Flawless Desire

But that was only a taste of pleasure. I guarantee, we have far more still to explore.

When she’s ready.

I was telling her the truth: I like my women willing. But more than that, I love a challenge. And Ms. Nichols? She’s a particularly tempting one.

So, while she may think it’s over, and we’ll be nothing but professional from here on out… She’s sorely mistaken.

And I’m more than happy to show her the error of her ways.

Slowly. Carefully. Punishingly hard.

I’m in no rush. I’m going to do this right. Because in the end, she’ll be the one begging me to take her.

And there’s nothing as sweet as a woman’s surrender.

We finishup in the ring, and pause to gulp down some water. “Good workout,” Logan grudgingly admits. “I thought I had you on the ropes, but you managed to get back in the game.”

“I always do,” I reply, then I hear a snort of laughter behind us.

“Is that so, Sterling?”

The familiar English accent sets my nerves on a knife-edge again. I turn, careful to smooth my expression so I don’t show a hint of emotion. “Sebastian Wolfe.” I greet him, faux-polite. “What a surprise. I wouldn’t have thought an aristocrat like yourself would be seen mixing with us commoners.”

Sebastian smirks, dressed in spotless workout gear. Standing six-foot three, with a rower’s body, he’s used to looking down his nose at everyone he meets. “I like getting my hands dirty from time to time.”

“Funny,” I remark coolly. “They look pretty soft to me.”

Sebastian narrows his eyes. We’ve been rivals for years, ever since he made his first takeover offer to try and buy out Sterling Cross. His hedge fund is one of the biggest around; a multi-billion-dollar behemoth famous for cutting and burning every company they acquire. There’s no way I’d ever let him take my family’s company.

Not for any price.

“How are things at the company?” Sebastian asks, but his casual tone makes me tense.

What does he know?

“Fine. Great,” I reply, hiding my unease. “Why? Do you need a new bauble for your latest girlfriend? I’d be happy to give you a discount. Friends and family.”

Sebastian chuckles. “I can afford full freight. In fact, I can afford a whole lot more than that… But you’ll find that out, soon enough.”

He strolls away, leaving me with an uneasy feeling.

Logan comes to stand beside me. “What an asshole.”

I slowly nod. “Unfortunately, he’s a strategic, clever asshole. He’s up to something.”

“You think he’ll try another takeover bid?”

I frown. “I don’t know why he would try it. Nothing’s changed since the last time I laughed in his face.”

Logan shrugs. “I guess some people never learn.”

I ponder Sebastian’spossible threat on the way into the office, but the moment I step off the elevator and see Juliet bent over her desk, corporate rivalry is the last thing on my mind.

Fuck me.

She’s leaning over, checking some documents, and even though she’s dressed in a loose blazer and pants, the costume does nothing to hide her natural sensuality.

Every inch of me wants to own this woman.