Anything He Wants 2: All's Fair Read Online Free Page A

Every
amenity I could think of, and several I’d never have considered, was provided
free of charge. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I saw the bathroom
with its tall ceilings and mirrors, marble tabletops and floors, and a tub almost
as big as a Jacuzzi sitting in the middle. My host had time to point out the
closet of linens and robes before I shooed him out as politely as possible and
drawn myself a bubble bath. I chose a Lavender scent
from the bath oils before stripping out of my work clothes, grabbing a robe and
locking the door.
    I allowed
myself to enjoy the warmth and mellow scent of the water for a while before
setting about with actual bathing. Using my toes to fiddle with the hot water
knob kept the bath water warm as I thoroughly scrubbed my skin. I took my time
but eventually my wrinkled hands convinced me to leave the bath, the bubbles
only a white film atop the water. Slipping into the robe and wrapping my hair
in a towel, I poked around the countertops and drawers to see what other
treasures were hidden in the bathroom.
    Three
sharps raps against the locked door made me jump in surprise. “I’d like to see
you out here.” Jeremiah’s deep voice carried through the thick wooden door, his
words a command that was expected to be obeyed.
    I froze,
the tension I’d managed to wash away earlier now back with a vengeance. A quick
glance around the ornate room made me realize with dawning horror that I had no
clothes besides the robe and towel; I’d left them on the bed outside the bathroom
now occupied by my boss.
    Swallowing,
I took a look at myself in the mirror. My face was scrubbed of all make-up,
shiny and clean but naked without my usual mask. Underneath the towel wrapped
haphazardly around my head, my hair was a mess and still too wet to brush.
    I
can't let him see me like this, he’ll kick me out of
this hotel!
    I hastily
pulled the towel off my head and called out, “Just a minute” so he wouldn't
think I was ignoring him. Why do you care what he thinks , a rational
side of my brain tried to ask as I fumbled with my wet hair and smoothed out
eyebrows that desperately needed a brow pencil. Don’t
you want to stay away from him anyway?
    Maybe,
but I'd at least like to look decent when I'm walking away.
    Tousling my
longish hair into some semblance of order and straightening my robe, making
sure the belt was tied snug, I walked over to the door. Pausing for a moment, I
gave myself one last look in the mirror - seriously,
you're never this vain! - before unlocking the
door and striding out.
    Jeremiah
stood across the bedroom beside a small silver cart with domed dishes. The
faint aroma of food wafted to my nose, making my mouth water. He looked up as I
approached, his eyes taking in my robe and wet hair. “How did you like your
bath?”
    I
resisted the sudden urge to gush, shrugging one shoulder. “Not quite what I’m
used to.”
    His
steady gaze made me want to fidget as though caught in a lie and it took a
great deal of self-control to keep myself still. He turned to push the cart
toward the table and suddenly I could breathe again. Stop letting him get to
you like that. My responses to him were silly but I couldn’t help feeling
threatened, as if he was subtly stalking me.
    “I have
something for you.”
    That got
my attention. “Breakfast?” I asked, my eyes falling to
the dishes beside him. My tummy rumbled in anticipation.
    “In
a moment, perhaps.” He straightened and looked me dead in the eye. “Take off
your robe and come here.”
    Everything
inside me went cold. I hugged the robe around me, trying to stave off the
inevitable. “Why?”
    He said
nothing, and I looked up to see him watching me. There was no emotion in his
gaze; as far as he was concerned, I was to disrobe and go to him merely because
he said so. Because I’d signed a document saying I would do what he said,
something I’d only done because he had given me no other choice. The glittery
trappings around