Mine (A Real Man, 13) ( A Real Man) Read online

  I started moving then, pressing my body against the pole, swaying my hips, and making anyone who watched desire me. That was the goal, to make them want me even though they knew they couldn't have me. The more I got into it, the hotter the room became.

  My eyes were still closed, my focus still on the dancing. The moves were sensual, seductive. They were a mix of my ballet and the eroticism I felt knowing I was being watched … that I held the power.

  And then I moved away from the pole and started undoing my top, still swaying my hips, still being sexual. I let the material slide down my body until it fell to the floor. My breasts were freed, bared. Even though I felt hot, the air touching my nipples seemed chilled, making the tips pucker, elongate. I kept my bottoms on, though, because a little mystery always turned them on more.

  The music turned off suddenly, and I was pulled out of my haze, my trance. I faced Cole, staring directly into his eyes. He hadn't moved and seemed unaffected by my dance.

  He sat there with arrogance, this air about him that made me feel like I was naked for him, and not just in the obvious sense.

  Had I not enticed him, teased him? His unreadable expression made me even more nervous. But I wouldn't let that show, wouldn't let him know that I was on edge, wondering what he thought.

  Cole stood up then and walked toward me. He was only a foot from the stage now, his head slightly tipped back so he could look me in the face.

  “You're hired, but I have stipulations.”

  Stipulations?

  “Come back to the club tomorrow night to sign paperwork and discuss the legalities of it all.”

  The way he spoke was so formal, but I reminded myself this was a business transaction. Stripper or not, this was a way for me to make money, and him as well. The way I felt, the way he made me feel, was not relevant in this situation. For all I knew, I was just another girl that he’d hired.

  And damn it, I didn’t like how that realization made me feel.

  4

  Cole

  The next day

  If I could've closed the club down a second time, I would have. But it was Friday night, and the weekend brought in a lot of high-rolling clientele.

  I sat behind my desk, my focus on the stainless steel in front of me. Jana was due to be here any minute, and good as I was at hiding my emotions and keeping myself in check, I anticipated this like a motherfucker.

  I anticipated seeing her.

  There was a light knock on my door, and I sat up straighter. “Come in,” I called out. When the door was opened, disappointment slammed into me when I saw it was just Ruby, one of the dancers.

  She came in, closed the door behind her, and instantly got this seductive smile on her face. Ruby had been hinting pretty strongly that she wanted more from me than just the employee/employer relationship.

  She wanted to ride my cock, to get really fucking skanky with me, despite the fact I showed no interest and had told her plenty of fucking times nothing would ever happen between us.

  I wasn't down for that.

  If I needed release, I jerked off.

  I focused on the task at hand, on my business. But with Jana … that was something totally different.

  She was different and I craved that. I needed that.

  I didn't need to spend an extended period of time with her to know that she was mine, that she'd only be mine.

  I wanted her and I'd have her. And soon she’d realize that.

  “Your appointment is here, sir.”

  “See her in.” I didn't bother making eye contact with Ruby. Because Poppy was off for the day, Ruby handled the employee relations side of the business.

  As the seconds moved by, she refused to leave my office.

  “Ruby, send her in now, please.”

  She continued to stare at me, this smirk on her face. She walked over to my desk, ran her fingers along the top, and batted her lashes at me.

  “I was wondering if I could speak with you later tonight about picking up more shifts?” She walked around my desk, closer to me.

  “You know you have to speak with Hillary about any schedule changes.” I looked her right in the eye, my irritation that she was still here growing.

  “I know, but I thought if I spoke with you directly, maybe you'd be more inclined to help me out.”

  She didn't need to elaborate for me to understand what she was saying. Her wanting to speak to me about the schedule had nothing to do with her picking up more shifts and everything to do with fucking me.

  I’d give Ruby the cold, hard truth if that’s what she wanted.

  After standing and moving around the desk, I stopped a few inches from her. She craned her neck back to look into my face. I could see by her expression she thought there was something more about to happen.

  “Ruby, you're a sweet girl, but there will never be anything between us.” I looked her directly in the eyes, hoping she was smart enough to just walk away.

  Her continuing to try and make something work with me was starting to reach a level of desperation. My mind was already consumed with Jana, and nothing and no one would make me deviate from getting what I wanted.

  She continued to give me that “fuck me” smile. I had all thoughts on Jana. I sure as fuck didn’t want the object of my desire to walk in on Ruby attempting to touch me. I sure as fuck didn’t want Jana thinking there was something between us. I’d already made my mind up that Jana was all I wanted.

  “Ruby, send Jana in or you’ll find yourself without a job.”

  Her smile faded, her eyes widening after I spoke.

  “What?” She said the word softly.

  “I’ve told you plenty of times there will never be anything between us, but fuck if you seem to get that through your head.” She looked nervous as hell. Good. “Now, bring Jana in or you can get the fuck out and collect your last paycheck at the end of the week.”

  I watched as she swallowed, then pursed her lips, maybe annoyance or embarrassment filling her, making her want to lash out.

  “Yes, sir.” After a second she turned and left, and I leaned against my desk staring at the partially opened door, waiting for the woman of my obsession to walk through.

  My dick was hard, pressing against the fly of my slacks. The bastard wanted out, wanted to see how warm and wet Jana really was.

  The door to my office finally opened fully, and she walked inside. My cock jerked in response, and I knew if I didn't control myself, the front of my pants would have a wet spot from my need.

  “Please shut the door.” I liked how she did what I said instantly, that obedience having my arousal climbing higher.

  She was wearing these black leggings and this nearly sheer top. The shirt underneath was cut low, letting me see her cleavage. She was small, tiny. Her breasts were probably just a handful, not like the girls who worked at the club with their silicone-filled chests.

  But in all honesty I preferred the way Jana looked to the way the others did. Jana was all natural, her curves subtle, feminine. She was a ballerina down to her marrow.

  I stood, my frame towering over hers, and gestured for her to take a seat. I moved around my desk and sat, watching as she came forward and finally did the same.

  For a long moment all I did was watch her, taking in her reaction to me, how she reacted to the way the silence stretched between us. She was nervous, and I had a feeling it had nothing to do with the job we would be discussing, but more that she was in my presence. I also couldn't lie and say that knowledge didn't turn me on more. It made me a fiend for her, like she was my drug of choice.

  She is.

  “I'll get right to the point, Jana.”

  She licked her lips, her little pink tongue sliding along the bottom before moving to the top. I tried to discreetly reach down to adjust my dick, the fucker huge and jerking from my arousal.

  “Okay,” she said softly.

  “I want to hire you, but not to be a dancer in the club.”

  Her delicately shape
d brows dipped low, her confusion clear on her face. “I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Savage.”

  Even though I loved hearing her be formal with me, I wanted her to say my given name.

  “It's Cole. Call me Cole from now on.” I might have said that a little harder than I needed to, but right now I felt more primal, more demanding than normal. Hell, if I could just go all caveman on her, and throw her over my shoulder and take her back to my place to show her how a real man took care of a woman, I'd do just that.

  She finally nodded and licked her lips again, her eyes wider, the air around her seeming tense.

  “I'm hiring you—or more so offering you the position—of being my personal assistant.” Truth was I didn't need a personal assistant. I had people who answered phones for me, who filed paperwork, who did the computer-work bullshit. I just didn't want her dancing in front of men, but I also wanted her close to me.

  She didn't respond right away, just continued to watch me, maybe processing what I’d just said.

  “I didn't know there was a personal assistant position available.”

  I wasn't going to lie to her. “There's not.”

  Her brows furrowed again.

  I leaned forward and braced my forearms on the desk. “I won't fuck around here, Jana. I'm hiring you as a personal assistant because I don't want you dancing in front of men. Not just at my club, but stripping at any establishment.”

  Her chest was rising and falling faster, harder, and her breasts pressed against the thin material of her shirt. “And why don’t you want me stripping?” She asked the question so softly, maybe unsure if she really wanted to hear the answer.

  I tightened my jaw, clenched my hands into fists, and took a deep breath. “Because I don't want anyone else looking at you. I don't want you taking your clothes off for any asshole.” Anyone but me, that is. “I don't want you stripping because I want you as mine.”

  5

  Jana

  Had I just heard him right? I didn't know whether to cool my expression or feel excitement over the prospect that Cole Savage had just told me he wanted me as his. Not only that, he didn't even want me dancing—stripping—for anyone.

  I licked my lips, forcing myself to be calm. I didn't want to seem excited or overly nervous, but the reality of the situation was I was extremely aroused and anticipated the fact he wanted me.

  “I can see my words have shocked you.” He stood, walked around the desk, and stopped right in front of me.

  I tipped my head back, feeling extremely feminine in this moment. The room was hot, the air seeming thicker. I was breathing especially hard, but I couldn't help it, didn't even want to try and stop myself from reacting this way.

  He dropped down to his haunches, his hands now braced on the arms of the chair on either side of me. I knew that my emotions were clear as day, especially to a man like Cole.

  “Are you frightened by what I said?”

  Was I? I could've lied, but telling the truth seemed easier, better in the long run.

  “No.”

  He lifted one of his dark brows after I said that lone word, curiosity clear on his expression, or maybe he was just surprised that I wasn't afraid.

  Maybe he expected his words to have this frightening feeling moving inside of me. Maybe he was used to that from people? I couldn't deny that yes, a part of me was shocked by what he’d said, but a bigger part was … aroused.

  I felt anticipation, excitement.

  “Then tell me, Jana, how do you feel right now?”

  I had my hands in my lap, twisting my fingers together almost painfully. I felt my heart thundering behind my ribs, threatening to burst through.

  “Tell me.” He said those two words, his voice so deep, so masculine, I felt this chill race up my body.

  “I want that. I want to be yours.” I just said what I felt, was completely honest with a man I really didn't know.

  But I want to know him.

  How he’d made me feel that first moment I saw him was like nothing I had ever experienced before. I felt so strongly in my need for him that I didn't even want to contemplate denying either of us.

  I wouldn't.

  Cole

  Several days had passed since I had Jana in my office, since she’d accepted the position … since I told her I wanted her as mine. For the past couple of days all I'd been able to think about was her saying she wanted that, too.

  My dick had been perpetually hard since the moment I had the interview with her. I knew the fucker wouldn't go down until I was balls-deep in her. But I had a feeling even after that happened—which it would, but only when she was ready—she would be the only one to make me that hard.

  She was the only one that had me craving more than just sex, had ever had me craving … more. I hadn't even touched, kissed, or claimed her, but I wanted more than just sexual gratification with her.

  I wanted her at my side. I wanted her as my queen, the only woman who could make my heart pound fast and hard … painfully.

  Today was her first official day as my personal assistant. I was anticipating the moment she came in and I could see her. I honestly didn't care if she just sat in my office for her entire shift, for the sole purpose of letting me look at her.

  And then she was walking into my office, the pencil skirt she wore tight and falling down to her knees, showing me the ballerina body that she possessed. She was slender, with delicate curves, and my cock decided to jerk to attention at that very instant.

  The smile she gave me was sweet, innocent … almost. I wondered how vulnerable this woman really was. The very idea that she could be so innocent as to be untouched had the possessive side of me rising up like this vicious beast.

  “Mr. Savage,” she said in a soft, sweet voice.

  “I want you to call me Cole,” I reminded her once again. I was sure she was trying to be professional, but that was the last thing on my mind. I wanted her to hear my name, to let me envision what it would sound like coming from her when I fucked her.

  What I wanted to do right now was toss that little bag she carried to the side, tear off the formfitting top she wore, and remove her tight-as-fuck pencil skirt. What was she wearing underneath? To be honest she could've been wearing a burlap sack and I still would have been so fucking hard for her.

  I stood and made my way toward her. Jana had her head tipped back just slightly, and I could see the way her pupils dilated.

  She was already aroused.

  I couldn't stop the growl that left me. I was like this fucking animal in need of having my mate. I felt so barbaric, so fiercely protective of her that if anybody tried to stop me, I would've torn them limb from limb.

  But taking my time was the best course of action, right?

  I’d let her get comfortable, show her that she was meant to be mine no matter what. And God help anyone who tried to touch her, who thought that they had the right to even look in her direction.

  “Where would you like me to start?”

  I grinned, the fact that she was trying to appear calm amusing me. What I really wanted to tell her was that I wanted her to strip down to her panties and bra, go sit in the leather chair in the corner, and have her legs spread for me.

  I was such a vile bastard. But I wanted to see every inch of her. I wanted to memorize every part of her.

  I honestly had no clue what I wanted her to do, because I didn’t actually need a personal fucking assistant. I just needed her.

  But I turned and walked toward my desk, picked up a stack of invoices from a shipment I’d received this week, and turned to hand them to her. “I'll have you input these.” I walked back over to her and handed her the papers. I stood there for a minute just watching her. She lifted her gaze to mine, her eyes so blue I wanted to get lost in them.

  “I'll be happy to do that, but where exactly am I supposed to input this?” There was a little hesitation in her voice, and all that did was turn me on more.

  “Over here. On my personal computer.”
I wanted her close, wanted to smell the sweet scent that came from her, wanted it saturating my office. I wanted to fantasize about all the dirty things I’d do to her.

  I gestured for her to sit down in my seat, behind my desk. Once I had the computer started and the program loaded, all I did was stand there and watch her. She probably thought I was a fucking creep, and maybe I was, but she was just so damn gorgeous I couldn't help myself.

  For the next ten minutes I explained what I wanted her to do.

  And then I forced myself to leave, because if I stayed, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from having her right here in my office … right on my desk.

  Jana

  I’d been inputting the documents for the last hour, and although it was pretty easy work, I couldn't concentrate because every time Cole came back into the office, I felt his gaze on me. I glanced at him this last time and saw him sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. He had only been back in the office for a few minutes, but his presence was very intense, very consuming.

  Although anyone might say it was strange that he watched me continuously, truth was I liked it. I felt like he couldn't keep his eyes off me, that I was so mesmerizing to him that he just had to stare at me.

  I still couldn't get the memory out of my head of him saying he wanted me, or me saying I wanted him back. I don't know what I had been thinking. It was the truth, of course, but now it just felt a little awkward, seeing as it hadn’t been brought up again.

  I entered the last figures into the system and exhaled. “Is there anything else I can do for you?” After thinking that, my mind instantly went in the gutter. I could think of a lot of things that I wanted Cole to do to me.

  He didn't respond for several seconds. “How about you take your lunch, and when you come back, we can discuss what you can do next?”

  This whole day seemed odd, like Cole had no idea what to do with me.