Page 163 of Pure Recklessness

‘Because he works in the industry?’ Joe tilted his head.

‘Yeah,’ I said. ‘It wouldn’t work long-term. He’s older and into the finer things in life. And I’m the opposite. We come from completely different worlds.’

‘But opposites attract, right?’ Dana said.

I’d like to hope that was true.

When we were together, the age gap didn’t seem to matter.

And now he understood what I’d been through, something had shifted.

On Sunday, the connection between us felt deeper somehow. It was probably just my imagination though.

‘Trust me,’ I said. ‘It’s just sex.’

‘Look at you!’ Joe said. ‘When you first started working here, you couldn’t even say the word cock. Now you’re having hot, sexy flings with a mysterious powerful man. Our girl’s all grown up!’ Joe beamed like a proud parent.

‘She is!’ Dana grinned. ‘Although our Ellie’s not a girl these days, she’s all woman!’

‘You two!’ I rolled my eyes playfully.

‘We’re proud of you, that’s all,’ Dana said.

‘I know, thanks. I am too. But if my parents ever found where I was working or how much sex I’d been having, they’d freak out.’

‘Maybe they need to use some of Sated’s sex toys to loosen up,’ Joe scoffed. ‘You’re a twenty-six-year-old woman. This is your life. You’ve spent way too long living like a nun. This is your time to shine, babes!’

‘I’ll drink to that!’ I held up my now almost empty cocktail glass to cheers.

Just as we were clinking glasses, something shifted in the air.

A rich, expensive woody scent invaded my senses.

Blake was here.

When I saw him striding towards me, my breath hitched, my vagina woke from its slumber and fire flooded my veins.

Bloody hell.

It should be a crime to look that hot.

‘Eleanor,’ he growled.

‘Bl… Mr Devlin.’ I swallowed hard, hoping Dana and Joe hadn’t noticed that I almost called him by his first name. ‘What can I… Is there something you need?’

‘Yes,’ he said. ‘It’s Joe, isn’t it?’ Blake shifted his gaze to him.

‘Yes, sir!’ Joe’s face brightened.

‘And Dana?’ Blake turned to her.

‘That’s me!’ she squeaked, drool literally trickling down her chin.

‘I have an urgent matter to discuss with Eleanor.’ He reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, then dropped a crisp fifty-pound note on the table. ‘I trust this will cover your next round of drinks. Eleanor.’ He tilted his head towards the lift.

‘Sorry.’ I flashed Dana and Joe an apologetic smile. As happy as I was to see Blake, I was annoyed that he’d just stormed over and demanded I leave.

‘No worries!’ Dana said. ‘I need to leave soon anyway.’