Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145091 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 725(@200wpm)___ 580(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
She’d never been to The Garden. When her father would meet with Nick it was always in neutral spots—places where it would be natural for the two former SVR operatives to meet up. No one had wanted her father too closely associated with McKay-Taggart and Knight.
But, oh, she’d heard rumors.
Was she going to go to her room on play nights and not step out into that dungeon for fear of what? That Drake would see her in a thong? There was a reason she’d packed a corset, and it wasn’t because she enjoyed sitting around in one.
Because before she’d realized Drake would be here, she hadn’t thought she wouldn’t play. Not for a second. Why was she letting him dictate how she spent her nights?
And if Kim was right about his talk with Tag, he was probably thinking about playing, too.
“Well, I’m not in the lifestyle, so I will be reading my books,” Brad said in an oddly prim tone. “Try not to wake me up if you… You’re not going to bring someone back to our room, are you?”
Ah, there it was. She didn’t want to watch Drake play. She didn’t want to watch him give what he’d promised her to some other woman. It was irrational, but deep down she knew she’d be jealous.
So play with him. This is your chance. Get him out of your system and maybe get a little revenge on him, too.
Drake’s eyes rolled. “No. If I do something to desecrate my body, I’ll do it far from our room.”
“See that you do,” Brad replied and then turned to Taylor. “I suppose one nice dinner isn’t going to kill us, but after tonight I want to focus. I’ll be available twenty-four seven.”
“That sounds like a threat,” Drake said with a snort.
Brad ignored him. “I think we should get the big call sometime soon. Jax has everything set up, and he’s heard some talk on the Dark Web that something big is coming. I’m certain they’re going to move on Dr. Walsh’s research soon. I think I’ll find a glass of wine. A riesling should pair well with that goat cheese.”
He strode toward the bar, turning more positive in an instant.
“He must really like goat cheese.”
“I swear I did not know he had so many pearls he could clutch.” Drake sighed and sat back, his eyes going soft as he looked at her. “Did I apologize for being an ass earlier?”
She shouldn’t engage him but found herself talking before she could make the right call. “No, you didn’t.”
“I’m sorry. I know you won’t believe me, but it was mostly about your safety.”
“And now you don’t care about my safety?” It was perverse, but she felt like pushing him.
“It was pointed out to me that you’re not a safe woman, and to try to make you one wouldn’t be fair. I don’t think a lot of life has been fair to you, Taylor. I get that, and I’m going to be as supportive as I can be. Now, let’s talk about that dungeon.”
“I don’t think I’ll go.” She wasn’t going to make a fool of herself, and honestly, she probably hadn’t thought it through before. All she’d thought about was how nice it would be to have a few hours a week where she didn’t have to think about the op, where she could try to find some comfort. It looked like comfort would have to wait. Again. “Brad’s right. I wouldn’t be able to relax because I can’t really play with anyone. I guess I’ll go use the gym and get my endorphins the old-fashioned way.”
His gaze seemed to pierce through her. Like he could see what she needed. “Or you could let me help you.”
There it was—the real danger. He was using that deep, rich voice of his to offer her the one thing she could never accept from him again.
“I think the last time you helped me didn’t go so well for me.”
“Didn’t it?” A brow rose over Drake’s eyes. “I think the sex part went fine. It was the whole ‘I was an asshole and didn’t try to fight to keep you with me’ part that didn’t go well.”
Were they doing this here and now? She wasn’t sure she wanted a debrief concerning their one-night stand. “Why would you fight to keep me? The whole play was to get information.”
Which was a good reason for her to stay close to him. She could figure out if he was working with his sister. She could take him down if he was.
“It wasn’t a play, Taylor. Whatever else you believe, know that I wasn’t pretending. When I first got to the safe house, I was told about the fact that your father was under investigation and that I should be careful around you.”
That didn’t surprise her in any way. “You were careful enough to wear a condom. I should be happy about that.”