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After pouring us each a drink, Alexander lifted my feet from the chair, sat down, then rested my ankles on his thighs. He began a slow, circular massage on the ball of one foot. I practically sighed from the pleasure of it.

“You don’t have to do that, you know,” I told him halfheartedly. I really didn’t want him to stop.

“I want to,” he said and continued to rub.

I certainly wasn’t about to argue with him and his magical hands, so I relaxed into the chair, sipped a bit of wine, and nibbled on some cheese.

Ahh, a girl could get used to this.

I watched Alexander, so careful and concentrated, fingers working mini miracles over my aching feet. So far, the night had gone off without much of a hitch. And while things seemed to be going smoothly, it was somewhat bizarre at the same time. He’d said last night he didn’t date, yet last night and tonight were exactly that—a date, at least in every sense of the word.

“I’ve put some thought into the conversation we had last night,” I said. “I’ve decided I’m not looking to date anyone any more than you are. I don’t know why you’re putting on this false charade. The only things missing are a few candles for ambiance.”

I was careful to keep my tone light as I gestured to the room around us.

“There’s nothing false about this whatsoever. I mean, we could just fuck now and get it over with, but I don’t think that would work for you. I can see the questions constantly circling in your head. You’re curious about me. Because of that, I’ve been giving you space to think about what you want—at least for the time being. You shouldn’t read too much into this, Krystina. I truly meant what I said. I’m not the dating kind,” he reaffirmed. “To classify last night and this evening as dates would only result in certain obligations I cannot meet.”

“No strings attached sounds good to me,” I said, somewhat hesitant in these unchartered waters. “Although, I’ll have to admit I’m not very good at this sort of thing. Let’s just pretend I’m willing to agree to what you want. How do you want this to work?”

“It’s simple. You work for Turning Stone during the day, and your evenings and weekends are reserved for me,” he stated as if he were proposing something so very normal.

He might as well have said he wants to control my entire life.

Trevor and his ridiculous schedules stood out front and center in my mind. The similarities between my past and the current situation were not lost on me for one minute. Sex was one thing. Allowing him to control every minute of my day was a whole different beast. Reclaiming my independence was a hard-fought, uphill battle. I was proud of what I’d overcome. Agreeing to what he suggested would be a giant step backward and risked everything I’d tried so hard to protect.

“I have a life, Alexander. You can’t possibly expect me to give it up to be at your beck and call.”

“I know that, and I won’t be unreasonable. I understand you have friends and family who need your attention as well. I didn’t mean every night in the literal sense. But trust me, sweetheart. When I call, I’ll make it worth your while,” he said temptingly. He flashed me another one of those to-die-for smiles as his hands continued to massage the joints in my feet.

His sexy James Dean maneuvers were making my head spin.

Stay focused!

“So, let me get this straight. I work with you during the day, you sign my paycheck, and then I become your kinky concubine at night.”

He grinned and cocked his head to one side. Eventually, that grin turned into an easy laugh.

“You could simplify it like that if you want.”

“I never thought going to bed with someone could make me sound like a hooker.” I laughed in return, forcing myself to dismiss the angel waving the scarlet letter in front of my face. She wasn’t finding this conversation even remotely funny.

“Don’t cheapen it that way. I’m asking you to submit yourself to me willingly,” he said, sapphire eyes gleaming with mischief. “And you will agree to it because it will please me.”

“I suppose next you’re going to tell me women agree to this arrangement all the time?” I asked, still slightly guarded and somewhat skeptical.

“I typically don’t have trouble working it out. Although some women make it more difficult than others.”

“I can certainly see why some might have a problem with giving up every spare moment of their time for you,” I said dryly.

“Oh, no. It’s nothing like that. I meant some women prefer to secure non-disclosure agreements first, which I find completely pointless but will agree to when I have to,” he explained.

“Non-disclosure agreements? Wait—forget it. I don’t want to know. In fact, the whole idea of us working together, sleeping together—it’s all crazy. I don’t see how we can mix the two,” I told him, feeling completely disconcerted over the situation I had landed myself in.

Maybe it’s time I take heed of the angel’s warnings.

“If you are worried about us being able to work together during the day, I assure you, our paths will seldom cross. I am a very busy man.”

My head snapped up to look him in the face.