Applying for Pleasure(9)
He had known instantly allowing another man to take the lead at Capture Inc. to play out Ariel's fantasy would never happen. A menage wasn't out of the question. But John had gone back on his own rule of never being involved, and an argument had ensued with Sean because of it. John had thrown caution to the wind, and the idea of being with her was exhilarating.
Circling the last fur-covered cuff on her ankle, John then locked it. He watched her, taking every detail about her in, storing it into his memory. The stripping of her clothes had been pure torture. Out of respect for her and the fact that she was unconscious, he'd done his best not to stare at her naked body. It was one of the hardest things, withholding the need to touch her by a mere thread, but he'd managed.
She continued to sleep. He placed a silky satin sheet over her nakedness, and a blindfold over her eyes. That in itself had been a tough decision, because he wanted her to know it was he who would be giving her the one thing she truly wanted.
But would knowing it was him force her to tell him no?
It was a chance John couldn't take, even though he knew she wanted this. Capture Inc.'s contract never stated who would exactly lead the fantasy, and he was glad for the fact. Though their lack of physical involvement was never stated in the legal paperwork, John and Sean had both agreed it was for the best. John knew it would place Sean in a difficult position, but it wouldn't deter him.
She was meant to be his.
Seeing Ariel displayed like this in front of him, the curves of her body outlined under the sheet, her sweet aroma filling the room, made him want to pounce on her, yet it reassured him he was making the right decision. Call it crazy, call it infatuation or even lust, he needed to be involved with her more than he wanted his next breath.
John would have her.
"She'll wake soon."
John turned at the sound of his brother's voice, shocked that he was here in his bedroom. He caught the hint of surliness in Sean's tone. “Soon enough,” John whispered. Perhaps it had been an error sending an e-mail to his brother indicating his plans for Ariel. “How did you know I'd bring her here?"
"Your e-mails always have detailed locations, and who would serve as backup if anything ever went wrong?” Sean replied. “The one you sent me this morning contained no such thing, other than the fact you were handling Ariel's case. This isn't one of your best ideas."
John had enough with the skepticism. “What are you hesitant about?"
Their brotherly relationship had always been up front, each telling the other how it was with no bullshit between them. So John had to wonder what in the hell was bothering Sean now.
"You've never been involved. It's a rule we have in place for numerous very good reasons. Coupled with the fact that this is your home, and she is tied to your bed. Don't you find it worrisome in the least?"
John gave a nod, acknowledging the truth in Sean's statement. It was for business purposes that he and Sean weren't ever involved directly. The legal and personal consequences of sexual involvement with an applicant could be disastrous. He couldn't explain why he'd chosen to bring her to his home for her fantasy. He'd never done such a thing before, and he realized he was riding on his emotions, letting them lead the way. It wasn't something he ever did, but the day she'd walked into his office, John had known he wanted to control every aspect of her fantasy. “She's different.” And she was, unlike anyone he'd ever seen.
"The outcome could destroy us both."
John fisted his hands. “It's a chance I'm willing to take."
Sean narrowed his eyes angrily. “In deciding this, did you ever consider someone other than yourself? What if it's a chance I'm not willing to take? What if she finds out it's you, and this all backfires? There isn't a clause in our contract for this. We could lose everything we've ever worked for."
The truth in his brother's words unsettled John. But no way in hell would he back down now. His desire for her burned his blood. “I have taken weeks to think about this, turned over every scenario in my head, and pictured everything down to the last detail. This is not your decision to make. I'm not going in blind here. She is different,” he emphasized once more. “I'm moving forward with this, with or without your approval."
Sean shook his head and made his way to the door. “The only thing you know about her is what our background check and psychologist have revealed. Think really hard about the mistake your making. Let's just hope, Brother, this doesn't end up blowing up in your face, and as a result, we fucking lose it all."
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Chapter Five
"She'll wake soon."
It took every measure of control Ariel possessed to remain still and make sure her breathing remained even as she heard the conversation between John and Sean. Clearly by the way they spoke, they hadn't figured out she was already awake. The second she had lifted her lids and felt the blindfold surrounding her eyes, she had heard their voices. She'd immediately recognized John's voice, but strangely enough it reassured and pleased her to no bounds knowing it was him. The exchange between John and Sean was way too intense. Even though she couldn't stop thinking about him, she would have never guessed he would be involved, let alone that she'd end up tied to his bed.