Dirty Little Secret (Forbidden Desires #1)

“Miss Bell, we’ve already RSVP’d for your first event. It’s a five-thousand-dollar-per-plate charity dinner benefitting international women’s literary programs.”

“I don’t know why you went and did that. I didn’t agree to this arrangement, precisely. I said I would th—”

“You realize, of course, that your library is running a night class that needs funding, is it not?” I raised my eyebrows.

Slowly, she turned, sweeping the tip of her pretty pink tongue over her bottom lip. “I never mentioned my job.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“But you did sign the waiver for the background check.” I shrugged. “Complete with a record of your employment history. Come now, Emma. You probably do need the money, after all.”

She paused, halting where she stood. “Money isn’t worth sacrificing my dignity for.”

“Maybe not.” Reaching into the desk drawer, I produced the crisp check that I’d already written out that would go to the cause regardless. Then I set it on my desk. “But I’ll provide a ten-thousand-dollar donation to that poor little underfunded library you work at. Is your dignity still worth more than that?”

She wandered a step closer. “All of this just to go to a dinner with you?”

We both knew this was so much more than dinner. Cooper and I were letting her into our world. Not just as a hired escort at Forbidden Desires, but as the personal mistress to us both. I didn’t like showing my hand, didn’t want her knowing just how badly I suddenly needed her to say yes, but desperate times and all that shit.

“Of course, that wouldn’t be all,” I added hastily, then pulled up a form on my computer. “It looks like you filled out the direct-deposit form, so you will be all set up to receive your compensation as well.”

“Which is?” She raised her eyebrows, her tone light but curious all the same.

“Just like all the other girls. A thousand dollars a night.”

“No way. That’s absurd.”

That steely gaze of hers was back, but her mouth was pinched into a little frown, considering. I hadn’t lost her completely, no matter how much she wanted to pretend otherwise.

“We’re paying for your time. Surely your time, and dignity, are worth something, Miss Bell? No money will exchange hands, if that makes you uncomfortable. It’ll be deposited into your account. Non-negotiable.”

“I . . .”

“Isn’t there anything you could use that money for? A new car, maybe? A nicer house?”

Something in her expression told me I’d hit a nerve. In an instant, her chin lifted.

“Fine,” she said, the fire returning to her eyes. “I’ll go.”

“The ten-thousand dollar donation to the library will be anonymous.”

Her mouth knotted into a tiny circle. She crossed her arms over her chest, apparently trying to rally what little spirit she had left. “For the record, I’m not having sex with either one of you.”

“Fine by me,” I said. “For the record? I didn’t ask you to. And further, it’s not my business what you do with Cooper, but no, I don’t plan on taking you to bed.”

Her blue eyes flared on mine, and I couldn’t tell if she was irritated or maybe intrigued by that comment. Didn’t matter. I’d known from her glances at the coffee shop. She wanted me. And she would have me. I’d soak up that sensuality, take what I wanted, and when it was over, I’d be totally fine. Because I was strong enough to resist her. I couldn’t get tangled up with another agency girl again. I knew my limits.

What happened last time had nearly destroyed me, my brothers, and this company. And that searing pain inside my chest whenever I thought of her was another reason not to drag the sweet, innocent librarian through a dark, dangerous adventure.

Not when it could cost us both everything.

But, surely, I was strong enough for a little fun. A flirtation. Something to quench my thirst for this woman.

Besides, there was no question I was a selfish bastard. If I didn’t play along with Coop’s silly little game, he would make a full-court press for this girl, and the thought of her in his arms and not mine? Made me want to put my fist through a wall.

“I suspect you have work to be done. Good-bye, Mr. Kingsley.”

She spun on her heel again, but I caught her just as she was about to sweep through the door.

“Call me Gavin.” My tone was biting, and I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. I’d won today’s argument, so why was I still so worked up? Gazing into her crystal-blue eyes, I worked to soften my tone. “I have a meeting in twenty minutes I need to prepare for, but thank you for coming in. Enjoy your evening with Cooper.”

She nodded, her eyelashes fluttering softly against her cheeks. And then she turned, flashing that curvy ass at me as she strode from my office. Goddamn tease.

My fingers returned to the keyboard and I continued typing out my reply, but my brain? It was still on a certain sassy young librarian who pushed every one of my buttons.

She was all wrong for me. Innocent where I was hardened, and sweet where I was rough. She’d want a tender lover, someone who was gentle and took his time warming her up, not some asshole who’d shove all nine inches in just to watch her gasp and struggle for breath. My cock flexed behind my zipper at the thought.

Cooper was the much better choice for her. So, why had I let him talk me into this arrangement?

It wasn’t because I was a fucking moron who thought with his cock. That was Quinn, not me. I exercised control in all things.

It was because I saw the challenge in Cooper’s eyes. Knew he thought she was too much like Ashley. Maybe she was—Christ, they could have passed for cousins. Maybe even sisters. And the need to prove him wrong, to show him that I could keep my head on straight, was too strong. Almost as strong as the desire to see Emma naked, spread-eagle on my bed.

I don’t plan on taking you to bed.

I could have barked out a laugh if I wasn’t so pissed off. What an utter lie. Of course I’d take her to bed. And as for what she did with Cooper? Why should I care? That was their business.

Punching the intercom button with more force than necessary, I waited until Alyssa’s voice came through the speaker.

“You need something?”

“Bring me some seltzer water,” I growled.

Damn knot in my stomach came out of nowhere.