Three Dirty Secrets (Blindfold Club 4)

My mouth opened, but his hand slapped over it, silencing me. His expression was wild, like a man pushed to the brink. He looked dangerous, and fucking gorgeous.

“I couldn’t wait any longer,” he muttered. “Deal with it.”

Beneath his palm, I smiled. I’d met my match in Silas, hadn’t I?

Julius and I had been watching Taylor and her client on the monitor for more than two hours. This guy had serious stamina.

I turned in my chair to glance at my boss. “At this point, is she even enjoying it anymore?”

“Guy’s getting his money’s worth.”

And I’d gotten the client to agree to eight. On screen, the guy’s posture went stiff and he jerked, coming violently. I watched relief shimmer through Julius.

“About fucking time,” he muttered under his breath and pressed the button for his comm. “Marquis, you’re up.” When I went to stand, Julius put a hand out and stopped me. “I gotta talk to you about something. Come see me when you’re done.”

For one tiny moment, I panicked and worried I’d been made, but it faded instantly. There’s no way I would have sat beside him for two hours if he knew who I was. Honestly, I had no idea how Julius would react if he found out. He was a sweetheart underneath that impressive, intimidating package. I should be worried about him breaking my face, but I worried more about my lie breaking his heart.

But whatever it was, it had to be important. Julius had decided to wait until the client wouldn’t be a distraction for either one of us. We watched the man dress and leave, and as Marquis escorted him to the payment room, I made my way down to help Taylor. She sighed as I undid her straps and then began to rub her shoulders.

“Oh my God, Regan, that feels like heaven.”

“If I see him again, I’ll tell him there needs to be a halftime break.”

She let me rub her shoulders and arms for another minute, and I used the time to wonder what Julius was going to say. Was this the conversation where he asked me to get on the table if I wanted to keep working here? If so, this would be my last night at the club.

When we were done and I was once again seated in Julius’s office, he set his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers together.

“I got a call yesterday. A guy said you gave him your card at some art show.”

Holy shit, yes. “Yeah, I did. Is he interested in coming by?”

Julius’s expression was . . . weird. It was dimly lit in the office and with the flickering screens, it cast an eerie glow in the room. “Guess it depends on you, girl.”

It set me on edge. “How’s that?”

“I told him what we do here and he was all about it, till he found out you’re not one of the girls he can buy.”

Shit. My hands instinctively clenched into fists. “Are you saying he won’t come in if I’m not on the table?”

“He’s got a real hard-on for you. Only you.”

My mouth went dry and I shook my head. “No. No way.”

“You sure, girl? Guy who wants it that bad is gonna pay big money. Since it’d be your first, I’d only take ten percent.”

My gaze dropped to my knees as I processed what I’d just been told.

Fucking Roland. I’d come so close to what I wanted, and now it was unreachable. I was angry at the situation, and spat it out like fire. “I have a boyfriend.”

Julius put his hands up in surrender and flashed a pleasant smile. “Just giving you options. Lemme know if you reconsider. You don’t need to audition,” he added, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “You’re like family. You didn’t get stage fright with Tara and the client last month.”

No, I hadn’t. I also didn’t mention the client was now my current boyfriend, the one who I had powerfully strong feelings about.

You’re like family, Julius had said. The guilt crashed into me and I was sick to my stomach. Walking away from this assignment wasn’t really an option anymore. The other major sting my office had been running just ended in a catastrophe of epic proportions, and sent people scrambling to defend this op. It was unspoken, but if I walked, I’d be letting down a number of my fellow agents. Jobs could be in jeopardy, not just Shane’s and mine.

“I doubt I’ll reconsider, but thanks for letting me know.”

He nodded, resigned. “Okay, see you tomorrow.” His expression brightened. “It’s gonna be a helluva party.”