Below Deck (Anchored 5)

I have to be in control.

My self-control is legendary, and it’s why Anchored has been so successful. I don’t play at the club. I never, ever play at the club. It’s my club and I need to keep a level head when I’m here. This is why working the bar is great for me. I have a front-seat view for everything that’s happening. I can watch the scenes, the parties, and the fun, but I never have to join in.

I never have to play.

I never have to w

orry about giving up a little piece of myself.

And isn’t that kind of sad to think about?

Ryder licks his lips. My eyes are drawn to those lips. Like a moth to a flame, I can’t seem to move away as I watch him.

“Because there’s nothing I’d love more than to hear that word slipping off your tongue while I was buried inside of you, June.”

My mouth goes dry.

Ryder Hawke is looking at me like I’m good enough to eat, and I have nowhere to run. I shouldn’t be staring at his jaw line, wondering what his lips taste like. I shouldn’t. It’s not appropriate for me to be lusting after a patron. After all, this is where I work. If I tried to get into a relationship with Ryder and it failed, I’d have to see him every week.

Not only that, but I’d have to see him with other women.

I don’t know if I’m strong enough for that.

“I…” I open my mouth to speak, but my voice trails off when he smiles at me.

Ryder Hawke smiles, and I realize I’m in deep shit.

Chapter 2

Ryder

June Gables is the hottest girl at Anchored, and she knows it.

She tries to pretend she’s modest and shy, but there’s no way she can miss how fantastic her breasts look pushed up in that corset or how delicate her hair looks when she wears it down. There’s no way she can think she’s anything less than perfect.

June Gables is a fucking goddess, and I’d do anything to get her in my bed.

There’s just one problem: I’m not who I pretend to be.

She looks at me with suspicion and distrust in her eyes, but I’ve given her no reason for that. I’ve been nothing but a gentleman since I joined the club months ago, but she doesn’t know that. No, to her, I’m just another Dom. I’m just another player in this crazy game. I’m just one more guy who likes to tie up women and feel them come, clenching my cock as they spiral out of control.

And oh, I want June to be that woman.

The truth is that I haven’t slept with anyone since I joined Anchored. It’s strange for me to be celibate, but I can’t risk fucking up my mission. I’m in Westbrook for work and only work. I’m town until the mission is complete, and then I’m back to Nellenston.

Then I’m back to my normal life.

Only being around June makes me not want to go back to that world.

She’s smart, and she’s hilarious. She keeps everyone in their place. People think Thorn is the man in charge at Anchored, but I’d bet my life on it being June’s place. She’s always looking around, always watching. She rarely drinks at work. She’s much too focused for that.

I’ve never seen her so much as kiss a man – or a woman – at the club.

June is a mystery, and she’s one I want to solve.

Desperately.

Now I’ve made my move and I have to wait and see what happens next. Will she counter? Will she melt? Will she accept my proposal? I shouldn’t want her as badly as I do, but I can’t seem to help myself.