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My pace picks up, almost on its own. As if I’m merely along for the ride. I can sense the crescendo building, and it’s all I can do to hold on until she comes for me again. I adjust the angle of my hips and begin to hammer in and out of her. My grips tightens in her hair and around her neck. She’s so wet. The sounds of our connection pair with the drag of my heavy cock inside her, and something detonates.

“Max,” she screams, her nails clawing into the sheets.

“That’s it. Come for me.” My heart is thudding in my chest, the sounds of our arousal the only sound I hear as she bucks underneath me.

“Fuck. Fuck.” I let out a roar that I don’t recognize as I empty into her, my body convulsing in a way I’ve never experienced before. The euphoria is unimaginable.

As the white dots behind my closed lids start to recede, I slowly blink them open to find Cassidy peering up at me. Her eyes look glassy and sated. Her hair is damp, a wild golden nest around her as she lies with her face turned to one side, my hand gripping the back of her neck.

I’m looking down at her, my heart still racing from the crash of our defenses, but as my eyes adjust, I see them. The faint scar traveling the length of her jaw, her hair wrapped in my fist, and my hand around her neck.

I freeze, a cold spike of dread hitting my stomach. I’m terrified I’ve hurt her. That in my desperate need for her, I was too rough. I sit up abruptly on the edge of the bed, dropping my head into my hands as the weight of my actions settles on my shoulders.

What have I done?

29

CASSIDY

“Cass, I’m so sorry.” He sounds gutted. What on earth is he so upset about?

“For what, exactly?”

“I was so lost in how much I wanted you, I wasn’t thinking. I let loose without considering…” His eyes flash over to my jaw.

“No,” I blurt. “You didn’t hurt me.” I can’t help my self-satisfied grin. “I’m grateful for how consumed you were.” My cheeks burn at the admission. “That you didn’t think to treat me differently. You didn’t treat me as if I was broken.”

He glances back at me with a look I’m struggling to understand. It’s a combination of relief and thankfulness.

“Besides,” I add, “it’s not like that with us.”

I don’t miss the way his brows pinch at my reference to his earlier statement. “Cass...”

“No, it’s okay. I’m a big girl.” I roll over, pulling my bra and sweater back into place. “You were right. This is dangerous. For a number of reasons. Mainly if Gianni were to find out. I’m not in a place where I can risk losing my job. I was warned when I was hired, relationships with members are strictly forbidden. I’m still surprised Lala and Gianni even allow us to work together.”

“Yeah,” he mutters into his palms. “To be honest, so am I.”

“And I live there.” I wring my hands, considering the possibility. “So if I lose my job, I also lose my home.”

Max’s head snaps up. “But you only work as a cocktail server, right?”

His question confuses me for a second. Until I put the pieces together. My eyes widen, horrified. “No, no. I’d never do that. I’ve never even seen the third or fourth floors, Max.” I have to admit, my curiosity has been tugging at me, wishing I could steal a sneak peek.

The instant relief washing over his features should be comforting.

I cross my arms over my chest. “But you’re a member of a private gentlemen’s club. I don’t understand why that would bother you?” I’m growing tired of repeating myself, of feeling defensive about working at DPG. Given he frequents there, he shouldn’t be judging me or anyone else.

“Isn’t it obvious?” he spits. “There’s no fighting the way I feel about you, Cassidy. I’ve tried. God, help me, I’ve tried. I’m not judging the lifestyle. I’ve seen it all. But the thought of you entertaining anyone like that… well, it’s more than I could handle.”

His admission brings a sense of reassurance. That it isn’t only me who is developing feelings here. And he’s right. This whole situation is fraught with risk. Entertaining men on the upper floors while seeing him might’ve been one stone too many for anyone to carry. “I guess that’s one reason Gianni doesn’t allow relationships with members. It blurs the lines.”

“Do you mind my asking? Why do you live there?” His voice is soft, careful, and full of concern. “I didn’t think Gianni had staff housing. Maybe at The Rox, but not here.”

Why does his question make me more nervous about his knowledge of the women at The Rox than divulging my personal trauma? My limbs begin to shake. I don’t think I’ve ever actually considered that one day I’d be sharing my history with someone… well, that I’m falling for. What if he rejects me once he hears?

It’s not like it would be the first time.

As if he can sense the distress I’m feeling, he scoots closer until he’s sitting beside me. “Cass, can I hold you? Please?”