“You’re in high demand,” she quipped.
“Excuse me,” he said, amusement dancing in his eyes.
He pulled the device of his sudden discomfort from his pocket, and his frown deepened. She wondered what it would be like to reach out and touch it, smooth it out.
It was as though he were upset that their conversation had been interrupted, but she wanted to kick herself for even thinking that. First, he was a complete stranger to her, and second, men like Killean Knight didn’t bother to entertain girls like her, nobodies in his world which she knew was filled with beautiful women he could pick, choose, or refuse.
“I should leave you to your…”
Lila half-turned and saw his head snap up. “I look forward to seeing you again, Miss Montgomery. And good luck with your research.”
Lila forced a smile, knowing the chances of that were slim to none. He would forget her the moment he walked out of the building. But she wouldn’t forget him.
CHAPTER THREE
Killean Xavier Knight dragged his hands through his hair, and his fingers shook slightly as they passed through the silky strands. He still couldn’t comprehend the turn of events in his morning. It seemed that Logan had left out a few important details last week because there was no fucking way in hell he had expected the dean of a university to introduce him to the woman he had spent an evening with.
A woman he had shackled to the ceiling, a woman whose face had haunted his dreams since the night he had met her. If someone had told him he would be meeting said woman in the hallways of Columbia after an intense evening, he would have laughed off those predictions.
But yet there she was looking at him with those big sultry grey eyes. The playroom had done nothing to soil her beauty, but seeing her again today had granted him his one desire since he met her.
To see her face again, to get another taste to fulfill a deeper need. The woman was an open book. She tried hard to conceal her feelings, but her eyes, those eyes, a man could get lost in them…and the taste of her…he licked his lips. She still lingered on his tongue, infiltrating his senses. He could also sense her innocence as she had stared into his eyes, awaiting his next move.
He wanted to exploit that innocence. For a moment, he wondered if he could…after all, he was the master of manipulation in the board room and the bedroom. Her presence at the club was for her research. He found it intriguing, her interest in sex and the mind…though that was never a topic that meant much to him, as he considered himself the epitome of darkness.
The things he needed to fulfill his desire would shock any woman who wasn’t as damned as he was. That was why he didn’t invest in relationships. They were just too time-consuming with too much expectation. He didn’t have time for that.
He wondered what Miss Montgomery’s preferences were. Perhaps he could use her quest for knowledge to his advantage. A smile curved his mouth as he began to plan out his strategies.
One way or the other, he was going to get her in his bed withering beneath him.
***
“So have you decided yet?” Aiden asked as he sat next to Lila on the plush sofa.
She frowned as she chewed a fry. Fidgeting with her coffee, she thought about her answer.
“Langman offered me a job as his assistant, and I’ve accepted.”
“I thought you had your eyes set on Knight Industries.”
Oh, I’ve got my eyes set on him all right.
“I’ve decided to put that on hold,” Lila said quickly.
Aiden’s cappuccino eyes narrowed, and he slung his muscular arm over the back of the seat, showing off an array of artistic tattoos. Her eyes stayed fixed on the one that said Aiden & Lila, bordered by an infinity symbol. He’d gotten that a few years ago when they went out and dared each other to do the craziest thing. He hadn’t hesitated when he told the tattoo artist to write that on his arm. The man had asked him twice if he was sure about this. Some relationships weren’t permanent, but that ink in his skin would be.
“Fucking positive,” he had said.
She met his eyes once more to answer his question. “Let’s just say when you’ve been given an opportunity to see what the world is really like, you decide that you don’t like it anymore.”
Aiden was mildly confused, with one eyebrow up and twitching.
“I didn’t grasp that one, Montgomery. You’re being cryptic.”
She glanced down into her empty plate and saw that she was almost out of fries. Aiden had barely touched his, so she snatched it away. He didn’t seem to mind at all.
“I met him this morning, that’s why. We engaged in a conversation, and I’ve changed my mind.”
“I see.” Aiden was smiling now, a cheeky, I-know-your-secret kind of smile.
Lila loved him, but she hated it when he could delve into her mind so easily.
“You like him,” he said in a low voice. “There’s a first for everything, isn’t there?”
Lila felt slightly insulted for a few seconds. Of course she’d entertained boyfriends in the past, but then she hadn’t had time to make the relationships her first priority. Now she guessed she was open for business…for Knight.
She mentally slapped herself for even letting the voice in her head say it. All morning she’d forced herself to push him to the back of her mind, but now his flaming green eyes surfaced in her mind and the sound of his voice washed over her like honey. Lila’s toes curled. She hadn’t even realized she was biting her lip or that her entire body had gone into external shutdown to accommodate her thinking about Killean Knight.
“Lila with a horny expression.” Aiden gave a hard throaty laugh that jolted her back to reality. “This is new,” he added. “I must admit, Lil, seeing you with an I-wanna-fuck-you expression has made my morning. Damn, you made me horny too. If I weren’t in the best friend zone, I’d gladly fuck you now.”
“You have no idea how that disturbs me,” she deadpanned. Lila had suspected for years that there was a possibility that Aiden and she could have been more than friends, but they’d never been any more intimate than a hug or a kiss on the cheek. He treated her like she was untouchable and made silly remarks that she was more appealing to him because he couldn’t have her. They never seemed to cross that line.
“I’ll remember this to the day I die, sweet cheeks.”
Lila tried to look annoyed but failed. She didn’t know how the two of them had become best friends. They were so different and yet incompatible. He was worldly and too experienced and she wasn’t, but he was always there for her.
***
The bold grey steel insignia of KNIGHT INDUSTRIES hung high over the revolving doors of the HQ. Lila wanted to give Knight a chance, to see the place with her own eyes. She stood outside the building with a cup of espresso staring at it as though it was a mammoth about to devour her. Lila knew deep down she wasn’t there for noble reasons. She wanted to see the man again, damn it! Meeting him had awoken something inside her, just like that pleasure god did.
Lila decided to muster her courage and slipped inside for a while to see it up close and personal. She went through the revolving doors and stepped onto the dark marble tiles of a massive lobby all decorated in cool colors. It was ultra-modern, something that belonged to the future. She glanced around, but no one seemed to notice her. Good, she thought.
There were large screens that depicted what the company did with explicit details, showcasing the sleek modern décor of the building and the man himself in a professional business pose wearing glasses. She smiled at how easily he could pull off the sexy enigmatic CEO and the intellect all at once.
The receptionist at the cool grey glass desk was busy talking through her earpiece and everyone else was in their own personal little world. Men and women in expensive suits hurried around. Lila glanced down at her own clothes. They weren’t as classy as theirs, but she could fit right in. She decided to take a seat on the sofa presented to visitors. There were brochures on a table about the compan
y, and she decided to browse through quickly. They had a great internship program. So he wasn’t just exaggerating. Just then she was aware of a shadow looming over her. Lila glanced up, and her eyes flared.
There he was, the man himself, standing before her.
“Mr. Knight, hi—” She was tongue-tied, and he seemed to find this amusing. She was sure women reacted to him this way all the time and he loved it. Maybe it boosted his manly ego. Lila mentally slapped herself. “What are you doing here?”
He smirked. That naughty place in her mind found it erotic sitting looking up into his face as he loomed over her dangerously. Lila felt as though she was kneeling down on her knees in front of him as he held a whip. The image in her mind was so sinful that she had a mini orgasm.
“I run this company, Miss Montgomery,” he answered in a somewhat autocratic tone.
She let out a nervous giggle. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just passing through the area and I decided to stop by.” She placed the brochure back with the others, and her hand trembled.
“You should keep it,” he suggested, then moved with swift, elegant grace to take a seat next to her. Her body tingled at having him so close, and her heart fluttered in her chest, a universal effect, she was sure. Not even a suit could hide his incredibly mouthwatering body. If anything, it emphasized his rippling muscles. He was built like a mountain.
“I didn’t know I’d run into you again after today,” he said.
Me neither. How lucky was she to run into the sexiest man alive twice? Faith had been on her side today, intervening at the most inappropriate times. Lila pressed her thighs together to keep steady. How did one man exert so much power over her? At first she thought working here would be great. But now she could see that it would be a bad idea. It wasn’t easy when one was nursing a little crush on her would-be boss. Not fun at all.
“If you’d like, I could give you a tour.”
“You?” she asked, surprised.
He flashed a dazzling, panty-dropping smile.
Women always react this way around him. It’s not just you. Not that she was giving anything away. She tried to maintain eye contact with him as much as possible.
“I thought you’d have someone on payroll to give tours,” she said breathlessly and glanced away.
“I would like to see to this one myself,” he murmured.
She met his gaze, and he was watching her, totally absorbed like she was some rare exotic creature. Or maybe you have something between your eyes and he’s enjoying the show.
“I’m sure it would be interesting but—”
“You’re weighing out your options,” he finished.
She nodded reluctantly. She glanced at the clock and saw the time.
“I think I’ve taken up enough of your time already, sir. I’m sure you’re quite busy.”
She took her jacket and drink and stood.
“Please.”
“I’ve already taken enough of your time,” she repeated.
“I’ve time to spare at the moment.”
Lila nodded, but she didn’t want to stay here and chat with him while he was wreaking havoc in her body.
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Knight, but I have to get back home.”
He looked somewhat crestfallen, and she tried to shake away the feeling that it was due to her leaving. That was preposterous.
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Knight,” she said politely.
Lila made her hasty retreat out of there. It was only when she was out the doors she realized that she didn’t take the brochure. And she wasn’t going back in there.
***
Lila’s sister India had ordered Indian takeaways by the time she got to their shared condo. India was all about the healthy way in life. She was trim and fit, but that didn’t hinder her from stopping at her favorite burger and pizza outlets once a while. Lila figured after all that vegan crap, a burger would keep her sane. Sometimes she pitied her glamorous model life. That modeling career was how she had managed to acquire a million dollar condominium.
The place was just breathtaking, and it wasn’t the building either. India had forked out a fortune to decorate the place by herself in cool neutrals and monotones because of her love for dark colors. The blends of glass and steel with crystals gave it a sleek, ultra-modern look.
“Anything interesting happen today?” she asked.
“It’s a university. What could have possibly happened?”
“You meeting a cute boy,” India decided.
It was so odd how that question just fell into place, coinciding with Lila’s day.
Lila swallowed the chicken. “Not likely.” The man she’d met today wasn’t cute. He was exciting, sexy, and intimidating, and her stomach went into knots just thinking about him. She thought it was best if she pushed it out of her mind. It was no good dwelling on it. What were the chances of her even getting a man like him anyway? Zero out of ten.
India shrugged, oblivious to Lila’s evasiveness, and turned on the TV. She must be tired tonight or she would’ve caught on already. India wasn’t sure about her love life. She was interested in her childhood best friend Ian while dating someone else or multiple people she wasn’t serious about that she claimed were in the friend zone. Everyone knew she was waiting for Ian to make the first move. The only problem was India didn’t realize it herself.
CHAPTER FOUR
Lila stood in the library with a heavy pile of books on her hip. Professor Langman had stayed up late last night doing some research for a lecture. The man was so smart and yet so uncoordinated. She went down the aisle looking for the designated slots for each book. She had one book left, but she couldn’t seem to find its location. She glanced at the number at the side again and went back up the aisle that shelved linguistic references.
For the entire morning, she’d been thinking about the man she met yesterday. A shiver slipped down her spine, and her heart jolted against her chest. Her skin suddenly started to tingle with the erotic memories. She had never been so attracted to a man in her life before.
She had tried to clear her thoughts of him until she stepped out into the hall and saw the dean. No sign of a sexy billionaire in tow. The Dean had announced he would be here today and was shocked when her heart literally sank. She closed her eyes and told herself it had nothing to do with him not being here.
That was silly. She was just rattled by his looks, which would affect anyone, male or female. There was nothing more to it. You know there is. That little voice in her head would not go away. She’d never been affected by a man like this in her life. Lila placed her palm over her chest where her heart was and felt how hard it was beating.
Lila glanced up, and there he was seated on the edge of a table with one hand crossed over his chest and the other turned up so that his thumb was on his lips. His green eyes were narrowed thoughtfully, and they were focused intently on her. She glanced around the empty library to see if it could be somebody else, but there was no one but the two of them.
The sight of him had caught her off guard, and the heavy book fell from her feeble grip. She caught it before it hit the floor of the silent library.
“Mr. Knight,” she said breathlessly.
“Miss Montgomery.”
“Sir, what are you doing here?”
She saw his palm ball up into tight fist, making his knuckles white. Was it something she said? Had she angered him yesterday?
“I was passing through, and I saw you from the hallway.”
“How long have you been sitting there?” she asked, pushing her glasses up on the bridge of her nose. Lila’s curiosity always got the best of her.
“A while.”
So he had been sitting there just…watching her?
She could hear the sound of her heart thumping against her chest like horses on a race track. Where was that damn book slot? Lila stepped back and slammed into something warm and hard. She almost moaned in pleasure as his large palms came down on
her shoulders to steady her. His touch sent an odd current through her body that instead of settling her only rattled her nerves more. That thumping in her chest became painful, like a hammer.
Lila turned in the cage he’d made by placing both his hand on either side of her head. She tilted her chin up, another stupid mistake, to level their gaze. She could smell his skin, tasting him on the buds of her tongue. It was enticing, heady, and devastating. It made her ache to do certain things right there in that moment. She felt like a rabbit trapped by an eagle.
He pushed up his cuff and glanced down at his expensive watch. Lila noticed that he wore no tie and the buttons at the top of his shirt were pulled, baring glorious flesh. His hair was neatly brushed back in a way that emphasized his high cheekbones and his strong jaw. She’d never seen a man make a suit look so interesting and sexy enough to pique her interest. He wore a black suit today, and something about that color against his skin did it for her. She decided this was her favorite from now on.
She imagined what it would be like to run her fingers and tongue down that strong, sculptured jaw. How much pleasure would she get if she just reached out and laced her fingers through that thick dark hair to see if it felt as silky as she imagined? He glanced up and caught her staring. Lila cleared her throat and pretended to look uninterested. That was when she noticed the small, sultry smile that tugged the corners of his beautiful mouth. He knew.
“And it’s your lunch hour anyway. Come on, Lila. Just one bite.”
She liked the way he said her name, as though it brought him pure joy. “I suppose I could eat.” She was hungry anyway. Just one bite. That sounded as though it meant something far from food.
Wicked Dirty Games (Dirty Billionaire Series Book 1) Page 3