Page 89 of Beguiled

I’d managed to place Saige in the crosshairs, making her my weakness without even trying. When had that started? On the night of the Christmas party.

And how? I’d remembered the delicious event happening with no one being the wiser. But I’d remembered incorrectly.

There’d been a guest on the terrace when I’d met Saige. I’d believed him to be an employee given his access to the ballroom and the accompanying outdoor venue, both by invitation only. He’d seen our connection that had sparked from minute one. Then it was possible Mikhail had figured out we’d gotten closer through our work together.

And somehow, he’d decided on that night to claim her as his own. Only because Saige was similar to the original girl who always wore a mask.

Maybe I was completely wrong, allowing my emotions to get in the way of cognitive thinking. However, it was something to keep in mind. Including when deciding how best to handle moving forward with Saige.

But my desires were far too out of control to try to stop them now.

With Saige on her knees in front of me, I was overwhelmed with the very emotions I’d learned to ignore. Now I was ready to chuck all the education in favor of accepting a tempting offer.

From a beautiful woman harboring a secret. Not one that would condemn anyone’s life but rather the very reason for her strength and resolve. And for playing Russian roulette with the devil.

I’d been consumed by wondering why a decent, hardworking, brilliant, and law-abiding woman would even hint at working in the darkness she should fear. Or at least shy away from.

The reason was as simple as knowing innately she didn’t deserve to have a portion of her soul taken away. She wanted above all things to protect her family that she loved so much.

Much like I’d felt with my mother from the time I knew we were mostly going it alone. Yes, we’d had my grandmother, but only as emotional support. We’d scraped the bottom of the barrel just to survive. I’d been the kid stealing bread from bakeries and taking jobs at ten years old to put some food on the table.

So I understood her reasons why.

What I didn’t comprehend was how powerful a hold she had over my desires.

Saige’s body trembled as I studied her, her tongue continually darting across her plump bottom lip. The one she’d been chewing on and off while trying to explain her way out of breaking into my office and my computer.

My beautiful assistant was a very clever, determined woman, someone I craved with every ounce of my being.

Damn it all to hell, but I did.

The woman had left a forever impression on me and although I’d convinced myself keeping her at arm’s length was the best choice, that wasn’t going to work.

Not now that she’d almost laid all her cards on the table.

And the fact that my dick was harder than before. Spanking her had reawakened a longing I couldn’t toss aside.

“Come closer,” I instructed.

With her eyes glassy, she dropped to all fours, crawling closer. She was relinquishing control, perhaps determined to please me.Who was I to push that away? Not when I craved tasting every inch of her.

Even with only a few inches separating us, she managed to take her time. Did she think she was required to pass another test? That’s what I’d been doing since finding her in my office, tossing out anything to try to get her to crack. Including about her brother, who was of no consequence. Even if he was FBI, I wouldn’t be fazed.

Saige was the only person capable of doing that to me. What I continued to mull over in my mind was whether I could place my trust in her. Yes, she had a sob story as so many families did and one easily checked for accuracy. However, one too many issues with the last twenty-four hours was driving a sharp blade through my instincts.

I’d saved one last question for her, something that I’d refused to allow her to wiggle away from. Now seemed like the perfect time. With my legs split wide open, when she was between them, I fisted her hair, yanking her up onto her knees.

Shock pushed a moan from her lips as she gripped my thighs. Her eyes searched mine, the only hint of fear I’d seen in them appearing.

“I need an answer to a question, my little dancer. Do you know Vardan Zargarian?”

My years of paying close attention was challenged, but she wasn’t a player and because of that, her initial reaction was the truth. “Who is that?”

“Someone you went to college with. He graduated with the same degree as you.” Did I suspect Vardan was not a man who couldbe trusted? Not necessarily, but I was determined to look at the situation from all sides.

Her uncertainty turned to her signature annoyance. Which is what I was hoping for. There were no additional barriers that mattered to me at this point.

I might consider myself a fool later for agreeing to anything other than simply taking what I wanted, but right now, my mind was preoccupied with physical needs.