Illicit

Was he kidding?

“Marry me.”

“Cabot…”

He shook his head. “Yeah, you're right. That would be crazy.”

“Totally.”

“Absurd.”

“Very.”

“Like being in love after three weeks.”

I pressed my lips together and nodded.

“You couldn’t possibly love someone after three weeks.”

“No. Definitely not.”

His sexy smirk returned. “So it’s settled then.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“We’re definitely not in love.” He paused. “And definitely not getting married.”

“Out of the question.”

He nodded, then pulled me toward him, crushing his lips against mine in another hungry kiss where he took what he wanted from me until I was weak in the knees.

Then he released my neck, dragged his hand down my back to my butt, and smacked my ass. Hard.

I yelped, but the pain was short lived as my brain registered the hardness between us.

I moved against his cock and he smacked me again, the force slamming me harder against him in the process.

I moaned and gripped his shoulders, waiting for another smack.

“She likes that. Noted.” He reached down and scooped me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, looking down into his eyes as he carried me through the hallway.

We entered a room and he flicked on the lights.

And I grinned.

Mirrors on every wall.

A black leather spanking horse in the middle of the room–just like the one I loved at the Rabbit Hole– topped with one of those giant red bows.

“Is that for me?” I whispered.

“It’s all for you. Has been since the day you walked into Reed Tower.”

Monday morning came faster than usual.

I forced myself to get out of bed.

I forced myself to shower and dress for the day.

I forced myself to get on the tube and ride into Manhattan.

And then I forced myself to walk three blocks toward Reed Tower.

But it was that fourth block where I lost my nerve.

Tucked inside a small alcove that smelled of urine and God only knew what else, I pulled out my phone and dialed Reed’s number.

It barely even rang before he said,“Where are you?”

“Hello, to you, too.”

“Rylan.”

That tone sent the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

“I can’t do it.”

“You can.”

“I can’t.”

“Where are you?”

I breathed deeply–

Ugh. Big mistake.

Stepping out of the alcove, I looked up the sidewalk toward Reed Tower. A tall, dark, and dangerously gorgeous man stood on the sidewalk out front, scanning the area with his phone to his ear.

“To your left.”

He whipped his head toward me, locating me almost instantly, then slipped his phone into his pocket and strode toward me. I licked my lips as he walked straight through the crowd, his shoulders back and that arrogant tilt of his chin that gave him a look of superiority. I watched in awe as people moved out of his way.

When he reached me, I smiled up at him, and he looked down at me with power and passion in his dark gaze.

And, because I knew all too well how to push his buttons, a little irritation.

He sniffed the air, then screwed up his face as he looked at the ground of the alcove I’d been hiding in. “Was this necessary?”

I snorted.

“You’re late, Ms. Blake.” He lifted one eyebrow. “Can you tell time?”

I cringed. “Not very well, I’m afraid.”

His lips twitched. “Come along then.”

When we reached Reed Tower, he stopped just shy of the entrance, then slipped his hand into mine and wove our fingers together. He looked down into my eyes, and I nodded.

“Verbal confirmation, Ms. Blake.”

I leaned forward and pressed my nose against his suit jacket, took a deep breath, then leaned back and said, “I’m ready now.”

He shook his head. “You’re so weird.”