herself upright. Her muscles trembled with desire. He’d cast a sensual spell on her and she couldn’t break free of its hold. “I’m usually good at this. Getting to know someone. Wooing. Seduction. You affect me, make me clumsy like a virginal schoolboy. I have to know. Are you a submissive?” She managed to whisper one word. “Yes.” “Have dinner with me.” Dinner? That was the last thing she’d expected. “I can’t.” “Why not?” He stroked the skin of her hand. A light caress, barely there, yet she teetered on the edge of orgasm. “I don’t date men I’ve just met.” “Stupid rule.” She hadn’t thought so until now. But she wouldn’t change her rules. She didn’t know anything about Joshua. He could be a psycho or an abusive Dom who preyed on vulnerable submissives. No sane man would corner a strange woman. Gathering all the strength in her soul, she shoved aside her desire and steeled her spine before stepping into the hall. “Goodbye, Joshua Quinn.” She refused to turn back as she marched out. One look at his handsome face and she’d do something foolish. She needed to put the strange, arousing, erotic encounter behind her. Deep down she knew her dreams would be haunted by a green-eyed stranger bringing her to orgasm.
Joshua watched Ruby hurry toward the exit. He raked a shaky hand through his hair and let out a whoosh of air. His cock hammered, begged for release. “Jesus. Fuck.” He pounded a fist against the wall. He’d acted like an inexperienced jerk instead of an experienced Dominant. The moment he’d spotted Ruby, Joshua had been captivated. Then she’d looked into his eyes and his cock had stiffened. He’d watched her reactions—her wet lips parting with desire and her tits swelling. The pure joy and desire as she watched the burlesque performance. Just thinking about it made his cock jerk. There had been no doubt in his mind—she was definitely a submissive. So he’d come here and acted like a creepy idiot, practically forced information from her and made her run for the hills. He’d gone against every BDSM code. Poor woman probably had him labeled a stalker. But she’d been attracted to him. He could tell from the ragged breath and dilated pupils. Beneath the fear lay a heavy dose of attraction. When he’d told her to stop, her arousal had ratcheted to a boiling point. He’d had years of experience reading submissive reactions. Oh yes, the little kitten was definitely attracted to him. He smiled. He could work with that. Joshua dug into his pocket and pulled out his iPhone before hitting a contact on his Favorites menu. “Laurence, bring the car around. I’ll be out in five.” He clicked End, shoved the phone back in his pocket and grabbed his jacket. As he left the bathroom, Joshua nodded to a few associates who were leaving. He stalked through the stragglers searching for the host. Ruby’s scent lingered. He could taste it at the back of his throat. He needed to get his libido under control because he had a lot of work to do if he was going to find her. He spotted the guy who’d organized tonight and made a beeline for him. Thomas Patterson was a business associate and just the guy to give him the information he required. Joshua plastered on a smile. All he needed was the dancer’s details. Then he could find Ruby and seduce her to her knees.
Chapter Two
Ruby ticked off the final shipment on her inventory list and scratched her temple with a pencil. “Did those Joey W. Hill books come in?” Jamie nodded and pointed to a feature display. “Came in. Crossed off and ready for action.” She smiled. She could always count on Jamie. As she walked over to the promotion stand, Ruby glanced around her store. Everything in order. Pride filled her. It had taken years of hard slogging at jobs she hated to save up enough money for a business loan deposit. She’d gone to evening classes at the local business school to make sure her