“Tonight you can. I’m the boss.”
He followed me inside but looked at the room like he was sure it was going to explode at any second. “What do you need help with?”
I scrambled to pull out the blindfold and the straps from the cabinets beneath the table. Julius was so cautious, I knew I couldn’t ask or he’d tell me no. I undid the sash on my robe
and slipped it off, casting it onto the white chair.
“What–?” His eyes went as large as bowling balls. His gaze flitted down over my naked body and settled at my feet.
I moved as quickly as possible, pulling the blindfold on, and tucking the comm pack in one fist so I could push the talk button if needed. My back slammed against the cushion-top. “Strap me down.”
There were no footsteps closer, and I imagined him staring at that same spot on the ground.
“Please. I can’t ask Tara, and I sure as shit won’t ask Marquis.”
Still nothing.
“I’ll give you two hundred dollars, but you gotta do it right now.”
There you go. A smile tweaked on my lips as he moved closer. His hand closed on my wrist, wrapping the Velcro closed.
“Are you looking?” I teased.
“Nah.” He moved and did my other wrist. “But if I was, I’d say, damn, girl. You fucking sexy.”
“Thanks,” I grinned, and then sobered a little. “Send the man in holding room B in here.”
His heavy footfalls got quieter and I heard the door swing shut, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts. Why hadn’t Dominic told me he was in Chicago, and how long had he been here? Deep down, part of me was thrilled he’d come. For me.
My pulse raced when the door creaked open and someone entered. The door slammed shut and I jumped at the boom.
“Fuck,” Dominic said. “Tell me I’m the only man who’s been in this room.”
Technically Julius . . . “You’re the only client who’s been in here. I had them put you in the holding room so I could give you what you wanted.”
“What I wanted?”
The longer he remained motionless, the angrier I got. “Yeah, a whore. You think that’s what I am, right? That I would fuck someone else, like you mean nothing to me. When the hell did you get to Chicago?”
“My flight landed at ten, and I went straight to your place.”
My thoughts scrambled. “Why?”
“For you. You’re here, and I want to be with you.” Finally, it sounded like he took one step forward. Then, another, and the rough voice grew louder. “But I don’t understand why you’re here.”
I gasped. “Because I’m managing the club tonight. Five minutes ago I was upstairs, dressed and sitting behind a computer.” It was then I realized what a stupid plan this had been. I was blindfolded and restrained when I wanted desperately to see him. “Take off my blindfold.”
There was hesitation. “You were managing? Why?”
“Because Joseph asked me to.” I didn’t want to lie. No more unspoken things between us. “Because I wanted enough money to buy a plane ticket to Tokyo.”
It sounded like he stopped breathing. “What?”
“I was under the impression you couldn’t leave, you know. But here you are. Can you undo my straps?”
There was no noise so I didn’t think he was moving. “I told Chase I had an emergency, and they gave me off until Wednesday.” His voice wavered. “The plan is I go back if you want me gone. But if you want me to stay . . . I’ll stay.”
“What about your job?”