Page 30 of Bought

Something I’m supposed to slink in and steal.

Earn his trust. Then break it.

And I’m overwhelmed by my hatred for the entire plan. And for myself for agreeing.

He circles slowly and deliberately until he’s behind me, and I see his reflection in the window across from me.

My pulse trips.

I go still, as if one wrong move will send the world crashing.

Do I turn to face him?

“Relax,” he says against the crown of my head, his breath warm. “We’re not doing anything you don’t want.”

His hands rest on my shoulders, anchoring me.

“Your turn,” I say, breathless.

“Do you want to be here?” he asks.

More than anything.“Yes.” The word is barely audible—a confession.

“Why?”

The truth cuts out of me before I can stop it. “Because you make me feel safe. And scared. All at once. And I like it.”

His hands flex, then ease, tracing a path down my spine that leaves me trembling. Then his hands are gone. And I’m cold. I want him back.

“Come with me,” he says, and somehow I do.

He gently guides me to a plush gray sofa near the windows. The view is breathtaking. The city sparkles like diamonds scattered across a smoky velvet background. I sit at the far end, pretending to keep my distance, even though my body leans toward him as if I’ve already decided.

He moves closer. I don’t pull away.

My knee tips toward him without meaning to, even though I have no idea what to expect from this night, this moment. My breath hovers in my lungs.

“Two rules,” he says, quiet and steady. “If I touch you and you don’t like it, you say ‘enough’ and I stop. If you want more, you say ‘more’ and I’ll give it to you.”

He’s close enough to devour me, but we’re not touching at all.

I smile. “Complicated.”

“I’ll write it down.”

“You’re impossible.”

“I’m flattered.”

I play along but my chest goes tight. “God, that’s worse.”

“Erin.” The way he says my name makes me ache in my core. He leans in. Heat and muscle. “Do you want me to touch you?”

“Yes.” My eyes don’t leave his.

“I thought as much.”

“I hate how much you’re right.”