His by Brenda Rothert Read Free Book Online Page A

decide?”
    “I don’t know . . . Just today, I guess. Can I let you know in the morning?”
    “Sure. Where can I meet you?”
    “Um . . .”
    “I’ll put you up at a hotel for tonight.”
    “The one Dawson got me so I could get ready for last night?”
    “Sure. We’ll extend it for the night, and I’ll meet you in the lobby in the morning. Nine AM.”
    His gaze holds such intensity I feel unnerved. It’s so strange, being looked at this way. Not only as a person, but as a woman. Worthy of attention and caring. I’ve never felt it before.
    I eat my breakfast, trying not to get ahead of myself. Bethy is very attached to me, and she might freak out over this idea. But the thought of taking care of her—really taking care of her—for the first time since we left home more than four years ago has me excited. She could be warm, fed, safe . No more sleeping with one eye open because I’m terrified someone will try to rape or murder my little sister.
    It’s not really possible to put a price on that.

    Andrew
    I’m being kind of an asshole on the drive to the hotel. Instead of trying to put Quinn at ease and sell her on the idea of living with me, I’m just staring out the windshield in silence.
    She’s not sure? Living on the brutal streets of New York City is a close contest with living at my place and being paid well for it? I’ve been more than understanding with her. Hell, I jerked off alone in my bedroom last night when I’d been planning on a night of great sex with her.
    Quinn’s not like other women. I’m intrigued and more than a little attracted to this mysterious woman with a hunting knife strapped to her thigh.
    “I thought rich guys had someone drive them places,” she murmurs.
    I clench the steering wheel of my Land Rover and glance over at her. “Would you like to see a bank statement to confirm my net worth?”
    Her lips curve in the tiniest smile of amusement. “No, it was just an observation.”
    “I use a driving service to and from my office and anything in the city that requires parking. But I like driving, too.”
    “I would too, if I had a car like this.”
    I take a deep breath as I slow to a stop in traffic. “What can I say to persuade you? Whomever this person you’re responsible for is, do you need to bring them along?”
    She gives me a look of horror. “No. I just need some time to think about it.”
    I want to offer her more money. The hotel is less than a half mile away, and I don’t want her getting out of this car without a deal in place. She could just leave the hotel before our meeting tomorrow, and I’d never see her again.
    But, no. I shift in my seat, deciding I’m not offering more money. I’ve made her a great offer—one most women in her situation would jump at. If she doesn’t take it, fine by me.
    We make the rest of the trip in silence. I pull up in front of the hotel and wave off the valet who approaches. Quinn reaches for her door handle.
    “I’ll get that for you,” I offer.
    She opens it. “I’ve got it. I’ll see you in the morning, Andrew.”
    “In the lobby? You’ll be there?”
    “Nine o’clock. I’ll be there.”
    I pass her my business card, on which I’ve written my cell number.
    She takes it and slides out of the car, meeting my eyes before closing the car door. I see curiosity swimming in those brownish gold eyes and a hint of a smile on her lips.
    And then she’s gone, slipping through the front door of the hotel. She went in with her head down, and no one even looked at her.
    I stare at the door for a few seconds before pulling away from the curb. The farther I get from the hotel, the more out of control I feel.
    And there’s nothing I loathe like that feeling. Of all the things I’ve set my sights on, Quinn feels like the wild card. The one thing I may not be able to buy or charm. The challenge of it runs warm and fierce through my veins.
    If she says no, it won’t be fine by me at all.

Quinn
    “Fuck this