by Lola Darling
The cab pulls up to the hotel. A valet greets me immediately, forcing my trepidation away as I get out and wrap my fingers around my gold clutch, and pray, pray, pray that I don’t trip and fall on my face or something equally ridiculous. My phone beeps with a message from Rob to meet just inside the lobby. I’ve met him once before, and he seems like a decent guy considering his sole job is to hang around taking incriminating photos.
I step beneath The Drake’s famous illuminated banner canopy and through the gleaming glass doors. People mill about the marble lobby, and I take a second to breathe the opulence in. Goosebumps prickle my forearms. I can’t help it. The rich blue carpet beneath my feet sets the stage for a room glittering with elegance.
“Juliet, darling.”
Someone touches my back. Rob smiles, his tanned skin highlighting the perfect white of his teeth. He leans close as if we’re well acquainted, part of the act, I suppose, and I follow along, leaning into him and putting a smile on my face.
“You look lovely. Just perfect. Here’s how we do this. The target is in Coq d’Or.” He leads me in the direction of the famous whiskey bar, and I’m so nervous I have to concentrate to hear Rob over the rush of my own pulse in my ears.
“Second stool to the last on the right. Gray Armani suit. Brown hair.” Rob continues, nodding across the room. “Get cozy. As cozy as you’re comfortable with. A kiss seals the deal, usually, so… Callie does her best to get him to attempt it, anyway.”
“A kiss?” I gulp. Callie never said anything about kissing.
“It never goes farther, hon,” Rob reassures me. “His hand on your knee, leaning in to whisper in your ear. Any of that. Look, just do your thing. I’ll text you as soon as I have what I need, and we’re out of here.”
I swallow and nod. Rob nudges me. “I’ve been hovering around that empty seat next to him, so hurry over there before some skank grabs it. I’ll be right back here.” He indicates an empty table in the back. It’s somewhat shadowed, perfect for him to snap his evidence.
Running a hand down my hair, I square my shoulders and take quick steps towards the bar. Nope, too quick. I’ll face plant at this rate, and that’s no way to make a first impression. With a breath, I slow my steps, focusing on the feel of the dress swirling around my bare legs, how my breasts bounce a little as I walk in the nude kitten heels. Sexy. Confident. It’s like playing a part, I decide. Acting in a play. I just have to pretend to be the kind of girl who picks up men in bars.
Easy.
I slide onto the stool beside the target and set my clutch on the bar. Then I glance over for the first time at the man I’m supposed to entice.
He’s hot.
Not just hot, but smoldering. Oh shit. My insides flip. I wasn’t prepared for hotness. He’s facing away from me and I can only see his profile: rich brown hair, a strong jaw, and the kind of sexy, arrogant expression that makes me think of one of those guys in a British costume drama: the kind with a massive country estate who looks great wading out of a lake.
Tonight, he’s all alone, sipping something that looks like whiskey. I look away, wanting to stay casual, but when I glance back, he’s looking straight at me.
My heart slams into my chest.
His blue eyes are cool, assessing. His suit is clearly tailor-made, or just expensive as hell, and the white button down molds to his muscular torso like threads of the gods.
I don’t dare look down to see how his pants fit.
He turns away and so do I, my cheeks burning as I grapple for something to say.
Not that it matters, really. Not with the way he looked at me just now, like I was uninteresting, mundane, plain, not worth a spark of interest. I reach for my clutch, wondering if I should give up and leave right now, when suddenly, fingers brush over the back of my hand.
“What’s your pleasure?”
My stomach clenches and my pulse quickens. Am I really going to do this?
Chapter Two
“Highland scotch,” I say as naturally as I can with my head spinning and my heart pounding fast. I’ve ordered scotch before but never under the gaze of a man like this. My skin tingles as I catch his denim blue eyes, seeing a flash of interest now at my order.
Damn, those are great eyes. The kind that wouldn’t break a stare for a moment, not even if he was naked, that chiseled body bearing down on mine, my legs wrapped tight around his waist, my mouth exploring the dip of his collarbone—
The bartender arrives, jerking me back to reality. He places a glass in front of me, and I realize that while I was having dirty sex with the target in my head, he went ahead and ordered for me.
“Glenmorangie,” he says. His eyes are crinkling at the corners as if he’s amused. Then he raises his glass slightly, and I do the same, trying to hide my shaking hand. I forget to smell the scotch first, because who cares, I just need the whiskey in me, so I take a sip.
It coats my tongue with silken fire, both dry and sweet as it slides down my throat. We set our glasses down at the same time, and I notice the sharpness of his suit, how well tailored it is. The cuff sits perfectly on his wrist, the peek of a silver cufflink making me squirm on my seat. His persona speaks precision and control, while he wears an aura of raw sexuality like a second skin.
If he snapped his fingers and told me to drop to my knees, I’d probably do it without an ounce of forethought.
“Thank you,” I manage before hastily taking another sip and willing it to boost my flirting IQ by a few hundred points. Even though I need to lead him on, I need to be mindful of my response to him so I don’t get in over my head. His gaze falls to my necklace. It’s one of Emily’s designs, distinctive gold wire twisting around my collarbone and falling in a delicate chain to a single pearl drop that sits between my breasts. My skin tingles and I think he might reach out and touch me.
He doesn’t.
“My pleasure….” He pauses, waiting for my name. I think fast because I have no idea if I’m supposed to give him my real identity or not.
“Julie.”
He shakes my hand. He has long, firm fingers, but I feel a callous or two, which completely contradicts his suit. One screams wealth and power, but the slide of his roughed palm says otherwise.
“And you are?” I ask, remembering a flirty smile.
His eyes narrow and he pauses, almost as if he’s waiting for me to say something… acknowledge him maybe. I realize that he looks a little familiar, but I can’t place him. The amount of well-dressed, sexy and powerful men I run into on a daily basis amounts to zero, so I’m sure I’d recall if we’d met before.
“Andrew.” He cocks an eyebrow and his hand is slow to fall away. Mine too, and when I do let go, my fingers feel cool and empty. He doesn’t look like an Andrew, and I’m sure he’s fudging his name the same as me.
Keeping my smile friendly, I ponder just how to go about this flirting thing. Clearly, Andrew doesn’t share my problem. He fixes me with a smile.
“Meeting someone tonight?”
I give him the cover story Callie coached me with. Men don’t want an easy target, so it’s best to seem like meeting is an accident.
“Actually, my friend and I were going to meet for drinks, but she can’t make it now.” I try to look disappointed.
“I like that you came anyway.” He tilts his head and I have the impression he’s sizing me up. “I think people forget how to do things alone.”
“Me too,” I agree, leaning toward him despite my still-very-present nerves. “My friends would never go to a movie or dinner alone, but I like it. It gives me a chance to relax on my own, let my thoughts wander. Stop worrying about my game face.” He smiles and I feel my nerves start to calm a little. Maybe I’ll be able to pull this off after all.
“You mean you don’t just want to be glued to your cell phone all the time?” Andrew nods over to the corner, where a man and woman are sharing a table – both of them ignoring each other to stare at their cell phone screens.
Andrew and I
share an amused look. “Not me,” I laugh. “I’m so behind with technology, I was still using one of those old-fashioned flip-phones, right up until I accidentally dropped it in the tub!”
He smiles again. “So you like to think, and aren’t obsessed with taking selfies all day. Who are you, and what planet are you from?” he teases, leaning closer.
His fingers brush against mine on the bar. I feel a rush of heat, unsettling me.
“What about you?” I ask, changing the subject. “Is that why you’re here tonight: you need some time to think?”
Andrew pauses, before meeting my eyes. “Actually, I’m more a man of action.”
Oh really.
I lower my eyes, feeling my cheeks burn, catching a glimpse of his bulging thigh and the length of his leg before sliding my gaze back to his. My pulse ticks up hard enough to make me nearly forget what I was about to say.
“Well.” I try and pull it together. Focus on the assignment. “I’m glad we stumbled onto each other. I was hoping to celebrate a bit tonight, and that’s not much fun… alone.” As recoveries go, that was pretty good. Considering the innuendo, that, once out of my mouth, didn’t feel scandalous. It was… honest. Given the chance to drink alone or have Andrew’s hands down my pants, the salacious part of me would choose hands.
“And what is the occasion for celebration?” He leans towards me, leaving mere inches between us. If either of us leans anymore, we’ll fall off our stools.
Without thinking, I answer honestly. “I start an internship tomorrow. At the…” I gulp down the word ‘Rexford’ before I can give myself away. I’m playing a part tonight, remember? And Callie already told me, getting personal with the target is the number one no-no.
But if I’m not telling the truth, what can I say to him?
“Where’s the internship?” Andrew asks, looking curious.
My mind goes blank. I look desperately around the room, and my eyes land on one of the black-and-white photos behind the bar: an old fashioned magic show with a man sawing a woman in half.
“Magic!” I blurt.
Andrew blinks.
“Um, did you hear about Illusion Fusion who just performed at the Chicago Theater?” I cover quickly. Now would be a great time for Rob to text and say we were done. Like, right now.
“Magic show?” He shakes his head, eyes twinkling with amusement. “Can’t say that I have.” Ha, me neither. I’d read about the group performing at the Theater, but beyond that, I know nothing about Illusion Fusion. Hopefully he won’t ask too many questions.
“What position are you interning for?” He adds, “Sexy assistant?”
I raise an eyebrow. “Yes, actually.” Taking another sip of scotch, I lick my lower lip to catch a drop, noticing how he eyes me with a cool, yet intrigued stare. His eyes are so expressive, revealing what he won’t allow the rest of his face to show.
Something tells me he doesn’t smile much.
I decide to test my theory. “I was a little taken aback at the uniform, honestly. Skin tight body suit, cut to here.” I make an arch over my hip. “And patterned like a lizard.”
Andrew chokes on his drink. “What?”
“It’s some reptile theme,” I continue brightly. “I have to hiss too. It’s so snug up top, I feel like my chest is going to spill right out of it.” I touch my necklace, drawing his attention to my breasts. Flirting is coming way too easily.
Maybe the whiskey is helping with that.
Andrew chuckles. “When is the next show? I’m pretty sure I need to see that.”
He casually places his hand all the way over mine on the bar, and brushes his thumb across the back of my knuckles. It’s a small gesture, totally innocent, but it sends heat racing through my body.
I gulp, already feeling way out of my depth.
“What about you?” I blurt. “What do you do?”
“You’ll never believe it,” he says easily, bringing my knuckles to his incredible lips. His mouth parts slowly, his eyes on mine, then presses a kiss to my hand. His lips brush my skin with sensual heat.
My smile fades, a hot desire stirring between my legs.
“Try me,” I ask breathlessly.
“I’m a lion tamer.”
I laugh in shock – surprised he would even crack a joke. Maybe there is a sense of humor lurking under his controlled exterior. “So, spandex pants and a whip,” I tease. “Impressive.”
I cross my legs without thinking, shifting to get more comfortable on the stool. Andrew looks down, and I follow his gaze. My legs look smooth and sexy, tapering down to the sexy heels. Why don’t I dress up more often? I’m turning myself on.
He rests a hand on my knee.
Oh boy. I take another gulp of my drink to cool down, but the whiskey just burns hotter in my veins. “So, lion taming…” I try to seem unaffected. “Is it hard, wrangling all those beasts into submission?”
Andrew’s lips turn up—a genuine smile that makes me realize he’s younger than I thought. He can’t be more than twenty-nine to my twenty-three but until now, he looked older, burdened by heavy responsibility and stress. I bet he looks relaxed and easy like this when he’s sleeping, free of the day-to-day pressure and relentless expectations.
“I wouldn’t know, Julie, because none have dared to disobey me.”
Could he get any hotter? I think I saw a tendril of smoke coming off that taunting tongue.
“I see.” Heat rushes through me. “Well, what would happen if one did?” I ask, teasing now.
“You’re leading me to believe that you’re not very obedient.” His words are casual, but his hand squeezes my thigh, full of meaning.
“I’m not,” I reply. “You’d probably have to punish me. With your… whip.”
Time seems to stop in the moment the words leave my mouth. This is so not me! The things I’m saying are things that Callie would say. I’m pulling off her game better than I’d thought I would. Even it if doesn’t seem like a ploy anymore, but rather a woman flirting with a man for no other reason than to get closer.
No photographer. No pretenses. Just natural, enigmatic, physical connection.
Sex.
Andrew stands and my heart drops. Before I can lament having screwed this up so fast, he takes my hand, grabs his drink and indicates that I should do the same.
“Come,” he says. I follow his command.
Leading me to the corner of the room, we find an empty table and he scoots the chairs together, holding mine as I sit.
It happens fast, this new privacy and the way he turns and takes my chin in his palm. His cologne plays on my senses as he leans into me. His lips are close enough that sparks jump like electric kisses over my lips. Swallowing hard, I can’t figure out if I’m more nervous or aroused.
“You might want to disobey, to deny my desires. But in the end, punishment won’t be necessary because you’ll bend and do exactly as I say.” Andrew winks, but there’s little humor in it. The depth of his expression reveals that he’s serious, and more than a little determined to test his theory.
So am I.
But I play it off, because the danger I wanted to avoid before? Here it is, full-bodied and wrapping around the both of us. Andrew is more man than I know how to handle. Yet, I’ve started this and I want to know where he’ll take it.
I look at his lips. “That’s very arrogant of you.”
“Perhaps.” He leans in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Arrogance can be sweet with a payoff like this.”
“Like what?” I’m asking even as his lips touch mine. That first soft press sends sparks in every direction, all of them pooling between my legs. His grip tightens around my waist as the kiss deepens. His lips part, encouraging mine to follow suit. I do, welcoming the slide of his tongue along mine before he plunges it deep into my mouth.
My nipples harden, pleading to be pressed against his chest. A moan works loose from my throat and I feel his smile—satisfied with himself for making me melt so easily. Heart pumpin
g, fire laces my veins, my fingers clenching with the need to touch him. But if I do, I’ll unravel and do exactly what he predicted: anything he asks.
Andrew pulls back, his thumb making a soft sweep across my bottom lip. The sound of my breathing fills my head, followed by something else…something annoying, like my phone.
“Oh!” I reach for my clutch with trembling hands, and rummage around before finding my cell. “Excuse me a minute.” I don’t look at Andrew as I open the text message. I need the space to pull myself together.
It’s from Rob. We’re good. Meet me in the lobby.
Rob. In a flash, I remember what I’m doing here – and why I started flirting with Andrew in the first place.
It was all just a job.
I’ll be right out, I reply, then tuck my phone away.
“Anything important?” Andrew asks, watching me.
“Kind of. I have to get going,” I say, my pulse still racing from the kiss.
He catches my hand.
“Come upstairs with me. One more drink, in private, before the evening ends.”
Reluctantly, I pull away.
“I’m sorry, but I really can’t stay.” I stand before I can change my mind. “It was nice meeting you.”
He blinks, like he can’t believe I’m really going. And before he can ask me again to stay –tempt me with that wicked mouth— I grab my purse and bolt.
Rob meets me by the doors, and takes my elbow. “You were amazing! I got everything I need.”
“Great,” I answer faintly, feeling totally off-balance.
I follow him outside. “You need a ride?” Rob asks, nodding towards a parking lot down the street. “I can drop you at Callie’s.”
“No, it’s fine. I think I’m going to walk a bit.” It’s a beautiful night, and besides, I need some time to pull myself together. My reaction to Andrew was chemical, physical. Exciting. And wrong to take further.
“Suit yourself. Tell your cousin, she’s got competition!” He winks, then walks away, leaving me alone on the sidewalk outside the hotel.