Page 27 of Claimed By the Boss

“Good evening, Ms.Taylor,” I say as seductively as I can manage.

“Hi,” she answers shyly.

The city fades to a blur outside the windows as my driver pulls away from her building.

She takes a breath and crosses her legs, her hands resting lightly in her lap. Her heels are low, in stark contrast to the stilettos I’m used to seeing on my dates. I wonder if she dislikes uncomfortable shoes, or if she wanted an easy way to run away.

“You look stunning,” I tell her honestly.

She laughs, a soft, startled sound.

“I tried to dress professionally,” she admits. “I’m still not exactly sure what kind of dinner this is.”

“What kind would you like it to be?”

“I’m not sure,” she answers thoughtfully. “Though, I have a feeling it might be the kind that ends with a nondisclosure agreement.”

I tilt my head. “You think you’ll need an NDA?”

“That depends.”

“On what?”

She turns her head toward me. “On whether or not you’re planning to seduce me tonight.”

I don’t answer right away. I let the silence stretch for a beat longer than it should.

Then I say, “Would it matter if I were?”

Her mouth curves. “No,” she says. “But I’d like to be warned.”

I shift slightly, leaning back, watching her.

“You seem like the kind of woman who prefers to be surprised.”

“Only when I’m in control of the outcome.”

I smile. “Control is overrated.”

“Easy to say when you’re the one in control.”

My eyes sweep over her again, slower this time.

I lower my voice. “Trust me, Ms.Taylor,” I say. “You’re in a lot more control of this situation than you may think.”

She doesn’t look away.

This is what I wanted. Not a timid dinner. Not forced small talk. Just this. Watching her walk into it with her eyes open, not flinching. Not folding. Maybe she’s too young for me, but she seems up for the challenge.

The car winds through the streets. Outside, the lights stretch into ribbons. But neither of us looks away.

She shifts slightly, the fabric of her dress tightening around her thighs.

“So where are you taking me?”

“I’ve rented out Velour for the evening,” I tell her, wanting to gauge her reaction.

“You rented the whole restaurant?” she asks.