Bound (Forbidden Series - Book 1) by Melody Anne Read Free Book Online Page A

driving off, and the noise of the engine gradually fading away. She was now all alone with the man who’d control her life for the next week.
                  Yes, fear lurked just underneath her skin, but she was surprised to feel some stirrings of excitement — something she wasn’t at all willing to analyze. She didn’t want to be with this man, didn’t want his hands on her, didn’t want to pretend they were a couple.
                  But she didn’t find him repulsive.
                  That scared her more than anything else about this adventure. She’d been told over and over again not to grow attached to any of her clients. She was to treat them like royalty, give them absolutely everything, but she was never to even begin to fantasize in the smallest way that any one of them was anything more than client and master.
                  The men who engaged her services wanted a lot from her, but she wasn’t expected to want or need a single thing in return — other than their money. That was the life she was choosing, and it was the life she’d accepted.
                  “Good afternoon, Jewell.”
                  “Hello, Mr. Knight,” she replied softly — this time she wouldn’t have the excuse of shock for not answering him right away.
                  “Are you happy to be here?”
                  What a strange question , she thought. Of course she wasn’t happy to be there.
                  “Yes. I find it quite a compliment that you chose me,” she said instead.
                  His lips turned up in a sardonic smile as she did her best to look into his eyes, or really the lenses of his shades. It bothered her that he could see every little nuance of her expression, while he was able to keep himself hidden.
                  “No. You aren’t thrilled to be here, but by the end of this week, you’ll be begging me not to let you go. I assure you that our time will be well spent, though it will end.”
                  She wanted to snap back, wanted to fire away and make a dent in his armor, but she wasn’t allowed to do so. She was supposed to stroke his ego. That was her job.
                  “I assure you that there’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now, and though I’m sure it will be a disappointment for me when our time ends, I will respect your wishes.”
                  “Did you memorize that speech from a learners’ manual?” He tilted his head as if trying to read her, trying to solve a puzzle and not quite sure how.
                  “Of course not, Mr. Knight. I find you very handsome.”
                  “Then prove to me that you’re happy I chose you,” he ordered her, his voice suddenly severe.
                  She had no doubt that he was testing her, and if he didn’t like what she did next, he might send her back. She almost wanted that to happen. Then, when she didn’t manage to sell her body to save her brother, it wouldn’t be because she hadn’t tried; it would be because she’d been rejected.
                  As soon as she had that thought, she felt guilt eat away at her. Justin needed her, and she’d be there for him even if she hated herself. Her brother would never need to know what she’d had to do, and she’d have to learn to forgive herself for her sins.
                  “How would you like me to prove myself to you?” She hoped she was making her voice sufficiently sexy.
                  “Be creative,” he said, still leaning against the sleek car.
                  Hesitating only another second, Jewell stepped forward and allowed her breasts to brush lightly against the smooth material of his jacket. That small contact made her nipples instantly hard, and her breath hitched. Maybe she wouldn’t