Page 81 of Carnal Games

With the focus on the auction, the rooms and the halls are empty. The minute it’s over, it will be bustling with people with nothing but debauchery on their minds and their inhibitions loose. A long night filled with the sounds of grunts and moans and whimpers.

We walk past the spot where Zain caught Iris. I pause near the cherry red door and swipe the card until it springs open. Holding it open, I let her enter first to catch her unbidden reaction. After all, she was a little too eager to be here last night.

Even if Zain hadn’t intercepted, she wouldn’t have been able to trespass. The alarm system would’ve gone off the instant her palm touched the door. It has sensors all over it that can recognize the fingerprints of the personnel allowed.

Iris doesn’t disappoint, letting loose a tiny gasp as she gapes at the large, wide-open space with three glass-walled corner offices and the security room. What has her eyes bugging out is the number of screens mounted on the walls, playing the live feed of every nook and cranny of the club.

I clear my throat as she comes to a standstill.

She jumps and glances over her shoulder at me, biting the inside of her cheek like she wants to ask something, but is hesitant. I wait patiently, knowing her curiosity will win the fight. Letting her cheek go, she licks her fat bottom lip and utters, “You watch?”

“Yes.”

“Everything?”

I want to probe what she means by ‘everything’.

Because if she means everything about her from last night? Then yes. Especially, the part where she got lost and stumbled outside one of the occupied rooms. In a state of shock or fascination, she stared unblinkingly. I couldn’t control myself from zooming in and viewing the color hit her already rosy cheeks.

The subtle hint of fear in her gaze gave away her inexperience with the edgier side of sex. However, it was her biting the corner of her mouth that left me spellbound. Is a deeper, darker part of her tempted to explore?

I pause the trajectory of my thoughts.

It’s a slippery slope.

“I wouldn’t be a good owner if I didn’t keep an eye on everything and everyone.”

Her sharp inhale pops her lip free from where she trapped it between her teeth. The spot, all wet and pink, distracts me. I have to calm down by fisting my hands inside my pockets so she can’t see how insane she’s driving me.

A day, Kian.

Twenty-four hours.

That’s all it has taken for her to unravel you.

“Come on.” I nod toward my office and guide her there. Once she steps inside, admiring the interior, I shut the doors and draw the blinds for privacy. Turning around, my eyes are drawn to the silky tie circling her neck before draping down her spine.

An unfettered image of pulling it until it tightens around her throat sends a frisson of lust through my body.

Instead of going to my desk, I storm toward the bar, biting back a curse when my arm grazes her shoulders.

“Take a seat, Miss Mannan.”

While I pour a shot of scotch, I listen to her footsteps trot toward the chair. I gulp two shots until I’m in utter control of my mind and have locked down the pitiful emotions. Only then do I turn around and stalk to my desk.

“What is the interview for?” I question, unbuttoning my suit jacket as I sit down.

She sits demurely but with confidence. Her eyes reflecting victory at finally succeeding in receiving the opportunity to formally talk with me. “Sahara Timesis launching a new issue in a few months, solely focused on individuals from the business industries. We aim to provide exclusive content that the readers won’t get anywhere else about the influential people in our country.”

“You have plenty of choices,” I state. “Why me?”

Her mouth opens and closes, like she has an answer in mind but doesn’t know if she should say it out loud.

“Tell me the honest truth,” I encourage. “Don’t feed me bullshit by singing my praises or what you think I may want to hear.”

Underneath the transparent glass of my desk, I can see her cross her legs and lean forward to place her steepled hands on the top. Holding my gaze, she replies, “I like a challenge.”

“You don’t say.”