ve heard your house is epic.”

  For what I paid to build it, it damn well better have been.

  “It is, and there’s tons to do. You’re welcome to stay over in the guest house.”

  “Wow! That’s awesome. We’d love to.”

  “I’ll email you, and we can pick a weekend.”

  Just like that, I had him in the palm of my hand.

  More importantly, I had Natalie.

  “Make sure you email your mom and tell her about this,” he said to her.

  “I will,” she assured him.

  I was miffed neither one of them expressed any concern about Natalie’s mom hitting the roof when she found out about the new arrangement. I knew for damn sure I’d have a fuck of a lot to say if my daughter up and moved in with a stranger. Granted, my intentions were better than good, and I planned to take care of Natalie forever, but still. A parent should’ve been worrying about her.

  I stood by silently as Robert and Natalie spent a few minutes talking about how he’d need to check her mail while she was gone. After she gave him a hug and a kiss goodbye and assured him she would text him later that night, I shook his hand and then escorted her out of the store.

  Sweet Like Candy Excerpt

  Sweet Like Candy

  Copyright 2018 Ella Fox

  It was the Friday before my nephew’s fourth birthday and I’d been recruited to run errands for my sister who was preparing for the party. I admit to being a little put-out about having to leave the office, drive out to my sister’s to get my nephew, only to then turn back to drive all the way back to a bakery located a mere two blocks from my office. My sister raved about their stuff, but I’d never ventured in even though she’d been bugging me about it for months. With my work schedule as extreme as it was, I didn’t have a lot of time to hit up bakeries.

  I’d agreed to cut out of work and do the errand because Emmett, as my only nephew, was my special dude. I adored my nieces but Emmett and I shared a unique connection. Also, my sister would’ve given me a purple nurple if I hadn’t agreed to do her bidding and that shit hurt like hell.

  Jamie might’ve been a married mother of three with a fourth on the way, but she would always be my much-loved bossy older sister. The two of us were best friends, our bond unbreakable after we lost our parents and our little brother Steven in a car accident. I’d been sixteen and Jamie was eighteen when it happened.

  Jamie had fought for guardianship of me, never once wavering in her decision, not even when I begged her to leave me behind. It had killed me to watch my sister giving up her college scholarship in order to get a job waitressing to support us both. Our parents hadn’t been rich—far from it—so they hadn’t had life insurance or anything left behind to keep us going. Th
e remaining car was repossessed and the lease on the townhome we rented hadn’t been something Jamie could afford to keep up with.

  I’d gotten a job as a cashier at the local Walmart in order to help, but it hadn’t made much of a difference since I wasn’t allowed to work near as much as I needed to. My sister had been a machine, her one and only focus being my ability to get a college scholarship. Because of her focus and guidance I had. I was very aware I owed it all to her. It was a large part of the reason I worked like a fucking madman, always anxious to increase my bottom line. Just in case. I was extremely well off, but it never felt like enough. Even after Jamie married a man who was more than able to take care of her, I kept right on working like a fiend. Again, just in case. What if something happened to her husband and they needed something? I needed the stability money brought and at this point I accepted it and embraced it. Work was good. I had little to no social life but it didn’t bother me. My sister was the only one who never seemed to get the memo that I liked being alone.

  As if she knew the direction of my thoughts she looked up at me and smiled. I knew she thought the smile was innocent but I wasn’t fooled by it.

  “Guess what?” she asked cheerfully.

  I knew my sister, which meant I had a very good idea of what was coming my way. I said nothing and waited for her to inform me of whatever her new fix-up plan for me was.

  “Harrison’s friend Mike’s new secretary is coming tomorrow,” she announced while I belted Emmett into his car seat. “She’s adorable and super single.”

  Ding, ding, ding. My sister was nothing if not reliable. I smirked and glanced back at her over my shoulder at her. “You realize you’re about as subtle as a wrecking crew, right?”

  She shrugged. “I’m through trying to be subtle—I’m worried about you,” she replied sternly. “It’s insane to me that you don’t date. I don’t want you to end up alone, Ry.”

  “I like being alone, JJ,” I reminded her.