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  I knew she wouldn't disappoint, simply because she was perfect.

  3

  Jana

  I stared at the stage, my nerves controlling me, my heart racing. I knew my hands would be shaking if I didn't have them closed into tight fists.

  I felt his gaze on me, this dark, penetrating focus that had me acutely aware of my surroundings. I took a deep breath, and I walked over to the stage, took the three steps that were required to get onto it, and set my bag down.

  “If you need to change, there's a small dressing room off to the left.” His voice was so deep, dark, and commanding.

  I glanced over my shoulder at him and stared right into his eyes. This wasn't my first stripping job, and certainly wasn't the first time I had auditioned, obviously, but for some reason I was scared shitless.

  “I don't need to change. I came prepared.”

  The thigh-high jacket I wore was cinched tightly around my waist with a tie. I undid it and slipped the jacket off my body and tossed it aside. I slipped off my ballet flats and bent down to open up the duffel bag. I pulled out my black patent leather stilettos and slipped them on.

  My heart was thundering, and I could feel it beating rapidly at the base of my throat. Once I had the bag moved out of the way, I turned around and faced Cole. He watched me with this unreadable expression, his face partially covered in shadows, his big body seeming imposing.

  He lifted his hand, and I saw he held a small remote. A second later music started playing from speakers overhead.

  “When you're ready, Jana.”

  The way he said my name had shivers racing up my spine. It sounded so intimate, like he knew me, had seen every part of my body previously. It was like he knew who I was and he’d anticipated this moment.

  I closed my eyes, took in a deep breath, and focused on the task at hand. I was here to impress him, to show him that I'd be an asset to his business.

  I opened my eyes and walked over to the silver bar. I lifted my hand and wrapped my fingers around the gleaming pole, feeling the metal warm under my touch.

  The music continued to play overhead, a softer, seductive tone, but also having this bite to it. I started moving. The outfit I wore was a minuscule skirt with pink lace around the edge. The top stopped at my midriff with the plunging neckline and the same lace around the bodice, accentuating my cleavage.

  For stripper standards I was pretty much overdressed, but the clothing would come off the more I got into the song and dance.

  I only focused on what I was doing and not on the fact that Cole was just a few feet away, his intense gaze burning holes in the back of my head. I felt him watching me, like fingers skating over my bare flash. Goose bumps popped out along my arms, and this chill raced over me.

  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 as much as I was good 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 and 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.

  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 de
sire 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 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, 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 to 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 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 shaped 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 may 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, 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 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, clinched 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 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, and innocent … almost. I wondered how vulnerable this woman really was. The very idea that she could be so innocent as to be untouched had this possessive side of me rising up like this vicious beast.

  “Mr. Savage,” she said in the 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 tore 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.