Chapter 4
Clover
“Holy shit.” My best friend laughs when I tell her about last night. We’re in the car on the way to the meeting and I’m still blushing from last night’s activities. When I got home, I found myself in the shower, my hand between my legs once more as I thought about Gideon and his friend.
“I don’t know if this is even a good idea. I mean, my life is about to explode, and I need to focus.” The worry has been circling my mind all morning. My debut album is about to hit the shelves in a few months, and there’s no way I can hide my face from him. I’ll be blasted on every magazine and newspaper across the country. He will know who I am before this week is out.
“I’m sure he’ll be able to help you focus,” she cocks a perfectly manicured brow at me. “Tell me what he looked like again?”
“Well, he was tall, with brown hair that reminded me of warm chocolate. His eyes”—I swoon like a teenager with a crush at the memory of his gaze on me—“they made me weak. It was just how he looked at me.”
“It’s the Dominant effect.” Chelsea giggles.
It’s my turn to arch a brow at her. “The Dominant effect? Seriously?”
She nods seriously as if I should know this. We both got into the lifestyle at the same time. Finding out we’re submissive in the bedroom, we found ourselves in a club back home, in New York. We ventured out into the world and enjoyed the exclusivity and privacy it offered.
“I just don’t know how I’m meant to handle this… whatever it is… if he knows who I really am…” The hope I had last night has been squashed at the thought of Gideon learning who I am and not wanting me.
“If he’s older, more mature, he’ll understand. Perhaps he’ll even want to keep you safe from the bullshit that’s about to hit your life,” Chelsea says, giving me advice like she’s always done.
I lost my mother when I was twelve, and my father was more interested in the money my career would bring him, rather than wanting to raise a daughter with paternal affection.
The car pulls up to the enormous skyscraper, which makes me nervous. Glancing out of the window, I take in the windows of the building, wondering how it’s going to feel walking in there, being the star of the show.
“Let’s go, superstar.” Chelsea smiles and I’m thankful my best friend is here with me. I don’t know what I’d do without her. She’s given me the friendship I’ve always longed for, even as an agent. Chelsea knows me better than anyone else, even better than I know myself.
We head into the building with smiles as the reception desk comes into view. A large Hale and Associates sign behind the stunning brunette who’s dressed in a bright red blouse, with her hair pinned into a tight chignon. Her lips match her top, and her eyes are done in a smoky eye which makes the blue irises pop. She’s on a call when I walk up, and I have to pinch myself to make sure this is real, and I’m not dreaming. But I’m certain it’s real when she looks up and offers me a large smile.
“You’re Clover,” she says, setting the device down. It’s not a question, she’s making a statement, which is evident to me that she already recognizes me.
“I am.”
“I’m so happy to meet you.” The beautiful woman rises, coming around the desk to shake my hand. “Hi.” She grins, taking Chelsea’s hand and shaking it. “It’s wonderful to have you both here. I’ll call up to the studio and make sure they’re ready for you.”
“That’s fine, thank you.” She ushers us into the seats, which are smooth, soft leather, and I run my fingers along the material in hopes of calming myself. I want nothing more than to be professional, mature, but I feel like a little girl, out of my depth.
It’s only moments later that the elevator dings, and the metal doors slide open. My breath is stolen when a man saunters out into the reception area.
Shit. It’s him.
My heart leaps into my throat, threatening to choke me the closer he gets. When his gaze lands on me, he smiles, and I’m stunned into silence. He won’t recognize me. Will he?
“Good morning, ladies,” he says, offering me his hand first, before turning to Chelsea. “It’s great to have you here today.” He continues, completely oblivious to who I am. He had his hands on me, his fingers inside me, and he doesn’t even acknowledge it.
I wish I could turn to Chels and tell her, but she’s talking to him about the session and that she has to leave me here for a while since she has a meeting with another client at nine.
Being alone with this man is not going to be easy. And I know when he finally realizes it’s me, he’ll either send me away, or act as if I don’t exist, which he seems to already be good at.
“… thank you. I’ll see you later, yeah?” My thoughts are dragged back to the present when Chelsea smiles over at me, her hand on mine, giving it a squeeze of reassurance. I haven’t had a second to tell her who Gideon is.
Gideon Hale.
“Yeah, of course,” I affirm, hoping she’ll see the pleading in my gaze, but she’s not taking note of anything other than the man before us. Sadness grips me for a moment. She’s more his type than I am. Also, she’s older than me by a few years, and he’ll surely want her. Once she’s gone, Gideon’s hand on my shoulder startles me, causing me to shoot my stare at him.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I answer, staring at him, trying to gauge his reaction, but there’s nothing there. He doesn’t even flicker with recognition. Gideon leads me back to the elevators, and once the doors open, he waits for me to enter first.
The moment I do, my stomach sinks. Last night was nothing more than some fun. Why am I make it out to be anything more? But the moment the doors slide shut, he’s pinning me against the cool metal wall as we inch up to the top floor.
“It’s you,” he murmurs along my lips. The scent of sandalwood assaults my nostrils as he presses himself against me. “I went home last night, craving another taste.”
“Gideon.” His name tumbles from my lips, and a grin curls his perfect mouth. “I thought you didn’t—”
“I was shocked to see you’re my new client, but make no mistake, I know you, Clover, I know you far too well.” His voice is rough, husky with desire as his hand grips my ass so hard, I yelp. “I want you in my office, on your knees, taking my cock down your throat.”
The promise has me squirming. “We’re… I don’t… I mean…”
“But before that, I’ll work your voice in another way.” He steps away from me with a wink, leaving me humming with a need that’s already taken hold of my body and mind.
Finally, the elevator comes to a stop, and the doors slide open. Gideon gestures for me to exit first, and he follows so close behind me, I can’t find the strength to breathe. His warmth holds me, hostage, making me want to lean back and fall into his arms.
This is ridiculous. But I can’t deny he’s everything I want. All I can pray is that I’m all he needs as well.