Chapter 5

• The firm but gentle command washed through her, causing a haze of confusion. Her eyes widened as her gaze found him; she rose, her legs shaky, and she rubbed her hands down her thighs in an attempt to steady herself. Then she took that first step and walked around his desk to where he was still seated in his executive chair. He reached for her hand, and once his fingers intertwined with hers, he dragged her down onto his lap. She landed clumsily, but he adjusted the chair to create more room for her, so she was nestled against his chest and tucked into his side.
• He went for her neck with his free hand and gently dragged her face so she was looking directly at him. Their eyes were matching, and their faces were just an inch away from each other. On the other hand, he held her back, pushing her closer to him.
• “The relationship I’m proposing is quite different,” he said. “I’ll not have you agree to it without knowing exactly where you stand and what you can expect from it.”
• “How awfully nice of you, Mason, to consider what I want,” she said dryly.
• He gave her hair a slight tug. “Little Tease.” They could feel each other’s breath now, and it just made their situation hotter. He stared into her eyes. He moved his hand upwards to her lips, where he traced the outline of her mouth with the tip of his index finger.
• “I want you, Lisa. And I’ll warn you. I’m very used to getting my way, and I always do.”
• “So, you want me to work for you and you want…me. Physically, I mean.”
• “Oh yes,” he murmured.”
• “And this relationship you propose. What exactly do you mean by different?”
• He hesitated for the briefest moment. “I’ll own you,” he said bluntly. “Body and soul, you’ll belong to me.”
• She paused, that sounded so…heavy. She couldn’t wrap her brain around it.
• “I’ll guide you through this,” he said gentler. “I’m not going to tell you all at once now. I’ll be patient as you learn through the kind of relationship I expect.”
• “I honestly don’t even know what to say right now,” she exclaimed. They were still at eye level, mouths just a few breaths apart.
• “I think this is where you tell me that you accept my proposal, Lisa,” Mason prompted. “I know you want me as badly as I want you?”
• Oh God, Is this for real? Did she have the courage to utter the words aloud? It was like staring over the brink of a building. You take a risk with the wind in your hair and the knowledge that one wrong step may send you flying. His lips brushed against her skin as his mouth drew closer, skimming over her jawline. He bit her earlobe, sending shivers up her spine.
• “Tell me what I want to know now Lisa, I am not such a patient man,” he commanded in a husky voice that whispered over the shell of her ear.
• “Y-yes,” she croaked.
• “Yes, what?”
• “Yes, I want you.” The admission escaped with a sigh from her lips. She couldn’t even look him in the eye.
• “Lisa, fucking look at me.” There was a calm authority in his voice that registered with her. Made her aware of his presence, of him as a man. And made her want him all the more. She turned her gaze on him and saw the desire in his eyes. He caught her hair then, tugging slightly as he delved his fingers into her hair, twisting the strands around his knuckles.
• “Before we go any further, I have a contract,” he said. “It outlines every arrangement involved in our proposed relationship. I want you to read over it very carefully this weekend and then I want your decision on Monday.”
• She was a bit startled that she didn’t immediately find words. “A contract? You want us to have a contract?”
• “It’s for your protection. And mine.” She shook her head in confusion.
• “I don’t even understand.”
• “My preferences are extreme, Lisa. Read the contract thoroughly. Then think about if you’re willing to commit to the kind of relationship I’m looking for.”
• “You’re serious?” She asked, still staring wide-eyed at him. He was probably pulling her legs, she thought. He’s such a joker.
• His brows furrowed, and he leaned in closer, tightening his arm around her waist to keep her from tumbling out of his lap. He took a hefty document from his desk drawer that had been paper-clipped together. He then tossed it onto her lap.
• “Take the weekend. Read over it. Make sure you understand it. I’d like your answer Monday morning. If you need clarification on anything, we can discuss them then.”
• “So that’s it then,” she said, still bewildered by everything. “I go home, read your contract, and then we meet on Monday to finalize the terms of our relationship?”
• His lips tightened, and he nodded. “In a nutshell, yes.”
• “You make it sound like a negotiation for one of your hotel or business deals,” she said.
• “This not a fucking negotiation,” he said a bit harshly. “Just remember that Lisa, read the contract. You either sign or don’t sign. But if you do, you’ll adhere to those terms.”
• She sucked in a deep breath, lifted the document from her lap, and slid from Mason’s lap.
• He picked up his phone. “I’ll have my driver arrange your ride here Monday morning, even if you do drive yourself there, you definitely won’t be able to drive back home when I’m done with you.”
• “You’re so sure of yourself,” she murmured.
• He smiled sheepishly, his eyes on her, fixed on her gaze. “The only thing I’m sure of is that I’ve waited entirely too damn long to have you.