Page 18 of X: Command Me through Alexander’s Eyes

“Does that make me Mrs. X for the day?” She claps a hand over her mouth, her eyes widening as she realizes what she said.

She doesn’t expect my reaction. I don’t either.

“I rather like the sound of that.” Too much, and I’m not sure why. I study her for a moment as if I might find the answer written across her face. Instead, I only see her nerves coupled with want, and for some reason, I need to reassure her, which is why I say the last thing I should. “Mrs. X. She sounds rather wicked.”

Her tongue darts over her lips, and I’m reminded of one of the many fantasies I’ve entertained about what she might do with that perfect mouth.

“Are you okay with that? With this arrangement, I mean.” I check myself before she gets the wrong idea and ignore that I seem to be getting the wrong idea myself.

This can only end one way.

With a number of mind-blowing orgasms over the course of a few days, a week, maybe longer. But whatever lines we cross, there’s one firm boundary I’ll make sure we both respect.

“I hadn’t expected...”

“A hotel?” I want to explain that it’s for the best. It’s harder to get attached to a temporary bed. A hotel offers an anonymity of heart that keeps things from getting complicated. It’s why I didn’t go home with her last night. It’s why I didn’t see her to the door. We’re here for one reason. A hotel is a reminder of what that is.

It’s also protection against the paparazzi that are still stalking her flat. I don’t want her to have to fend them off. That’s my burden, and one she doesn’t need to bear.

“Yes.” She doesn’t meet my eyes, and I realize she’s trembling.

I don’t know if I’ve upset her or scared her or if it’s just nerves, but I need to. Taking her chin in my hands, I direct her gaze to mine and nearly lose myself in the gray ocean of her eyes. “I wanted to be certain that no one found out about this.”

Clara wrenches away from me, turning toward the doors like she’s hoping they’ll open. What then? What did I say?

“What is it?” I press closer, afraid that the lift will reach its destinations and I’ll finally lose her. “Why are you looking like I’ve got you in a corner?”

“I have a little self-respect, you know.” She glares at me, and I try to keep my eyes on her face even as her nipples bead under her dress. Is she responding because she’s angry? Because that’s…fucking hot. My cock notices, too, and I shift my feet, trying to give it room in my slacks. “If you’re worried about being seen with me, perhaps it’s best that you let me off.”

“I can’t.” I’m suddenly glad I chose this hotel and its private lift.

She crosses her arms, covering the proof of her arousal. “Try.”

“This lift only goes to the Presidential Suite. I can’t let you off until we reach it, but...” I press the red button she’d eyed a moment ago, calling her bluff. The lift shudders to a stop and she stumbles against me. “I think you’ve misunderstood me, and I’m not interested in taking a woman to bed who thinks I’m a liar.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“With pleasure.” If I have to spend the rest of the afternoon convincing her in this lift, then she’ll find I can be quite persuasive. “I was under the impression you wanted the paparazzi to leave you alone.”

I pause and let this sink in. Clara shrugs her thin shoulders, unwilling to concede that she had wanted that only yesterday. Now I know one more thing: my girl is stubborn.

“I wanted to respect your desire for privacy,” I push. “By now, you’ll have done your research on me.”

She nods. Clara might not have known who I was when we first met, but that won’t be the case anymore. I have no doubt that we’ve both done our research. But while my intel is based on fact, I imagine what she’s read about me is a little more colorful.

“Reporters love to take photos of me with women and speculate on our relationships. Old friends become new flames. Waitresses become flings.”

“So you didn’t sleep with all those women?” she asks.

I bite back a smile. There’s no need to lie. “Not all of them.”

“Lovely.”

“I believe you told me that you weren’t a hapless virgin.” She wants to run, but I won’t let her. I back her against the wall and cage her between my arms. I won’t force her to do something she doesn’t want to do, but I will make her listen. “I assume we can be open about our sex lives.”

“We can.”

“Good, because I want you to be open with me, Clara. I’ll have you either way, but you’ll enjoy it more if you aren’t busy thinking I’m a dick.”