Page 37 of Illicit Education

Clever.

“This is my newest hire,” Mina continued. “She’ll be taking care of the shop upstairs while Laurel is on maternity leave.” Mina patted my shoulder.

Mybareshoulder.

Oh

No

My tits were pushed up to my clavicle, thanks to this freaking corset Greer made me put on, and the C. E.motherfuckingO. of Reed Publishing stood behind me, waiting for me to turn around.

I bit back a laugh as my nerves twisted like a tornado in my gut and a giggle tried to bubble its way up my throat.

“Rylan?” Mina nudged.

Shit.

I couldn’t just stare at the table forever, could I? Giving my head a subtle shake, I braced myself and turned slowly around in my seat–

Oh, sweet baby Jesus, he was shirtless.

Shirtless!

And I was eye-level with ridges of toned abs and a dark dusting of hair that spread up from the waist of his low-slung dark jeans to the defined chest above.

Losing my battle with self-control, I barked out a nervous laugh, then quickly covered my mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” I squeezed my eyes shut as my blood heated to boiling and embarrassment probably turned my chest and cheeks ten shades of red.

Not that anyone could see it in this dark fetish club.

Oh God.I was in a fetish club with Cabot Reed.

I laughed again and squeezed my eyes shut.

“Not the effect I usually have on women,” Mr. Reed said, the sound of his voice an actualphysicalsensation in my body.

The man needed to stop talking.

And get some damn clothes on.

And wash that freaking cologne off!

A girl could only take so much.

What had I done in a past life to deserve this kind of torture?

With a deep breath–bad idea!–I tilted my head back and opened my eyes to look up at him.

A black leather hood and mask covered everything but his eyes and lips. Yet, even masked, Cabot Reed’s dark gaze was unmistakable.

That familiar, amused glimmer in his eyes told me he was enjoying every second of my discomfort. He ran his tongue slowly across the seam of his lips, then his gaze dropped to my chest and his lips parted in surprise.

Ha! Now who’s the cocky one?

His eyes met mine again and my victory was short-lived. He looked like he might devour me on the spot.

And I wanted him to.

And that was it, folks, all she wrote.