If I could've closed the club down a second time, I would have. But it was Friday night, and the weekend brought in a lot of high-rolling clientele.

I sat behind my desk, my focus on the stainless steel in front of me. Jana was due to be here any minute, and as much as I was good at hiding my emotions and keeping myself in check, I anticipated this like a motherfucker.

I anticipated seeing her.

There was a light knock on my door, and I sat up straighter. “Come in,” I called out. When the door was opened, disappointment slammed into me when I saw it was just Ruby, one of the dancers.

She came in, closed the door behind her, and instantly got this seductive smile on her face. Ruby had been hinting pretty strongly that she wanted more from me than just the employee and employer relationship.

She wanted to ride my cock, to get really fucking skanky with me, despite the fact I showed no interest and had told her plenty of fucking times nothing would ever happen between us.

I wasn't down for that.

If I needed release, I jerked off.

I focused on the task at hand, on my business. But with Jana … that was something totally different.

She was different and I craved that. I needed that.

I didn't need to spend an extended period of time with her to know that she was mine, that she'd only be mine.

I wanted her and I'd have her. And soon she’d realize that.

“Your appointment is here, sir.”

“See her in.” I didn't bother making eye contact with Ruby. Because Poppy was off for the day, Ruby handled the employee relations’ side of the business.

As the seconds moved by she refused to leave my office. “Ruby, send her in now, please.” She continued to stare at me, this smirk on her face. She walked over to my desk, ran her fingers along the top, and batted her lashes at me.

“I was wondering if I could speak with you later tonight about picking up more shifts?” She walked around my desk, closer to me.

“You know you have to speak with Hillary about any schedule changes.” I looked her right in the eye, my irritation that she was still here growing.

“I know, but I thought if I spoke with you directly, maybe you'd be more inclined to help me out.”

She didn't need to elaborate for me to understand what she was saying. Her wanting to speak to me about the schedule had nothing to do with her picking up more shifts and everything to do with fucking me.

I’d give Ruby the cold hard truth if that’s what she wanted.

Moving around the desk, I stopped a few inches from her. She craned her neck back to look into my face. I could see by her expression she thought there was something more about to happen.

“Ruby, you're a sweet girl, but there will never be anything between us.” I looked her directly in the eyes, hoping she was smart enough to just walk away.

Her continuing to try and make something work with me was starting to reach a level of desperation. My mind was already consumed with Jana, and nothing and no one would make me deviate from getting what I wanted.

She continued to give me that “fuck me” smile. I had all thoughts on Jana. I sure as fuck didn’t want the object of my desire to walk in on Ruby attempting to touch me. I sure as fuck didn’t want Jana thinking there was something between us. I’d already made my mind up that Jana was all I wanted.

“Ruby, send Jana in or you’ll find yourself without a job.” Her smile faded, her eyes widening after I spoke.

“What?” she said the word softly.

“I’ve told you plenty of times there will never be anything between us, but fuck if you seem to get that through your head.” She looked nervous as hell. Good. “Now, bring Jana in or you can get the fuck out and collect your last paycheck at the end of the week.”

I watched as she swallowed, then pursed her lips, maybe annoyance or embarrassment filling her, making her want to lash out.

“Yes, sir.” After second she turned and left, and I leaned against my desk staring at the partially opened door, waiting for the woman of my obsession to walk through.

My dick was hard, pressing against the fly of my slacks. The bastard wanted out, wanted to see how warm and wet Jana really was.

The door to my office finally opened, and she walked inside. My cock jerked in response, and I knew if I didn't control myself, the front of my pants would have a wet spot from my need.

“Please shut the door.” I liked how she did what I said instantly, that obedience having my arousal climbing higher.

She was wearing these black leggings and this nearly sheer top. The shirt underneath was cut low, letting me to see her cleavage. She was small, tiny. Her breasts were probably just a handful, not like the girls who worked at the club with their silicone-filled chests.

But in all honesty I preferred the way Jana looked to the way the others did. Jana was all natural, her curves subtle, feminine. She was a ballerina down to her marrow.

I stood, my frame towering over hers, and gestured for her to take a seat. I moved around my desk and sat, watching as she came forward and finally did the same.

For a long moment all I did was watch her, taking in her reaction to me, how she reacted to the way the silence stretched between us. She was nervous, and I had a feeling it had nothing to do with the job we would be discussing, but more that she was in my presence. I also couldn't lie and say that knowledge didn't turn me on more. It made me fiend for her, like she was my drug of choice.

She is.

“I'll get right to the point, Jana.” She licked her lips, her little pink tongue sliding along the bottom before moving to the top. I tried to discreetly reach down to adjust my dick, the fucker huge and jerking from my arousal.

“Okay,” she said softly.

“I want to hire you, but not to be a dancer in the club.”

Her delicately shaped brows dipped low, her confusion clear on her face. “I'm not sure I understand, Mr. Savage.”

Even though I loved hearing her be formal with me, I wanted her to say my given name.

“It's Cole. Call me Cole from now on.” I may have said that a little harder than I needed to, but right now I felt more primal, more demanding than normal. Hell, if I could just go all caveman on her, throw her over my shoulder, and take her back to my place to show her how a real man took care of a woman, I'd do just that.

She finally nodded and licked her lips again, her eyes wider, the air around her seeming tense.

“I'm hiring you—or more so offering you the position—of being my personal assistant.” Truth was I didn't need a personal assistant. I had people who answered phones for me, who filed paperwork, who did the computer-work bullshit. I just didn't want her dancing in front of men, but I also wanted her close to me.

She didn't respond right away, just continued to watch me, maybe processing what I just said.

“I didn't know there was a personal assistant position available.”

I wasn't going to lie to her. “There's not.”

Her brows furrowed again.

I leaned forward and braced my forearms on the desk. “I won't fuck around here, Jana. I'm hiring you as a personal assistant because I don't want you dancing in front of men. Not just at my club, but stripping at any establishment.”

Her chest was rising and falling faster, harder, and her breasts pressed against the thin material of her shirt. “And why don’t you want me stripping?” She asked the question so softly, maybe unsure if she really wanted to hear the answer.

I tightened my jaw, clinched my hands into fists, and took a deep breath. “Because I don't want anyone else looking at you. I don't want you taking your clothes off for any asshole.” Anyone but me, that is. “I don't want you stripping because I want you as mine.”