Deeper [The Underground 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) Read Free Page B

dark circles that seemed to now be a permanent fixture on her face. She looked run-down. A sad fact, but one she could admit. The only redeeming quality was her eyes. The green was bright, and she always got complimented on them, but eyes weren’t going to woo any men into cutting her some slack and not taking her house.
    She opened her purse and rifled through it until she found her small makeup bag. She normally didn’t wear any, but if she was going to try and talk a man like Tate Wessen out of taking her family home, she needed to make herself look somewhat attractive. As it was she could have been cast as an extra in Night of the Living Dead . She applied a coat of mascara and some lip gloss called Peachy Peach and looked at herself once more in the mirror. It wasn’t a vast improvement, but it would have to do. Her outfit was another story, though. Sweats and a holey tee wouldn’t be winning any points with Mr. Wessen.

Chapter Four
     
    Sweat was already starting to accrue between Stella’s breasts and down her spine. Had she ever been this nervous? Hell. No. She had stopped at the casino first, trying to see Tate, but some slinky little blonde had informed her he wasn’t there, made a phone call and directed her to one of his other businesses. So here she was, ten minutes later, standing in a small waiting room of the Rabbit Hole, the club owned by him.
    She tried to find something sexy to wear, something that might appeal to a man like Tate, a man that dated stick-thin blondes with huge tits. Of course she had nothing of the sort and had settled for a sweater dress with leggings and a pair of flats. It certainly wasn’t an outfit that she saw herself seducing a man in, but the neckline was cut low and she opted out of a cami. If she bent over he would get a nice shot of her full, non-augmented B-cup-sized boobs. The dress was also snug and accented what few curves she had, which weren’t many, but she had do work with what she had.
    She paced the room, her temperature rising as the seconds ticked by. Several times she glanced at the door, the metal one that was being guarded by yet another burly-ass man. The longer she stayed in this room the more she wanted to flee. She took a step forward, but before she could go any further she heard a door open.
    “Miss Vincent, what a pleasant surprise.” She turned and saw Tate. He stood in the doorway, the three-piece suit he wore not hiding his raw body and muscular frame. “And four days sooner than I expected, too.” He stepped aside and gestured for her to enter.
    Stella gripped the strap of her purse tighter and stepped into his office. The door shut behind her and she was acutely aware that they were alone. She had never been to this club before and found it just as exquisite as all the reviews claimed. A heartbeat passed with neither of them saying anything, and then she heard Tate clear his throat. He walked by her and sat behind his desk. He gestured to the seat for her to take and she felt like she had three days ago, sitting in front of his desk while he told her she was about to lose everything.
    “So, Miss Vincent, what can I do for you?” His fingers were steepled in front of his face, his gaze penetrating. “Have you come up with the money in only three days? I’m impressed.”
    Mouth gone dry, Stella couldn’t form any words. When she decided this was what she was going to do, she hadn’t really thought it out thoroughly, she realized.
    “Miss Vincent?” One dark brow rose in challenge.
    She cleared her throat and shifted in the seat. “Um, Mr. Wessen…”
    “Tate, Stella. Call me Tate.” His voice was deep and held no room for argument.
    God, she could see why he got what he wanted. What he said was a command as much as it was a request. She opened her purse and pulled out the envelope that she had shoved the three grand in. It wasn’t nearly what she owed, but maybe he would take it as good faith? Yeah, that was wishful thinking to its