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“The opening is just incredible...to think a girl of your age is so full of talent...it’s exciting for me, Despina.” He looks back at me, his piercing eyes boring into mine. “So what do you think? Would you like to take our offer of a publishing contract? I’ll go over all the small print with you...but if you accept, this could be great for you. I’ll make you my highest priority...we can start work right away. What do you say?”

  How could I possibly say no to him when his husky voice is so inviting? How could I ever turn down the opportunity of more time with him? I’m dizzy with excitement. This feels like some kind of dream...but not this time. For once, I’m getting what I’ve always dreamed of.

  “I want this,” I tell him quietly. I can’t tell if I’m referring to the contract or him...but both apply. He leans in close and puts a hand on my shoulder. I relish the feeling of his hot skin against mine, even in the most innocent of gestures.

  “Let’s have dinner tomorrow,” he growls. “We can get all the technical stuff out of the way today in the office...and then get to know each other a little. What do you think?”

  “What about tonight?” I blurt. I can barely believe I’m so embarrassingly desperate. But now that I’ve met Luke in the flesh, I can’t bear the idea of a whole night away from him. I don’t want to wait. I’ve done my time waiting, and I know now that this is it. What I’ve always wanted.

  Have I messed this up by coming across as desperate? From his smile, I can’t tell. I wish I could read him better...but I guess that’ll come with time.

  Eventually, he leans in closer, his grip on my shoulder getting a little tighter. I can barely breathe, lost in his eyes. They seem to glimmer behind his glasses, so mischievous and exciting to me.

  “Tonight it is,” he growls.

  CHAPTER 2

  Luke

  Tonight is everything. I stand in my penthouse apartment getting ready to take Despina out for the first time. Today, after she signed her publishing contract, she left in a flustered hurry. She seemed almost as shaken up from our meeting as I was, but she’s an open book. She’s shown me all of her cards already. I get the sense that she’s intimidated by the way she feels toward me, but I don’t mind that. As long as she’ll be mine eventually, that’s all I need to know.

  Though thinking of her is hard. Knowing I’ll have to remain professional for a while is killing me. I’ve been hard ever since I saw her for the first time earlier, and it’s getting painful. I could masturbate and make myself feel better for a while, but nothing will ever stop me from needing her. Pleasuring myself will never compare to burying myself deep inside her tight little pussy and making her mine. I want it more than anything in the world, and yet there are so many obstacles to face.

  We’re colleagues now. Since it’s my company, I guess I can do what I want, but I’ve always had a flawless reputation among my employees and colleagues. I don’t want to risk tarnishing the way people see me, but it would be worth it for her. I know it would.

  The bigger issue is her brother. The second I realized who she was, I felt my fists clench and anger course through my body. Liam’s been my friend for a long time, but he’s suddenly become the biggest fucking nuisance possible. If he’s going to be an issue and stand in the way of me and Despina, I know he and I are going to end up fighting. He’s always been protective of his sister, I know that much. Maybe he’ll see me as a threat. Maybe he’ll think I’m way too old for her. But she’s mine. She was mine from the moment I laid eyes on her. I’m not going to let anyone stand in our way, let alone him.

  In any case, I have to get through tonight before anything else. I look at myself in the mirror. I scrub up well in my best suit and a bow tie. I’m going to wine and dine Despina tonight. She’s just turned twenty-one, so it’s about time a real man showed her how she deserves to be treated. I’ll be a real gentleman tonight, though every instinct inside me is telling me to rip off her dress in the restaurant and fuck her like we’re animals. I’m a good man, and I’m about to prove that to her tonight. Then, when the time is right...I’ll take her home with me and make her mine for real.

  I head out to my car and begin the drive to her place. She lives in the rougher area of New York. Parking outside her building, I can gather that money’s an issue for her. The place is practically falling apart. Well, I plan to change her world. I’m going to make sure she’s cared for. I’m going to get her out of here and show her a better way to live. She deserves it, with all her talent. As I ring her apartment, I realize I’ll do anything for this woman I’ve only just met. Now that I’ve decided to make her mine, I’ll never turn my back on her.

  She texts me to let me know she’s coming downstairs and I feel myself amped up with anticipation. It’s only been a few hours since I last saw her, and she’s been on my mind the whole time, but I need to see her in the flesh. I need to remind myself that she’s not just some story I made up in my head. Working at a publishing house can have me losing the real world at times, and she feels out of this world.

  But as the door opens, I know she’s real. My heart stops. My lungs give in. My cock hardens in my pants and I clench my fists.

  She’s stunning tonight in a short black dress and heels. She wears the dress off her shoulders, revealing bare skin and a delicate collarbone. Her auburn hair falls in waves down over her perky breasts and I have to force myself not to stare. She’s a client now, and I have to hold back. But damn...the things I’d do to her right now if I could. I want to rip the dress right off her. She catches me staring and catches my eye, looking nervous.

  “Does this look okay? I wasn’t sure about the dress code...this is all I have,” she says anxiously. Before I can stop myself, I put a hand on her bare shoulder, rubbing it gently. She flinches in shock at first, but then leans into my touch involuntarily.

  “You look incredible,” I growl. “We’re going to have no trouble whatsoever marketing your book, I’m telling you now. Come with me...I’m taking you to celebrate.”

  The way my arm slides around her shoulder feels far too natural. I know I’m treading a thin line as she slots easily into my grasp, but I don’t want to let her go. And she doesn’t seem to want to move away either. What harm can an innocent arm around her shoulder do?

  Plenty. I know that well enough. Our dynamic is fragile. I don’t want her to think I’m taking advantage, or that her contract is some kind of business transaction to get into her pants. I’d decided to sign her way before I met her, but she doesn’t know that. I have to be careful. Every part of me wants to caress her skin, to trace her collarbone as my hand rests lazily around her shoulder, to explore the feelings that has my cock so hard. But I resist. For now.

  I open the door on the passenger side for her to get in and she smiles up at me gratefully. As we drive to the restaurant, I put on a classical radio station and to my surprise, Despina begins to hum along to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. I smile to myself. It was obvious to me right away how perfect she is, but this is another bonus. She’s smart. She’s got a brain behind the beauty, and good taste in music, apparently. It only makes me want her even more. At least with my eyes on the road, I have something to distract myself from my spiraling thoughts of every single way I’d like to fuck her.

  The restaurant I’ve chosen is in the heart of New York, but it’s a hidden treasure. We head inside a high-rise building and take the elevator right up to the top floor. There, we’re greeted by a host, who knows who I am right from the moment we arrive. It seems to impress Despina, but she’s even more impressed as we walk inside and are seated at our table. She stares out of the large glass window in amazement. From here, you can see the entire city. From this high up, we’re above the surrounding buildings, and it makes for a dizzying, but beautiful view.

  “Wow,” she breathes, glancing at me with a shy smile. “Thank you so much for bringing me here, Luke. This is just incredible.”

  “It’s nothing,” I say. “I wanted to bring you to the best place in the city...my best
new client deserves a real celebration.”

  A waiter pours us champagne and I text my chauffeur. I want to have a few drinks tonight and enjoy this without the worry of having to drive back later. I raise my glass to Despina and she clinks hers daintily against mine.

  “Cheers to you,” I say, ignoring the arousal in my pants as I watch her. “You’re finally getting a break and you deserve it. I want you to know that.”

  “You’re too kind,” Despina says as she sips her bubbly. “I’ve always thought I’m kind of average. I’m always prepared to just fade into the background and be forgotten...I could barely believe it when you told me you were interested in my book.”

  I want to reach out and take her hand. I want to look deep into her eyes and tell her what she’s worth. I manage to hold myself back from touching her, but as our eyes lock, I can’t help myself. I have to tell her how incredible she is.

  “You’re like no one else I’ve ever met,” I growl deeply. “You’re special...I need you to know that.”

  Despina

  I’m captivated by his gaze and his words. At this intimate spot by the window, it feels like we’re above the clouds, hidden away from everyone in the world. It’s just me and him. And it’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

  He’s looking at me like I’m the only girl in the world. I can’t believe my luck. Maybe he only sees me for my talent. Maybe he doesn’t feel the way I do toward him. But seeing him watching me so intently, it’s enough to make my heart race. I’ve always managed to blend into the background. I’ve always felt like no one ever sees me. But he’s looking now.

  He sees me.

  “I’m so excited to work with you,” I babble. “I’ve never worked with an editor before...and so many classics have come out of your publishing house...I feel so lucky.”

  Luke shakes his head modestly. He has this easy manner about him, leaning back in his chair casually as he sips his champagne. “An editor only shapes the author, the talent lies in the first draft. If you can’t find raw talent there, it doesn’t exist. I’m very picky about the writers I take on, I only allow the best at Bloomenthal Publishing. You’re where you belong, Despina.”

  I feel my heart fill with warmth. I’ve never been so highly complimented. He seems to know exactly what to say. I wonder if he’s like this with all of his clients. I guess he must be. I twirl my hair around my finger anxiously. Being around him is breathtaking. I don’t want to screw up now. But the way he watches makes me feel as though I could do anything and he’d still look at me like I’m his star. I like this feeling. I want to impress him so badly. I want him to fall for me as easily as I’m falling for him.

  “You’re too kind,” I whisper. “I hope I’ll do you proud.”

  “You’ll do yourself proud,” Luke tells me in his low, gruff tone. “Come publishing day, you’re going to be famous. I’m telling you now, Despina, you’re even going to outshine your brother.”

  I blush. “You don’t mean that…”

  Luke raises an eyebrow. “Oh, I do. I never say things I don’t mean...your brother writes well, but you’ve got something even more than he does...I’m going to shape you into the best of the best.”

  I blush as my mind goes to places it shouldn’t, taking his comment quite literally and imagining his hands on my body molding me like clay. I imagine what it would feel like to be completely at his mercy. He can make me into whatever he wants me to be.

  I’ve never had these sorts of thoughts before. I’m still a virgin and I’ve never really felt the desire to have sex with a man before. And yet when I look at him now, all I can imagine is him taking me into his arms.

  I clear my throat, hoping it’ll clear my thoughts too. “I can’t wait to tell my brother about this. He’s going to be so pleased,” I tell Luke. I was expecting enthusiasm from him, but I watch his fist clench around his delicate champagne glass. I’m worried he might break it with his strong hand, but it manages to hold. It feels like a metaphor to me...of how my frail body might feel in his strong arms...pushing me to the edge, but never breaking or hurting me. I’m delirious with lust.

  “I’m not sure your brother will be as excited as you might expect,” Luke says through clenched teeth. I blink in surprise.

  “He’s always been very supportive of me and my writing...and you guys have been friends for a long time…”

  Luke’s muscles contort and I can physically see the tension in his shoulders. “Things are always more complicated between men when a woman is involved.”

  I don’t know how to respond to that. Liam is my brother...how can that possibly be a complication? Is it possible that Luke is sensing the sexual tension between us and is worried my brother might see it too? The thought gives me a small thrill. The idea that he and I might be compatible from a distance as well as up close is exhilarating. But maybe he’s right. Maybe my brother will complicate things.

  “He might also get jealous,” Luke points out to me as he sips his drink. “After all, this is going to put your career into fast-track mode. You’ll be more successful than he’s ever been. I can guarantee that.”

  I swallow nervously. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. This is what I’ve always wanted, but the idea of fame and fortune is a scary one. Right now I’m living in an apartment dotted with mold and dampness, where the heating barely works in the winter. To go from that to a good life...that seems like a long jump. And the idea that I might upset my brother along the way confuses my feelings even further.

  “Maybe I’ll hold off from telling him for a while.” I say quietly. Luke nods and I see the tension in his shoulders loosen ever so slightly.

  “It might be for the best. But you should be proud of yourself, Despina. I know I am.”

  I blush beet red just as the waiter comes over to take our order. I order in a frenzy, having barely looked at the menu. I’ve been too caught up in Luke. As the waiter leaves, I feel the relief of being alone with him once again. He leans in closer and our knees bumping under the table, send a shockwave of excitement through me.

  “I want you to know that I don’t often take on new authors,” he says. “But you’re really something special. I want to take you all the way.”

  His comment is perfectly innocent, and yet I’m completely enthralled by the thought of sex. Sex with him and him only. I want him to take me all the way in the bedroom. I can feel my cheeks heating up, as though he’s able to read my mind. Maybe he can because he smiles smugly, leaning in even closer. Another few inches and our lips would be touching.

  “I wanted to ask you...would you like to join me for a drink at my apartment after this?” he asks me. “I have a beautiful first edition copy of The Great Gatsby I’d love to show you.”

  “I love that novel,” I breathe.

  “I thought you might. I had a feeling,” he responds in a husky tone. “What do you think, Despina?”

  The way he says my name is almost enough to convince me it’s a good idea. But now that I’m thinking about Liam and what he’d make of all this, I’m scared. I’m worried about what I’ll allow this man to do to me if I go to his home. Because as crazy as it sounds, I belong to him now. I’ve willingly given him my soul. The only thing left to give him is my body.

  It’s too soon. I need to be cautious. I want him so badly...but I need to be sure this is right. I need to ensure he feels the same. And my publishing contract...I can’t put that on the line. I look into Luke’s deep, sexy eyes and know I have to give him the answer I so sorely don’t want to.

  “Maybe another night,” I whisper. “I think tonight I should get home. I’ve got a lot of thinking to do about the contract...I hope you understand.”

  I study Luke’s face carefully. Behind his glasses, his eyes are full of disappointment. He thinks I’m rejecting him. Before I can stop myself, I reach out and touch his wrist. He looks a little surprised as he looks up at me, but he retains his composure.

  “But definitely another night,” I b
reathe, hoping he can hear the sincerity in my voice. A small smile twitches on his lips.

  “Another night,” he says.

  CHAPTER 3

  Luke

  This night has come to an end much earlier than I intended. While I loved every second of my dinner with Despina, watching her head back inside her apartment right now is painful for me. I watch her hips swing hungrily as she walks inside. I could’ve had her tonight. I could’ve had her sprawled out on my four-poster bed, her legs spread wide so I could see her gorgeous, tight pussy. I would have fucked her all night long hearing her cry out my name.

  But she said no. I think she knew exactly what I had in mind when I invited her over. She can feel this thing I’m feeling too. She wants it just as badly. So why did she say no?

  She must be afraid of what it’ll mean for us. She’s willing to be more professional than I am, I guess. Or maybe I scared her off with my talked about her brother. I have to wonder if Despina sees him as a deal breaker. I get the feeling they’re very close, and I know Liam certainly won’t allow me to stand in the way of their relationship.

  But there will be other chances. I have to try and be patient. It seems almost impossible when every possessive bone in my body is desperate to snatch her up and take her as my own. I snarl as I think of Liam - our main obstacle. I wish I’d never met him. Even as one of my best friends, all I want now is for him to disappear and make my life easier. I want her all to myself, and no one will stand in my way.

  We arrive at my building and my driver lets me off, and I head inside alone. I was certain Despina would come, I feel foolish that I’m alone now. Except I’m not. There’s someone waiting for me by the elevator.

  Liam.

  For fuck’s sake. There’s only one reason he could possibly be here. He’s found out somehow that Despina and I had dinner tonight. I clench my fists as I walk toward him.