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“You’ll see,” I finally reply.
“Braden…”
I lay my salad fork on my empty plate. “Nothing will happen without your express permission, Skye.”
She pushes her salad plate forward, having only finished half. “I know, but about that… Maybe this isn’t the best time to be introducing me to this other lifestyle of yours. I’m here on business, Braden.”
“As am I.”
“Right. That reminds me. How’s your contract going?”
“I don’t have to fly to China, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Good. I mean, that’s good, right?” She lifts her eyebrows.
“Definitely good. I don’t like being the visiting team.”
She nods.
“You’re changing the subject,” I say.
She laughs nervously. “Guilty. But I am interested in what you do. I’d like to learn more about it eventually.”
“You will.”
“Are you planning to go to my meeting tomorrow?”
“Ah. And you were hoping my business would keep me busy.”
She clears her throat. “I can’t deny having you there would make me less nervous, but it’s my meeting, Braden.”
“I understand that. I’ve always understood that. I’m simply offering my business expertise. I’ve been in business a lot longer than you have.”
“But they’re expecting me. Not me and you. You’ll intimidate them.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Yeah, it is. I want to do this myself. I want them to want me, not Braden Black’s girlfriend.”
This is important to her, and I understand.
I understand more than she knows.
“As you wish,” I say. “I still have a lot of business I can attend to. A limo will pick you up outside the building at nine a.m. sharp. You’ll have plenty of time to get to your ten thirty meeting.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“Not at all. I want your success, Skye. As much as you do.”
And I do.
I sincerely want success for Skye. She’s smart and talented, and she deserves it. If I can help her get there? I want to do that.
I was once smart and talented…and someone else helped me. It wasn’t what I wanted, and it wasn’t what I planned, but it happened.
And I took advantage of it.
Opportunity is opportunity, and if you don’t grab it when it’s in front of you, it may never return.
Skye bites her lip.
And I’m ready for this meal to be over.
Seth clears our salad plates and refills our wineglasses. “Your entrees will be out in a few minutes, Mr. Black.”
I breathe in. The meal is far from over. “Thank you, Seth.”
“Is there anything I can get you in the meantime?”
I glance at Skye. “Skye?”
“Nothing,” she says. “Everything has been wonderful so far.”
“I’ll tell the chef you’re pleased. Mr. Black?”
“Excellent, as always,” I say. “We’re looking forward to tonight’s creation.”
Seth smiles and leaves our table.
I take a sip of wine. “So…about tomorrow evening. I’m sure we’ll be celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?” Skye asks.
“Your new deal with Susanne, of course.”
“Oh. Yeah.” Her cheeks flush.
“Dinner in, I think, and then…my surprise.”
“O…kay.”
“You’ll enjoy it, Skye. I’m certain.”
Maybe not completely certain, but pretty damned certain.
“How can you be certain if I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about?”
“Let’s just say I know you.”
“We haven’t been together very long.”
“True. But you’ve given me your control in the bedroom, so you must trust that I know how to please you.”
“You said earlier that I wasn’t ready for this part of your…lifestyle.”
“I did. Then this morning happened.”
She cocks her head. “What happened this morning?”
“I saw you engrossed in a book in my library, touching yourself as you stared at the photographs.”
Her cheeks redden further.
And my cock tightens.
“You’re a photographer, Skye, but let me ask you this. Do you like being the subject of photographs?”
“I don’t mind if I look good. After all, this new career as an influencer means I need to take selfies.”
“What about being photographed by someone else?”
“I’m okay with it. Like I said, if I look good.”
“You have a beautiful body, Skye. May I take pictures of you?”
She raises her eyebrows and smiles. “I had no idea you might like to take pictures.”
“Photography is a hobby. I’m not remotely as good as you are.”
I used to take a lot of pictures when I was younger, but since Black, Inc. took off, I haven’t taken one. I haven’t had the desire to.
Until today, when I saw Skye fondling herself as she looked at the photograph of a woman bound for sexual pleasure.
I found the subject that has renewed my interest.
Skye.
Naked.
And bound.
“I’m just beginning my career,” she says.
“But you studied the art. I haven’t done that, other than read a few books.”
“What exactly are you asking, Braden?”
I lower my eyelids slightly. “I’m asking if I can take a photograph of you. A photograph of you nude. After I tie you up.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Skye takes another sip of wine.
She’s thinking. Wondering.
Wondering whether I’m serious.
Of course I’m serious. I’m the one who shot the photo of her wearing that sheet, that mask, that red lip tint. The photo that may have made her a star influencer.
