“Yes, of course.” Even as I respond, I can taste her on my tongue. And I know I’ll go home tonight, reliving this encounter over and over again. “My name is Gideon. I thought you should know since we will be seeing each other again.”
She smiles but doesn’t offer me her name. Instead, she opens the door and the noise from the club resonates through the room. With a quick backward glance, she waves at me before disappearing. I want to run after her, but I don’t. Instead, I breathe through my nostrils, inhaling her essence, recalling her face when I brought her to orgasm.
Chapter 4
Clover
“Holy shit.” My best friend laughs when I tell her about last night. We’re in the car on the way to the meeting and I’m still blushing from last night’s activities. When I got home, I found myself in the shower, my hand between my legs once more as I thought about Gideon and his friend.
“I don’t know if this is even a good idea. I mean, my life is about to explode, and I need to focus.” The worry has been circling my mind all morning. My debut album is about to hit the shelves in a few months, and there’s no way I can hide my face from him. I’ll be blasted on every magazine and newspaper across the country. He will know who I am before this week is out.
“I’m sure he’ll be able to help you focus,” she cocks a perfectly manicured brow at me. “Tell me what he looked like again?”
“Well, he was tall, with brown hair that reminded me of warm chocolate. His eyes”—I swoon like a teenager with a crush at the memory of his gaze on me—“they made me weak. It was just how he looked at me.”
“It’s the Dominant effect.” Chelsea giggles.
It’s my turn to arch a brow at her. “The Dominant effect? Seriously?”
She nods seriously as if I should know this. We both got into the lifestyle at the same time. Finding out we’re submissive in the bedroom, we found ourselves in a club back home, in New York. We ventured out into the world and enjoyed the exclusivity and privacy it offered.
“I just don’t know how I’m meant to handle this… whatever it is… if he knows who I really am…” The hope I had last night has been squashed at the thought of Gideon learning who I am and not wanting me.
“If he’s older, more mature, he’ll understand. Perhaps he’ll even want to keep you safe from the bullshit that’s about to hit your life,” Chelsea says, giving me advice like she’s always done.
I lost my mother when I was twelve, and my father was more interested in the money my career would bring him, rather than wanting to raise a daughter with paternal affection.
The car pulls up to the enormous skyscraper, which makes me nervous. Glancing out of the window, I take in the windows of the building, wondering how it’s going to feel walking in there, being the star of the show.
“Let’s go, superstar.” Chelsea smiles and I’m thankful my best friend is here with me. I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s given me the friendship I’ve always longed for, even as an agent. Chelsea knows me better than anyone else, even better than I know myself.
We head into the building with smiles as the reception desk comes into view. A large Hale and Associates sign behind the stunning brunette who’s dressed in a bright red blouse, with her hair pinned into a tight chignon. Her lips match her top, and her eyes are done in a smoky eye which makes the blue irises pop. She’s on a call when I walk up, and I have to pinch myself to make sure this is real, and I’m not dreaming. But I’m certain it’s real when she looks up and offers me a large smile.
“You’re Clover,” she says, setting the device down. It’s not a question, she’s making a statement, which is evident to me that she already recognizes me.
“I am.”
“I’m so happy to meet you.” The beautiful woman rises, coming around the desk to shake my hand. “Hi.” She grins, taking Chelsea’s hand and shaking it. “It’s wonderful to have you both here. I’ll call up to the studio and make sure they’re ready for you.”
“That’s fine, thank you.” She ushers us into the seats, which are smooth, soft leather, and I run my fingers along the material in hopes of calming myself. I want nothing more than to be professional, mature, but I feel like a little girl, out of my depth.
It’s only moments later that the elevator dings, and the metal doors slide open. My breath is stolen when a man saunters out into the reception area.