“Have you read every single one of these titles?” she asked.
“No. It has been Paul’s mission to fill all the shelves.” She watched as he pointed toward his desk and moved to three shelves. “I’ve read those. Everything else I don’t have a clue what it is.”
She chuckled.
“You don’t read a whole lot?” he asked.
“Not since high school. I was a bit of a bookworm. My mom loved books, but because Dad had a bad reputation she never joined a local book club. They always turned her down.” Lori shrugged. “I’d read the books, and every Friday night we’d sit and have a couple of hours of talking about the book.”
“It sounds like a lot of fun.”
“It was. Dad was always out most of the time. I know it upset her a lot.” Lori didn’t know why she was talking about her past with him. She bit her lip, trying to gain control of her emotions. The last thing she wanted to do was cry. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Your mom sounds like one hell of a woman.”
“She was. She deserved a lot better.”
“You’re angry?”
“Yes. Dad never loved her. Not really. He … cheated, and gambled, and cost her so much, and still, she stayed with him. The few times he stayed home, she was happy. I know she was.” She took a deep breath, cleared her throat, and shook her head. “Let’s not talk about that. I don’t want to cry all over you, and thinking about my mom makes me cry.”
Dawg took a seat next to her. “You can cry on my shoulder anytime you want. There’s no shame in it.”
“I thought men like you didn’t appreciate women crying or getting highly emotional.”
“Did you ever allow yourself to cry after she died? Have you ever taken the time to actually think about everything? Or do you just keep going? Moving from one thing to the next?”
She stared at him, and she didn’t like how close he was to understanding her. Dawg placed his arm across her shoulder, and she rested her head against him, feeling his warmth. She didn’t want to lose this feeling of safety that he inspired.
Chapter Five
Night after night Dawg fell asleep with Lori in his arms, and even though he loved every second of it, the torture was starting to get to him. This wasn’t supposed to be about him waiting, and he was growing fucking bored with waiting. Still, each night, he’d watch her comb her hair, or change, or do something else, and he felt a kind of peace settle over him.
Even as his dick was aching, he knew he wouldn’t force her. He didn’t believe in rape.
Finally, one Friday night, two months after the contract was signed, he decided to take her out dancing. He didn’t want to be alone in his home especially as she offered up way too much temptation for him.
“You want me to wear this?” she asked.
“Yes. Don’t you like it?” He’d passed a shop window that afternoon, and the moment he saw the red number, he knew he wanted to see her in it.
“It’s beautiful.”
She spun on her heel, leaving him to watch her ass sway. Once she was alone, he sat down on the bed and moved his rock-hard dick to a more comfortable position. He ached all over, and there would be no reprieve anytime soon.
He’d vowed to wait, to make her come to him.
If he started begging her, that wasn’t going to happen.
Seconds passed, and she finally appeared in the room. The dress fit her curves perfectly, and even though it would be torture, he’d have to handle it.
Her hands ran down the sides of her dress. “It’s amazing, Dawg, thank you.” She moved toward him, placing her hands on his chest and kissing his cheek. The action was a simple and sweet one, and yet, he wanted her.
When she pulled back, he caught the look in her eye. Her nipples were rock-hard, pressing against the front of her shirt. She wanted him, and yet, she was still denying them both.
“We’re going out dancing tonight.”
“Back to your club?” she asked.
“No. To a different one.”
It was a risk he was taking, but he hoped it would be a risk she was willing to take, too.
Grabbing his keys, he took her hand and led her down to the car. This time, his guards would be following him there in a different car. Helping her inside, he buckled her in before climbing in the driver’s seat.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll soon see.”
“It’s a surprise?” she asked.
“Yes.”
He drove the short distance to a secluded location. Only a few people knew of it, and he’d frequented the club many times.
Parking his car, he nodded at his guards to keep an eye out. He didn’t imagine he’d be leaving anytime soon, but his guards were paid handsomely to watch everything and keep him and Lori protected.