Page 41 of Beg for You

Dane looked at me. “And to remind you, you have another client coming in half an hour.” His eyes slid to Cassy’s back. “You best get started.” Then he ducked back out.

I muttered a curse. “Next time, I make the appointment time, yeah?” I pressed my mouth to her ear. “I’m not going to get time to do what I want to you. That doesn’t make me happy, Princess.” I was the worst kind of asshole. I should have been stopping this, but, fuck, I couldn’t do it.

She turned so her face was still in profile, her chin slightly dropped. “Maybe I could come and see you…when I don’t have an appointment?”

I swallowed, trying to get moisture past my dry throat. Say no. “I’m thinking that might be a good idea,” I said ignoring the voice of reason in my head and the pain of my swollen dick against my zipper. “Now sit forward so I can get this done. The sooner you’re out of my chair, the sooner I can get my dick under control.”

“Maybe I could—”

“Don’t even say it,” I said, sounding as frustrated as I felt. “Dane’s right. I need to get to work, and, woman”—I nipped her shoulder—“you’re a goddamn distraction.”

She giggled, a sweet sound that I knew I’d heard before a long time ago. My gut tightened. “You think it’s funny I’m on the verge of blue balls because of you, Princess?”

Her face was still in profile and I watched a smile curve her lips. It was shy, almost self-conscious. “A man like you, I thought you’d have more self-control,” she said, voice breathless.

“What kind of man is that?” I asked and, shit, held my breath, waiting for her answer.

She curled her lips in, biting down on them, then finally said, “A confident, extremely”—she blushed—“um…attractive man, who obviously has no trouble getting women, kind of man.”

“Babe, I’m scarred up and kinda big. Most women are intimidated and run the other way.”

“Gloria likes you,” she said, and I detected a hint of jealousy.

I liked it.

Jesus, I had a fucking problem.

I snorted. “Gloria likes everyone.”

She laughed again, not a giggle but just as pretty. “Your scars don’t make you less attractive. Granted, they make you seem a little more dangerous, but I have to admit, the whole rough-and-ready thing you have going on is working for me.”

“I noticed.”

She blushed darker.

Oh yeah, she was taking a walk on the wild side with me, and even with what I’d had planned at the start of this, I kind of hated having that confirmed. I was good enough to fuck around with, but I’d never be the kind of man she’d get serious with.

I shoved those useless thoughts from my mind and slid my hand down her back, the need to reassure her more important than anything else in that moment. “There’s nothing hotter than watching you come, Cassandra. Nothing. And, baby…these scars”—I leaned in and kissed her scarred shoulder—“don’t change how fucking gorgeous you are. I don’t see them…when I’m with you they sure as fuck don’t stop me…from wanting you. From making me so hard I can’t keep…my hands off you when you’re in the same room. And from stroking my cock…thinking about you when you’re not.”

I couldn’t believe I got through that whole speech without too many stumbles, especially with my emotions all over the place, but I wanted her to know.

We might have only been using each other—at the start, at least. But there was no denying it now. Cassy was not the woman I thought she was when she walked in here that first time. Not at all. I wanted her to know how special she was, and I hoped like hell she remembered it when the truth came out, when she learned who I was. When the heat in her eyes turned to hatred.

Yeah, I should stop this, but it was too late now.

For both of us.

Chapter Eleven

Cassandra

“Earth to Ceecee.”

I turned from my spot at the shop window. “Hmm?”

“You’ve been staring out the window for the last half hour,” Ted said. “Something’s bothering you.”

I forced a smile, but it wasn’t easy. I’d been turned down by a possible investor that morning, bringing it up to three “thank you, but no thank yous” so far. I was waiting to hear back on a few more possibilities, but it wasn’t looking good. “I’m fine. Can’t a girl just look out a window?”