Read Online Bound to You by Shawntelle Madison - Free Book Online

end of the riding whip into her palm as I put on my gown.
    “Why don’t you borrow it before I give it back to him?” I asked. If a hot dress would get that poor girl out of a studying stupor, I was game.
    “And go where?” She gave a dry laugh. “A dress like that needs man candy, and right now I’m supposed to be on a dick diet.”
    I rolled my eyes. Books wouldn’t relieve her stress. I knew that for sure.
    Now that my dress was on, there wasn’t much left to do. I discarded my leather cuffs and left them in my bedside drawer. This sleeveless gown wouldn’t hide my secrets. My fingers flew through my dark hair, teasing out the curls until they hung in loose waves to my shoulders. I already had my garters on and my stilettos were waiting for me by the door.
    Time to impress Mr. Quinn with my networking ninja prowess.
    With a final check in the mirror, I was ready to go. Not bad for a mad scramble. “And Lana,” I called after her as she left the room with my crop in hand, “punishment comes first, then reward.”
    She snorted. “Now I need to find someone to punish.”
    By the time I got into the Bentley, I was a bit winded. I felt a bit awkward leaving my place in something so formal. Once I got settled into the seat, though, everything slid into place. I was Sophie Ashton wearing a couture gown on the way to the opera. Just another day on the job.
    “You’re early,” I remarked, keeping my gaze away from him. He looked so good it hurt my eyes. His short-cropped hair had been styled to perfection, and his finely tailored clothes and dignified air made me believe for a moment that he was my date.
    “I wanted us to discuss any last-minute details over drinks.” His deep voice was honey to my ears. I couldn’t miss the way he glanced over me with appreciation. Before I could open my mouth, he added, “You keep skipping meals, so I wanted to make sure you were taken care of, Miss Ashton.”
    A protest right now seemed appropriate, but we were already dressed and ready for the opera. The space I kept between us though didn’t seem like it was enough. To keep myself occupied, and my mind on business, I went over scenarios with Xavier on how to interact with Watanabe and the best people for him to impress. My mouth kept moving, but Xavier’s heated gaze made it hard for me to focus.
    By the time we were on our way downtown to the opera house, my skin hummed again and I couldn’t sit still in the seat. Again and again I reminded myself he’d be gone in a few weeks. This hunger that made my breath catch and my body tremble would go away. This was nothing more than an attraction I had to get past.
    That became easier said than done when he finally spoke. “You look breathtaking right now. You’ll be a great asset tonight. I know people, but there are many social circles here in Boston and you know them better than me.”
    So all the time I spent securing a proper dress had been for the benefit of attracting attention and not because he liked how I looked. I shoved that thought aside and focused on the obvious: at least he knew my strengths very well.
    “All we’re doing is the benefit and then I need to go home,” I said.
    “Naturally.” His grin said otherwise.
    Breathtaking,
he’d said. I tried not to let myself react to the word. I’d done everything I could to make sure I looked my best. I touched my curls to make sure they were in place.
    “I’ve been wanting to do that all evening.” His fingers twitched.
    “
Do
my hair?” My lips pursed. “Now this is a new talent I didn’t know about.”
    He reached for me and stopped midway. A part of me screamed to me to lean toward him.
Don’t give him a foot because he’ll take a yard.
And yet, I wanted him to reach out and touch a tendril. I wanted him to take a fistful and pull my head back. If he asked me to comply, would I do it?
    “Have you ever seen the painting called
Water Serpents
?” he asked casually.
    I shook my head. “The name