betraying my wish to sound as natural, disinterested, and calm as I can with my hormones

wreaking havoc through my body.

“Well, as you’re sore, I thought we could stick to oral skills.”

I choke on my tea, and I stare at him, eyes wide and gaping. He pats me gently on the

back and passes me some orange juice. I cannot tell what he’s thinking.

“That’s if you want to stay,” he adds. I glance up at him, trying to recover my equilib-

rium. His expression is unreadable. It’s so frustrating.

“I’d like to stay for today. If that’s okay. I have to work tomorrow.”

“What time do you have to be at work tomorrow?”

“Nine.”

“I’ll get you to work by nine tomorrow.”

I frown. Does he want me to stay another night?

“I’ll need to go home tonight – I need clean clothes.”

“We can get you some here.”

I don’t have spare cash to spend on clothes. His hand comes up, and he grasps my

chin, tugging it so my lip is released from the grip of my teeth. I’m not even aware I’ve

been biting my lip.

“What is it?” he asks.

“I need to be home this evening.”

His mouth is a hard line.

“Okay, this evening,” he acquiesces. “Now eat your breakfast.”

My thoughts and my stomach are in turmoil. My appetite has vanished. I stare at my

half-eaten breakfast. I’m just not hungry.

“Eat, Anastasia. You didn’t eat last night.”

“I’m really not hungry,” I whisper.

His eyes narrow.

“I would really like you to finish your breakfast.”

“What is it with you and food?” I blurt. His brow knits.

“I told you, I have issues with wasted food. Eat,” he snaps. His eyes are dark, pained.

Holy Crap. What is that all about?I pick up my fork and eat slowly, trying to chew.

I must remember not to put so much on my plate if he’s going to be weird about food. His

expression softens as I carefully make my way through my breakfast. I note that he cleans

his plate. He waits for me to finish, and then he clears my plate.

“You cooked, I’ll clear.”

“That’s very democratic.”

“Yes.” He frowns. “Not my usual style. After I’ve done this, we’ll take a bath.”

“Oh, okay.” Oh my… I’d much rather have a shower.My cell rings, interrupting my

reverie. It’s Kate.

“Hi.” I wander over to the glass doors of the balcony, away from him.

“Ana, why didn’t you text last night?” She’s angry.

“I’m sorry, I was overtaken by events.”

“You’re okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Did you?” She’s fishing for information. I roll my eyes at the expectation in her voice.

“Kate, I don’t want to talk over the phone.” Christian glances up at me.

“You did… I can tell.”

How can she tell? She’s bluffing, and I can’t talk about this. I’ve signed a damned

agreement.

“Kate, please.”

“What was it like? Are you okay?”

“I’ve told you I’m okay.”

“Was he gentle?”

“Kate, please!” I can’t hide my exasperation.

“Ana, don’t hold out on me, I’ve been waiting for this day for nearly four years.”

“I’ll see you this evening.” I hang up.

That is going to be one difficult square to circle. She’s so tenacious, and she wants

to know – in detail, and I can’t tell her because I’ve signed a – what was it called? NDA.

She’ll freak and rightly so. I need a plan. I head back to watch Christian move gracefully

around his kitchen.

“The NDA, does it cover everything?” I ask tentatively.

“Why?” he turns and gazes at me while putting the Twinings away. I flush.

“Well, I have a few questions, you know, about sex.” I stare down at my fingers. “And

I’d like to ask Kate.”

“You can ask me.”

“Christian, with all due respect.” My voice fades. I can’t ask you.I’ll get your biased,

kinky-as-hell, distorted world-view regarding sex. I want an impartial opinion. “It’s just

about mechanics. I won’t mention the Red Room of Pain.”

He raises his eyebrows.

“Red Room of Pain? It’s mostly about pleasure, Anastasia. Believe me,” he says.

“Besides,” his tone is harsher. “Your room-mate is making the beast with two backs with

my brother. I’d really rather you didn’t.”

“Does your family know about your… um predilection?”

“No. It’s none of their business.” He saunters toward me until he’s standing in front

of me.

“What do you want to know?” he asks, and raising his hand runs his fingers gently

down my cheek to my chin, tilting my head back so he can look directly into my eyes. I

squirm inwardly. I cannot lie to this man.

“Nothing specific at the moment,” I whisper.

“Well, we can start with – how was last night for you?” His eyes burn, filled with curi-

osity. He’s anxious to know. Wow.

“Good,” I murmur.

His lips lift slightly.

“Me too,” he murmurs. “I’ve never had vanilla sex before. There’s a lot to be said

for it. But then, maybe it’s because it’s with you.” He runs his thumb across my lower lip.

I inhale sharply. Vanilla sex?

“Come, let’s have a bath.” He leans down and kisses me. My heart leaps and desire

pools way down low… way down there.

The bath is a white stone, deep, egg-shaped affair, very designer. Christian leans over and

fills it from the faucet on the tiled wall. He pours some expensive looking bath oil into the

water. It foams as the bath fills and smells of sweet sultry Jasmine. He stands and gazes at

me, his eyes dark, then peels his t-shirt off and casts it on the floor.

“Miss Steele.” He holds his hand out.

I’m standing in the doorway, wide-eyed and wary, my arms wrapped around myself. I

step forward while surreptitiously admiring his physique. He is just yummy. My subcon-

scious swoons and passes out somewhere in the back of my head. I take his hand, and he

bids me to step into the bath while I am still wearing his shirt. I do as I’m told. I’ll have to

get used to it if I’m going to take him up on his outrageous offer… if!The water is entic-

ingly hot.

“Turn around, face me,” he orders, his voice soft. I do as I’m bid. He’s watching me

intently.

“I know that lip is delicious, I can attest to that, but will you stop biting it?” he says

through clenched teeth. “You chewing it makes me want to fuck you, and you’re sore,

okay?”

I gasp, automatically unlocking my lip, shocked.

“Yeah,” he challenges. “Got the picture.” He glares at me. I nod frantically . I had no

idea I could affect him so.

“Good.” He reaches forward and takes my iPod out of the breast pocket, and he puts

it by the sink.

“Water and iPods – not a clever combination,” he mutters. He reaches down, grasps

the hem of my white shirt, lifts it above my head, and discards it on the floor.

He stands back to gaze at me. I’m naked for heaven’s sake.I flush crimson and stare

down at my hands, level with the base of my belly, and I desperately want to disappear into

the hot water and foam, but I know he won’t want that.

“Hey,” he summons me. I peek up at him, and his head is cocked to one side. “Anasta-

sia, you’re a very beautiful woman, the whole package. Don’t hang your head like you’re

ashamed. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and it’s a real joy to stand here and gaze at

you.” He takes my chin in his hand and tilts my head up to reach his eyes. They are soft

and warm, heated even. Oh my.He’s so close. I could just reach up and touch him.

“You can sit down now.” He halts my scattered thoughts, and I scoot down into the

warm, welcoming water. Ooh… it stings. Which takes me by surprise, but it smells heav-

enly too, and the initial smarting pain soon ebbs away. I lie back and briefly close my eyes,