Remember when I told you that Malcolm was being picky about the women I was sending? Well, tonight that pickiness comes to an end.

If you’re wondering why I’m saying that, the answer is a simple one: tonight Malcolm has a date with me. Yeah, this is the first time I've ever agreed to go out with a client of my company, but what can I do? It’s not like I have any other option. If Malcolm doesn’t fall in love with anyone, the money I’ll owe him will be like a nail in my coffin. And then there are those fucking tapes … Yeah, if I don’t seduce Malcolm, my company is finished, and that, dear, will never happen under my watch. My company is my baby, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect it.

We’re meeting at Masa and I’m already late—20 minutes, to be precise. That’s on purpose, of course, but I bet you already knew that. You see, even though most of the girls I sent to meet Malcolm were high quality ones, I bet they fell under his spell the moment they saw him. I mean, it’s not like I can blame them—wealthy, handsome, and charming? Yeah, I had to fight hard not to fall under his spell as well. Thing is, I had my heart broken before, and I know exactly what kind of man Malcolm is.

I won’t be a fool again, and I have Ben to thank for that.

I spot Malcolm sitting at one of the tables in the dimly lit dining room, his back turned to me. Stopping for a few seconds, I watch him check his wristwatch, and only then do I approach him.

“You’re late,” Malcolm tells me, raising his eyes to meet mine, an easy smile on his lips as I sit across from him. “I thought you were the consummate professional.”

“I am a professional, you’re right about that,” I start, smiling back at him. He’s wearing a Tom Ford suit, and God he looks amazing. Why does a man like him even need my services? Just look at those lips… they were made for kissing, and I can’t help but wonder what else they were made for. Okay, okay, I know … I have to take my mind out of the gutter right now. I need to keep my focus. “But I’m not here on work, am I?”

“Depends on how you look at it, doesn’t it? I’m surprised, though. I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Of course,” I merely say, grabbing the empty cup in front of me and raising it slightly. Malcolm grabs the bottle of sake and tilts it toward me, the fermented rice drink dropping smoothly into the glass. “I thought you’d enjoy the surprise.”

“And you were right.”

You see, Malcolm had no idea that I’d be the one showing up today. All he knew was that my company had booked a dinner date for him at Masa; he had no idea which woman he’d be meeting today.

“Are you that desperate you have to go out with me?” he continues, his jab a well placed one. I knew that, by coming here, Malcolm’s guard would be up, but I came prepared for it. “Desperate? I’m just curious,” I reply with a grin, taking a sip out of my sake while I keep my eyes trained on him. “My girls tell me you’re insufferable.”

“Oh, really? They didn’t behave like it, you know?” He doesn’t waste any time thinking of his replies, and I can’t help but allow a smile to take over my lips as I realize that Malcolm is a quick-witted man. I like men who are more than just a pretty face, you know?

“Women know how to hide their true feelings. But I see what they meant now… You’re too full of yourself, aren’t you?” My question could be a rhetorical one; the moment I saw him walk into my office, I knew he had an ego big enough to fill a ballroom.

“Maybe, I guess,” he tells me with a shrug, and this time he catches me off-guard. Is he really admitting it?

“Are you trying to play the humble card with me, Malcolm? Because I’m not the kind of girl that falls for that.” This time I decide to play defensively, test how thick the ice is before I put both of my feet on it.

“The humble card? I don’t even know what the hell that is, Athena,” he tells me, that innocent expression on his face. “I know I can be quite the asshole sometimes, but I don’t apologize for who I am.”

Jesus Christ, is he opening up to me? Or is this how he usually gets inside a woman’s panties? Careful, Athena, I hear a whisper echoing inside my head, and I have to resist the urge to bite down on my lower lip.

“I’m not in the habit of apologizing for who I am, either. So that’s something we have in common,” I tell him, and this time I really mean it. Running the tip of my tongue between my lips, I try and remind myself that I have to keep my guard up—men like Malcolm are dangerous. Very dangerous.

“And we both would like to see each other’s naked body, so that’s another thing we have in common,” he tells me, so casually that he could be commenting on the weather. I was taking a sip of my sake, and I’m so surprised by his words that I almost spit it all out.

“Who says I want to see you naked?” I ask him, trying to keep a poised posture, and that while my heart pounds hard against my chest. The moment the words naked body fell from his lips, I couldn’t help but imagine him undressing in front of me, revealing his cut muscles and perfect body… I imagined my fingers going for his boxer briefs, pulling them down and revealing his large cock and—sweet mercy, it’s hot in here all of a sudden.

“You told me. The moment I stepped foot inside your office, your eyes told me all about it… There’s no shame in it, Athena,” he smiles smugly, finishing his sake and refilling his cup.

“Maybe I’m just curious,” I try to feign his jabs, but I’m a mess right now. My pussy is growing wet with each passing second, and that image of his naked body simply refuses to leave my mind. C’mon, Athena, focus!

“Maybe … but, just like I said,” he continues, lowering his voice and smiling, “I’m curious as well.”

I’m about to answer when the waiter comes to our table, notepad in one hand and pen in the other.

“Have you decided on what you’ll be having for the night?” The young waiter asks us, and I realize that yes, I’ve already decided what I’ll be having tonight.

And it’s not sushi—that much I can tell you.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry,” I tell the young guy waiting on us, but my eyes never leave Malcolm’s.

“Me neither,” Malcolm whispers, standing up and dismissing the waiter with a quick nod. “Let’s get out of here,” he tells me, his words dripping anticipation. I simply nod at him, and my eyes wander down to his crotch, my imagination already working hard as it tries to decipher what kind of tool Malcolm hides under his pants.

“Let’s,” I repeat after him, and I realize that my voice is even more loaded than his with anticipation.

What the hell am I doing?