Chapter 9 #3
Definitely too personal…
Something about the way he said it made me cringe. He didn't want kids.
"The layout worked when my sisters were here. And now that Cress has a family, the space is an added bonus for when they come."
I nodded even though his back was to me.
"So…" I took another sip of wine. "What's this dinner really about, Christian?"
"Straight to business?"
"Isn't that why I'm here?"
He placed the steaks on a cutting board but kept talking. "You're here because I want you here."
When he turned to face me, I narrowed my eyes and he smiled cockily.
"I have a proposition for you."
"I'm listening."
Christian leaned against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll help you with the waterfront project without requesting any ownership.
Just my connections and influence in the city.
You'll have complete access to all my resources.
A lot of people in town owe me favors that will be useful to you. "
I arched my brow and he continued.
"I'm prepared to get out of your way and fully accept your terms."
"What? Just like that?"
"Just like that. Your proposal is solid. The community benefits and I'm impressed with your vision."
He was too calm and composed… and too giving.
"There has to be a catch."
"Smart woman. There is one condition." He smiled smugly.
"Okay, what are your terms?"
"Honor the contract."
I nearly choked on my wine. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." The way his eyes burned into mine had my pussy contracting with need with the memories from last night.
"The contract at Erogenous?"
He nodded.
"You want me to accept a business partnership in exchange for sex?"
"Not just sex. The contract you agreed to."
"Hell no. That's inappropriate."
"Is it? You want the waterfront project to succeed. I want to continue what we started last night. We are both two consenting adults getting what we want."
I set my glass down. "You can't be serious."
"Very fucking serious. Business during business hours and after hours you already know what I expect."
"That's completely inappropriate. It would be a conflict of interest."
"Or would it be the most beneficial negotiation you've ever handled? No games, no hidden agendas. Just complete transparency and complete surrender. To me."
I snatched up the bottle of wine sitting on the island and filled my glass which I turned up immediately. "I can't believe we're even having this conversation."
"And I can't believe how beautiful your body was spread open for me last night. Been on my mind all day and I can't wait to see it again."
My body tensed and my lids fluttered, and of course he noticed.
"That same look you have right now is the exact one you had on the bench while I played in your pussy last night. How can you expect me not to want that again?"
"Stop."
"Is that your safe word? You elected not to have one last night."
"Christian…" My voice spiked but I pressed my thighs together because I was incredibly turned on.
He only chuckled.
"This is crazy."
"No, it's an offer. Your development gets my full support. The community gets the growth you outlined and you get to continue exploring aspects of yourself you clearly are just now discovering."
"And if I refuse?"
"You'll regret missing out on the best sex of your life."
The smile he flashed was so damn cocky. "Tell me you haven't thought about it."
I couldn't lie and be convincing because my body would drive the reaction. My body that was currently remembering the way Christian had handled it last night.
"Thinking and doing are two very different things."
"They are but you want both." He turned and lifted the steaks, placing them on our plates, and I took several massive gulps of my wine.
My face blazed with the reality he presented. I did want both but…
"That's blackmail."
"I'm not withholding anything. I'm presenting you with an option; that's negotiation. You're damn sure free to say no."
But he knows I won't…
"And lose your help with the project."
"You don't need my help which you clearly stated. Having me on your side would just make it easier to get what you want."
"What if people found out?"
"About which part?"
"Either. Both."
They won't respect that I did this if Christian's name is attached nor would they respect me as a businesswoman if they knew I was in a submissive contract with him.
"They won't. What happens at Erogenous stays there unless you plan on sharing what we do and I damn sure hope you won't. I prefer to keep my time there private."
"And the business arrangement?"
"A consultant agreement. There's nothing unusual about that."
"Why are you really doing this?"
"Because I want you, and even if you're not openly willing to admit it, you want me too."
Shit. Am I that transparent?
"Are you worried about mixing business with pleasure?" he asked.
"Aren't you?"
"No. I'm good at compartmentalizing and the boundaries outlined in the contract protect us both."
"And what if this goes wrong?"
"It won't."
"You can't really say that."
"I can. It's all business, Scotlyn. Whether it's working this deal or working you, there are specifics involved that keep things clearly defined on how we navigate."
He carried our plates to an adjoining dining room and I followed. He set them both down and pulled out my chair.
"What other concerns do you have?"
I sighed. "Like being tied to a man whose sole purpose is to make me cum isn't enough of a concern."
Christian chucked and filled the seat next to me. "Can I think about it?"
"While we eat, yes. You need to decide before dinner's over."
"That's not enough time."
"It's enough." He paused and dropped his head to bless his food. I quietly did the same before cutting into my steak which was perfectly cooked. The vegetables were seasoned just right and I was annoyed that this man was not only sexy but could also cook.
"Why are you so pressed to get my answer tonight?" I asked after downing some wine. The rich blend and spices from my food had my mouth and stomach very happy.
"Because you'll overthink it if I give you time."
He wasn't wrong. I had already spent hours analyzing last night, but instead of admitting he was right, I switched gears.
"The food is perfect."
"Thank you." Christian cut into his steak and lifted the fork to his lips. I watched and shit…
Bad idea because it reminded me of his mouth on me last night.
"This is so damn good but I'm sure you already know that."
"Just because I enjoy it doesn't mean it's good."
I used my knife to slice through the asparagus before stabbing the tip to lift it onto the fork. "What does everyone else think?"
"I live alone, Scot. No one else is here to weigh in."
I paused my fork just before the asparagus reached my lips and my eyes darted to his. He chuckled as if reading my mind but then confirmed seconds after.
"I didn't cook for my wife. She wouldn't have appreciated it and no other women have been to my home since the divorce. This is not a regular thing so the only opinion I have about my culinary skills is my own."
"Your personal business isn't my concern."
"Yet you're relieved."
"Relieved?" I frowned.
"Relieved I don't have a list of women who could weigh in on how good my cooking is."
"Why would I care?"
"Because you don't like the idea of another woman being where you are right now. In my home, at my table, being catered to."
"Your ego is just as impressive as this food."
"And regardless of how perceptive I am of you now that I've had my mouth on your pussy, you're incredibly easy to read."
I almost choked on the wine I drank and Christian chuckled.
"I'm not the only one. Just because they haven't been here doesn't mean there aren't any other women."
Why was I fishing…
"There have been, at Erogenous, and as much as I enjoy my time with them there, it's transactional. There's no connection."
"Why not?"
"I didn't want one." The intense look he delivered was enough for me to shut down any other questions about that. Touchy subject, which I understood because I damn sure didn't want to share the details of my fucked up marriage with him.
The next hour we enjoyed our food and talked like sharing a meal was something we had done a million times before.
Christian was naturally charming, attentive, funny, and damn sure nice to look at.
He was everything I could see myself wanting in a partner which created a huge issue.
By the time we finished eating, I knew I was in trouble.
I liked him. Not just his body or what he could do with it, but him.
When Christian pushed his empty plate away and those demanding eyes locked on mine, I should have jumped up and ran straight to the door.
"What's your decision?"
"If I agree, what are the terms?"
"I help you navigate the local politics, introduce you to the right people, make sure your permits go through without delays, and I won't challenge this deal you've brokered with the McKenzies. All I ask is that you honor the thirty-day contract at Erogenous."
"And at the end of thirty days?"
"We both get what we want and go our separate ways."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that. Unless you want something more."
I would definitely want more, which was the problem…
Instead of openly admitting my fear, I shifted into business mode. "I need something in writing about the business arrangement."
"Whatever you need."
"And no one can know about the other part."
He smiled sexily. "Agreed, I don't kiss and tell."
"I want separate spaces for each. When we're working on business, that's all we discuss. When we're at Erogenous, business doesn't exist."
"I can work with that."
I studied his face, looking for any signs that he wouldn't adhere to my terms. There weren't any.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"I'll do it. Both parts."
Christian's smile sent heat through my body. "Good choice. There's one more condition."
"What condition?"
"You stay here for the duration of the contract."
"Here? At your house?"
"Yes."
I stood up, shaking my head. "That's not a good look, Christian. People will talk."
"No one will know you're here. This estate is private and my staff is discreet. I pay them well and they won't fuck that up."
"Me living here crosses lines."
"The line's already crossed, Scotlyn. Think about it. You being here makes it much easier while we're working together, and for the other part..."
"I can't just move in with you. James is here."
"Do you trust him?"
I did. He had been with me for years and kept some of my most intimate secrets. Having an assistant shadowing me twenty-four-seven meant James being exposed to the best and worst parts of me. My life wasn't always pretty, mostly because of my family, but James had proven he understood discretion.
"Yes."
"Then I pay for wherever he stays as long as it isn't here."
I frowned and he grinned. "I'm not sharing you with anyone while we're in this. Not even your assistant."
"He's my right hand."
"He can work for you remotely."
"You have enough space and you're forcing me to move in…"
He shook his head. "Not happening and you're not moving in. This is a temporary arrangement."
I sighed, accepting that I wouldn't win that argument, so I moved on. "What will I tell people, specifically James and my family?"
"That you found more suitable long-term accommodations. Which is true."
"Why is this so important to you? Can't we meet somewhere in the middle on this?"
"It's the only term I won't bend on."
"That doesn't answer my question."
Christian lifted from his seat and rounded the table, standing close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body. "I want you here because thirty days isn't a long time. I want every second you're promising me."
There was damn sure logic to his argument but the thought of being here, with him, for thirty days...
"This is insane," I said.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes but I also have conditions."
He grinned and took a step back, giving me space. "Name them."
"I need my own car. I come and go as I please. No questions about where I spend my time."
"Done."
"This arrangement stays between us. No one, not even your staff, knows the full details."
"Agreed."
"One last thing. If at any point I want out, I leave. No arguments."
Christian studied my face. "Agreed, as long as you actually try."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning you don't run at the first sign of discomfort. You talk to me first and no fake ass effort. You have to be all in."
"Fine."
"We have a deal?" Christian extended his hand.
I took it. "We have a deal."
"I'll have Miles get your things tonight."
"Tonight?"
"Yes, tonight. Our deal begins right now."
"One night won't make a difference and I can pack my own damn things, Christian."
"I agree, you can, but it's not necessary and Miles won't be touching your shit. I'll have a member of my staff take care of packing for you."
"Are you serious?"
He smiled arrogantly. "Very."
I glared at him and he removed a phone from his pocket, not looking at me while he swiped the screen. "You can always change your mind."
That was the problem. I didn't want to change my mind nor did I want him to know I wanted this contract just as much as I wanted him…
When I didn't respond, he arched his brow. "Make a decision, Scotlyn."
"I get my own room."
He grinned and swiped his phone again. "Agreed."
Seconds later he was barking out demands to who I assumed was a member of his staff, threatening their employment if my things weren't handled properly. I almost felt bad for whoever he was talking to. Then he was on the phone with Miles giving him instructions as well.
After he was done, he motioned to the half-empty bottle of wine. "I have dessert. Would you like another bottle?"
I glared at him and he chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."
I watched him leave the dining room, hating how much I wanted this and how much I hated myself for wanting him .