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  He arched a brow, a smile playing on his lips. “Even back then you were brave."

  His comment touched her, even though she shook her head. “Believe me, my life is filled with plenty of regrets, but none filled with braveness. But protecting Isabel was a no-brainer. I wanted to rip his head off for daring to touch me. But I was even more pissed that Isabel was head over heels on her way to falling in love with the bastard."

  He reached over and grabbed her hand, placing it over his knee, brushing the back with his thumb. “Your sister wouldn't have taken your side if she didn't love you enough to believe with just one glance that you were innocent."

  Practically a stranger to her, and John believed in her. But she was momentarily speechless as his touch had her belly tightening with need.

  He smiled. “Don't ever downplay your value. You are a unique woman, which leads me to believe you were a very exceptional young girl."

  His compliment got to her, his voice deep with sincerity. “Is this how you flatter all the ladies?"

  A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. She noticed immediately when he moved closer, until their lips were inches apart from one another. “No, only you,” he whispered.

  And she didn't know whether she believed him or not.

  He closed the remaining distance between them before settling his mouth over hers. She gasped as his tongue swept between her lips, his taste exploding within her, his spicy male flavor tinged with brandy filling her senses. He dominated the kiss, his hand leaving hers as he turned farther sideways and grabbed the back of her head, his fingers tightening around the strands of her hair as he deepened the kiss. Hot lusty heat zinged through her, zapping her strength, liquefying and melting her. Her breasts swelled at the same time a lightning bolt of desire shot to her clit.

  His tongue slipped between her lips, and he seemed to swallow the soft little breath that left her. Her fingers curled into his chest, and she felt his strength, his muscles flexing beneath her hand. Her clit began to throb, and her nipples stiffened against the silk of her bra. He made her forget everything until the very two of them just existed, heightening the desire between them. She moaned and whimpered as she felt his thumb brush her nipple.

  Sizzling electricity shot up her spine, and she felt the hot, slick wetness on her pussy, dampening her thong. She had never been prone to public displays of intimacy, but at this moment she wanted him to part her legs so his hand could feel her heat.

  She was in sync with him, riding the same wave of electricity, because a second later she felt him push her legs open, and then he made his way, inch by inch, to her heated core. He probably thought she was easy, but she didn't care. She was on fire, and she delved her hands into his hair, holding on for dear life. Finally, his hand reached her clit, and she moaned heatedly when he brushed it. And to her shock she realized a few more strokes and she'd go off like a rocket. If he ripped her panties and took her here, she wouldn't protest one bit. She couldn't remember a time she'd ever been this forward with a man, but at this moment she couldn't care less that they were in public. She dropped her hand and grasped his pant-covered cock. She felt his hotness through the material, his dick long, thick, and hard.

  He tightened his hold on her hair and tugged her head back.

  He licked his lips as if he needed to taste more of her, and she would have followed him at that moment anywhere. But instead of inviting her to his home—hell, even a hotel at this point—she never would have guessed the words spilling from his mouth would be, “I think we'd better had back to the office, so you can get your car."

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  Chapter Four

  Ariel sighed, grabbed her briefcase, and turned off the lights in the classroom. Enveloped in darkness, a friction of unease slid along her spine, and her arms prickled with goose bumps. Hesitation cramped her muscles. It was as if someone watched her, and she turned, trying to locate the source of her discomfort. She saw nothing, but that didn't ease her nervousness.

  Shake it off, Ariel. There's no one around watching you.

  She forced the nervousness away and stepped into the hallway, where the lighting was a bit better. Her students had left hours ago, and she had stayed to grade midterms, hoping it would take her mind off her worries. She walked out of the building and headed to her car, waving good-bye to the security guard at the front desk.

  It had been three weeks since she'd received the e-mail from John stating she'd passed the psychological questions with flying colors as well as the physical. The doctor declared her 100 percent healthy. There hadn't been any mention of what the next step would be, and she'd assumed the surprise element of her fantasy was part of why John hadn't reached out to her. But with every single day that passed, doubts began crawling in. No one from Capture Inc. had called either, and she continued to fight the need to pick up the phone and reach out to John. But if she gave in and contacted John, it would just show him that she was completely desperate, and that was the last thing she wanted him to think about her.

  Ariel thought there had been some sort of connection between them when he'd taken her out for drinks. He had blown her mind with that one hot kiss, his touch on her clit sending her into overdrive, and she admitted to herself, if he'd wanted to fuck her right then and there, she would have let him.

  She had wanted to straddle his lap and rub herself all over him. She'd felt his rigid cock pressed against the fabric of his slacks, the length impressive. She would have given anything to see what he looked like naked. He had wanted her just as much as she'd wanted him. John made her feel things she'd never felt with anyone. It was instant attraction since she'd first met him, and his reaction to her made her think he felt the same.

  But John had broken the kiss unexpectedly.

  She shook her head, hoping it would dislodge the worries from her mind. What good was it mulling the same thing over and over again?

  She reached her silver car and opened the door, then slid in. She turned her car on and eased it out of the lot.

  A decision needed to be made. Anxiety filled her stomach as she thought with finality, if he doesn't call by tomorrow, she'd simply forget her dream and move on with life. Dating a simple man who knew nothing about what she really wanted would be like settling. But she'd have some sort of happiness. Wouldn't she? At this point, her emotions and thoughts were one big ball of confusion.

  Living five minutes from her workplace was great. She parked the car, stepped out, locked the door, and headed to her second-floor two-bedroom condo. She shivered as the feeling of being watched returned full force. She placed her case on the floor and inserted the key in her door.

  An eerie feeling rushed through her, and as she glanced behind her, she saw a masked man stepping from the corner of the hall. He was about a foot from her, way too close for her to attempt anything, but she turned and ran for the stairs. He was on her in seconds, and it was too late to scream as he wrapped an arm around her waist. He placed a handkerchief over her nose and mouth. She tensed, her bones locking rigid as fright took over. All thought of John left her, and her fight instinct took over. She kicked out and struggled to breathe, the pounding beat of her heart overwhelming her. She realized too late, the sugary smell filling her nostrils was draining the strength out of her, her muscles turning languid as she was sent off to a deep forced sleep.

  It had taken every bit of willpower John possessed to not contact her. With each agonizing day that had passed, over three weeks to be exact, his cock had grown even harder, his lust for her climbing higher and higher. But he had watched her just for the sheer pleasure of seeing her work, or at times dreaming of how hot it would be between them when he fucked her. He acknowledged easily no other woman had ever made him feel this fierce want crawling inside, beating hungrily at him with an urge that had the power to turn him into a savage beast. Something about her captivated the core of him, and he still remembered the first time he'd seen her face-to-face as if it were yesterday. That was the da
y he could honestly say he fell head over heels in lust for her. He was a man who did not believe in love at first glance, but there was something there for her, a need so deep and powerful, he'd yet to describe exactly what it was.

  He had known instantly allowing another man to take the lead at Capture Inc. to play out Ariel's fantasy would never happen. A menage wasn't out of the question. But John had gone back on his own rule of never being involved, and an argument had ensued with Sean because of it. John had thrown caution to the wind, and the idea of being with her was exhilarating.

  Circling the last fur-covered cuff on her ankle, John then locked it. He watched her, taking every detail about her in, storing it into his memory. The stripping of her clothes had been pure torture. Out of respect for her and the fact that she was unconscious, he'd done his best not to stare at her naked body. It was one of the hardest things, withholding the need to touch her by a mere thread, but he'd managed.

  She continued to sleep. He placed a silky satin sheet over her nakedness, and a blindfold over her eyes. That in itself had been a tough decision, because he wanted her to know it was he who would be giving her the one thing she truly wanted.

  But would knowing it was him force her to tell him no?

  It was a chance John couldn't take, even though he knew she wanted this. Capture Inc.'s contract never stated who would exactly lead the fantasy, and he was glad for the fact. Though their lack of physical involvement was never stated in the legal paperwork, John and Sean had both agreed it was for the best. John knew it would place Sean in a difficult position, but it wouldn't deter him.

  She was meant to be his.

  Seeing Ariel displayed like this in front of him, the curves of her body outlined under the sheet, her sweet aroma filling the room, made him want to pounce on her, yet it reassured him he was making the right decision. Call it crazy, call it infatuation or even lust, he needed to be involved with her more than he wanted his next breath.

  John would have her.

  "She'll wake soon."

  John turned at the sound of his brother's voice, shocked that he was here in his bedroom. He caught the hint of surliness in Sean's tone. “Soon enough,” John whispered. Perhaps it had been an error sending an e-mail to his brother indicating his plans for Ariel. “How did you know I'd bring her here?"

  "Your e-mails always have detailed locations, and who would serve as backup if anything ever went wrong?” Sean replied. “The one you sent me this morning contained no such thing, other than the fact you were handling Ariel's case. This isn't one of your best ideas."

  John had enough with the skepticism. “What are you hesitant about?"

  Their brotherly relationship had always been up front, each telling the other how it was with no bullshit between them. So John had to wonder what in the hell was bothering Sean now.

  "You've never been involved. It's a rule we have in place for numerous very good reasons. Coupled with the fact that this is your home, and she is tied to your bed. Don't you find it worrisome in the least?"

  John gave a nod, acknowledging the truth in Sean's statement. It was for business purposes that he and Sean weren't ever involved directly. The legal and personal consequences of sexual involvement with an applicant could be disastrous. He couldn't explain why he'd chosen to bring her to his home for her fantasy. He'd never done such a thing before, and he realized he was riding on his emotions, letting them lead the way. It wasn't something he ever did, but the day she'd walked into his office, John had known he wanted to control every aspect of her fantasy. “She's different.” And she was, unlike anyone he'd ever seen.

  "The outcome could destroy us both."

  John fisted his hands. “It's a chance I'm willing to take."

  Sean narrowed his eyes angrily. “In deciding this, did you ever consider someone other than yourself? What if it's a chance I'm not willing to take? What if she finds out it's you, and this all backfires? There isn't a clause in our contract for this. We could lose everything we've ever worked for."

  The truth in his brother's words unsettled John. But no way in hell would he back down now. His desire for her burned his blood. “I have taken weeks to think about this, turned over every scenario in my head, and pictured everything down to the last detail. This is not your decision to make. I'm not going in blind here. She is different,” he emphasized once more. “I'm moving forward with this, with or without your approval."

  Sean shook his head and made his way to the door. “The only thing you know about her is what our background check and psychologist have revealed. Think really hard about the mistake your making. Let's just hope, Brother, this doesn't end up blowing up in your face, and as a result, we fucking lose it all."

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  Chapter Five

  "She'll wake soon."

  It took every measure of control Ariel possessed to remain still and make sure her breathing remained even as she heard the conversation between John and Sean. Clearly by the way they spoke, they hadn't figured out she was already awake. The second she had lifted her lids and felt the blindfold surrounding her eyes, she had heard their voices. She'd immediately recognized John's voice, but strangely enough it reassured and pleased her to no bounds knowing it was him. The exchange between John and Sean was way too intense. Even though she couldn't stop thinking about him, she would have never guessed he would be involved, let alone that she'd end up tied to his bed.

  "She's different.” John's sexy, deep voice filled the room, and she caught an edge of steel to his tone. It warmed her that he saw her as unique, and for a second she indulged in the idea that this scheduled interlude was more than what it was.

  What if she had died without ever savoring something like this, and more importantly without ever meeting John? Taking the bull by the horns was the right thing to do, and steering her life to where she wanted to go would make her relish every moment of it.

  "The outcome could be disastrous.” But her reaction to Sean's words were similar to having a bucket of cold water dumped on her face. Frigid and appalling. She'd be fine if she continued looking at this as a fantasy and nothing more.

  She couldn't blame Sean for his doubts. John knew a lot about her, but Sean was correct. He only knew what was written on paper. She heard the door close and knew Sean was gone.

  God, she'd dreamed of John these past few weeks, envisioned it was him seducing her, fucking her, taking her to heights she had never known. But the reality of it was shocking. The fact that he was here, seconds from beginning her fantasy, surprised her. Just hours ago, she had been preparing herself mentally, convinced that her dream would never happen.

  Ariel bit back a gasp as she felt the bed dip downward and then the heat of John's body near her. He brushed his lips against her cheek, and once again she found herself concentrating on remaining lax, hoping she gave no hint that she was truly awake.

  "Ariel, it's time to wake up."

  His warm breath brushed over her skin. She wanted nothing more than to turn her head and press her lips against his. To show him how much she wanted this only with him. Analyzing it further, she realized he had a powerful effect on her, and it began the very day she'd walked into his office. And though he was giving her the very thing she wanted, every minute she spent with him would make it even harder to walk away, pretending all she had wanted was her fantasy.

  He brushed his lips against her cheek and whispered in her ear, “Wake up."

  She moaned, tossed her head to the side, playing the part of being roused, and opened her eyes. She tilted her face to the side where he'd kissed her, and parted her lips. “Who are you?” She stilled, tightening what seemed like every bone in her body, and hoped to hell she was a good actress.

  "Before your fear settles in, this is your fantasy come to life. I'm from Capture Inc. But that's all you'll need to know, because from now on, you're completely in my hands. I'm in charge.” His minty breath teased her, and she wanted nothing more than to lean in and
beg him to take her. She reined the thought in. Her fantasy was right in front of her, in more ways than she could have ever imagined, but remembering this was simply physical was the smart thing to do. But if she had a choice, she'd beg John to remove the blindfold. She wanted to look into his eyes while he fucked her.

  "This is important, Ariel. If there are any doubts in your head, voice them now. I'll untie you, and you can simply walk out. But that will be your only out. Once you decide to continue with this, we'll see this all the way through. You will not be harmed in any way. Do you understand what I'm saying to you?"

  He wouldn't harm her. She knew that with every bone in her body. And even though he'd stated he had no intentions of releasing her once they began, she suspected that minutes from now or even hours, if she asked him to let her go, he would. And that endeared him to her even more. “Yes...yes, I do."

  "What is your answer then?"

  "Let's proceed."

  She felt him move from the bed, and she held her breath, waiting, anticipating what his next step would be. He slid the sheet from her body, and she clenched her stomach nervously. She heard nothing but sensed him near her. A brush of fingertips along her leg caused her to tighten her muscles, and she bit back a gasp. He untied one ankle and lifted her foot, placing it on his chest. “How long has it been since you've had a lover, Ariel?"

  He growled the words almost forcefully, as if the thought of her in someone else's arms angered him. Of course, she'd probably imagined the severity of his tone, but she couldn't respond for the life of her. At this moment, she couldn't remember, simply because he was shirtless, and even though it was just her foot pressed against his chest, the heat of his flesh sent tingles to her clit. She bit back a moan and forced away the need to beg him.

  She felt him place her leg down, and he slowly began to trace her leg with his fingers. With just a few touches, she realized she was panting and fired up, ready for him. He inched closer to her pussy, slowly dragging his fingers across her skin. She was already wet, and she moaned at the sheer sexy wickedness of being tied up under John's mercy. She held her breath as he arrived at her cunt and touched the outer area of her pussy with his finger.