Page 34 of Handle Me

An older couple was standing in the corridor, doing their best to avert their eyes. “May we use the lift? We have a dinner reservation.”

“Sorry.” Anders stepped to the side and moved in front of me, allowing me time to smooth down my skirt. “Whidbury suite?”

“Down the hall,” the wife said, her eyes sparkling.

“Cheers.” Anders grabbed my hand.

“Have a lovely evening,” I offered feebly as he began dragging me away.

“You, too,” the old man said with a knowing nod.

“Oh my god,” I whispered, feeling my cheeks begin to burn. So much for discretion.

“Why do I feel like they just gave us permission to go in here and do all the debauched things we want?” Anders asked as we reached the suite’s door.

I couldn’t help giggling. But the temporary interruption had given me time to clear my head a little. He opened the door and started to pull me inside.

“Wait,” I said, holding up my free hand. “I think we should establish a few ground rules.”

His shoulders slumped, but he nodded. “Shoot, boss.”

I hadn’t expected him to put me on the spot, so I blurted out the first thing I could think of. “No public displays of affection,” I said, quickly adding, “or we’ll wind up with paparazzi everywhere.”

“Deal.” He nodded. “Anything else?” He tugged at my hand a little.

“Rule number two.” I held up two fingers in case he needed a visual reference. “This happens after-hours only. I’m supposed to be here to help you.”

“I suspect I’m going to find getting you naked very helpful,” he said with a smirk.

I ignored him and held up three fingers. “Three. We tell no one. No one can know.”

“Fine.” He sounded less pleased about that one.

“And last but not least,” I said and took a deep breath before plunging forward, “this is just sex.”

“Is that it?” he asked with a groan.

“Do you agree?” I held out my pinky finger.

He stared at me.

“Don’t you have pinky promises here?” I asked, wondering if my American side was slipping through.

“Not after the age of ten,” he said with a laugh, but he looped his finger around mine and shook. “Now can we…”

I stared at the door cracked open behind him. Once we walked through it, there would be no turning back. After a second, I nodded.

Anders yanked me through it and slammed it shut. But this time, he didn’t kiss me. Instead, he pushed me against the wall and dropped to his knees.

“I’ve been thinking about this all day,” he said in a low voice that sent me from simmering to on fire. He kept his gaze locked on me as he pushed my dress to my hips to reveal my lacy knickers. Anders hooked his thumbs around the waistband and drew them past my trembling knees to my ankles.

“One at a time,” he coaxed, and I glared down at him. He responded with a deep laugh that turned me molten. He held out a hand. “Don’t fall. These shoes look dangerous.”

“You don’t like them?” I took his hand, and he helped me out of my underwear.

“The shoes?” He shook his head and ran his tongue over his lower lip. “No, I like them. That’s why I’m leaving them on. Now be a good girl, and take off your dress.”

My mouth went dry. He wanted me completely naked in nothing but a pair of Louboutins and him on his knees in front of me. I swallowed and remained still. “I thought I was the boss.”