Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
But then, my family comes to mind, and my shoulders slump. Of course, the Matthews have expectations of me, not to mention rigid ideas about the kind of girl suitable for their son. But at the moment, they’re not here, and out of mind, out of sight. I’m not going to let them ruin my date with Petunia because ultimately, they don’t matter. I’m an alpha male who makes his own decisions, and the Matthews are just going to have to live with that.
The boat pushes off from the dock, and Petunia positions herself at the rail, watching the lapping waves with delight.
“I thought I might feel seasick, but I’m actually totally fine,” she murmurs.
I hand her a mimosa and then sling a heavy arm around her waist.
“Give it a few minutes before you decide,” I chuckle. “Oh, and there’s no alcohol in this cocktail because we’re going virgin for the ride, in case of upset stomachs,” I wink.
She giggles.
“I’ll be fine! At the very least, you should drink.”
I shake my head, merely lifting my champagne glass to toast hers.
“No, it’s fine. I wouldn’t make my guests go virgin while guzzling a ton of alcohol myself. Enjoy, sweet girl. I want you to have a good time.”
Petunia nuzzles against me, loving and warm as her curvy form presses against my hard chest.
“I already am, Mr. Matthews. Thank you for inviting me.”
But then, I frown because there is a topic that I wanted to discuss. My chest tightens with anxiety, but I force myself to stay calm as the boat glides through the water.
“So how did come upon Sanctum?” I ask in a casual voice. “Do you have a friend who referred you to the organization?”
Petunia shakes her head, suspecting nothing.
“Oh no. I was between jobs for a little while a couple years ago, and I heard about the club through some girls that I know. It’s crazy, but I applied, just as if it were any other normal job. I guess they need to do background checks and all that, but I was hired once they made clear what my duties entailed, and it’s been full speed ever since.”
I nod.
“And do you like it?” I manage in a neutral tone.
Petunia thinks for a moment and then nods.
“I do,” she murmurs. “I enjoy pleasing men, and you know I don’t have hang-ups about what I do. Some girls struggle with that, so they don’t last long, but I never did.”
That admission makes my throat close up because I hate the thought of my Petunia entertaining other men. Honestly, my skin crawls just thinking about her giggling and bouncing around on another guy’s lap while letting him play with her perky breasts or pretty pussy. Worse, I detest the thought of some other dude penetrating that swollen sweetness when it belongs to me.
But Petunia giggles, sensing my jealousy, and rests a hand on my elbow before speaking in a soothing tone.
“Don’t worry, Nico. I haven’t been with any other men since that day at the pool, and I don’t plan to be either.”
I nod.
“Have you been working shifts at the club?”
The pretty brunette shakes her head.
“I told management that Key Largo is keeping me busy, so I wouldn’t be able to take any shifts for the time being. They were okay with it because there are so many girls coming and going at any given moment. They’re used to it.”
“Good,” I growl. “Because I don’t want you taking any shifts, sweetheart. At least, not while you’re with me, and I’m happy to pay you to make up for the opportunity cost.”
She giggles.
“You already pay me,” she says in an arch tone. “I work for you, remember?”
I shake my head.
“No, on top of what you make at Key Largo,” I clarify. “I’ll pay you to not take shifts at Sanctum, sweetheart, because I can’t stand the thought of another man enjoying your curves.”
Petunia bites her lip and sends me a delighted look.
“Possessive much?”
I growl, wrapping my brawny arms around her narrow waist.
“Possessive a lot,” I rasp into her ear. “This belongs to me, sweetheart, and no one else gets to touch it. Look, yes. But touch and fuck? No, absolutely not.”
She giggles before cooing.
“Don’t worry, no man will touch me while I’m with you, Mr. Matthews. But how did you end up joining Sanctum, if I may ask?”
I shrug. “When you’re a rich guy, these things have a way of finding you. The word on the grapevine is that Sanctum is the place to be, and one day, I got a call and that was that.”
She nods.
“No background check? No interview?”
I wave a hand.
“No, I went through all that, but it was no big deal. There’s only limited amounts you can find out about me, anyways. Billionaires have their ways,” I say in an oblique tone.