back, so hard and big, had her panties wet. And then he reached out, gripped the handle, right over her hand, and turned it to open the door. She stumbled out, glanced over her shoulder to see him leaning against the frame smirking, and faced forward again. Once inside the elevator she closed her eyes and rested her head on the wall behind her. This had to be a dream, or a nightmare. Heck, she had to pinch herself to make sure this was actually happening. She knew she had no intentions of signing any contract, because no matter how much money he offered, she was no man’s property. But even thinking that had her mind faltering slightly, because the thought of being Rian’s for a week, did have a very dark, tempting quality to it.
8
Rian sat on the back porch of his apartment and stared at Central Park that was right across from him. It was Saturday evening, and all he had thought about since he spoke with Sorcha earlier today was … her. She was a take no shit girl, but underneath that hard veneer he saw the woman she really was. She may say she would never submit to a man, but there was a definite part of her that was curious.
He wasn’t even thinking about BDSM for what he liked in the sexual sense, but he could assume why she would think he was into really kinky shit. Although he on occasion enjoyed restraining his sexual partners, it wasn’t something he practiced constantly. The few women that came forward and spilled about what a bastard he had been for not wanting more, were usually the ones that thought they could change him.
He just wanted her in any way she’d let him have her, and because of that he felt a little out of control. Rian was always in control. Always. But with her he felt different, felt like there was this pull. In reality he didn’t know if he liked that feeling, or hated her for making him feel less than in control.
“Mr. Hartford, a Miss Marshall is here requesting your presence.”
Rian glanced over his shoulder at Theodore, a man that had worked for his father back in the day, and now worked for him. Rian scrubbed a hand over his face, feeling annoyed at knowing Beatrice had shown up. He contemplated having Theodore tell her he wasn’t seeing anyone tonight, but he knew how persistent she was.
“Would you like me to send her away?” Theodore asked, his wrinkled face showing no emotions. He was old, but he didn’t take shit from anyone, least of all a woman like Beatrice Marshall.
“No, I better deal with her.” Rian stood. “You’ve let her into the building?”
“Yes, sir. She was already making a fuss, so I thought instead of making a scene I’d let her up given the hour, and because I think she is a bit intoxicated.”
“Smart on your part. She can be … dramatic, and I’m sure she’s drunk.” He made his way back inside and to the front door. He’d planned on meeting her in the foyer right outside of his door, because he didn’t want her in the house, but as soon as he opened the door she nearly fell into him.
“Rian.” She dragged out his name in a slurred voice and started running her hands over his chest. “I’ve missed you.”
“Beatrice, you’re drunk, and not welcome here.” He gently pushed her away, and she stumbled back against the door, shutting it.
She frowned in a dramatic and false way, and then straightened. Her light pink Chanel business skirt suit was wrinkled, and out of place, and he wrinkled his nose at her.
“You smell like a bar, Beatrice.” He smoothed his hands over his shirt, and then took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I told you that there isn’t anything more between us aside from what we shared.”
And this was why the contract, if Sorcha agreed, was a brilliant idea. Sorcha may have acted like she was totally against it, but he’d bet his empire that she was lying in bed right now thinking about it, contemplating actually going through with it, and that was the doubt he needed her to feel. If she signed the contract, legally she’d be his for that time, and after the term of the contract she would have no legal standings to converse with him in more than a professional manner, not unless she wanted