[Jasmine’s POV]
What in the hell was I doing?
It was the day after I found out about my father's arrest, and I was headed to Gareth's office dressed in a shapeless, black trenchcoat.
Underneath, I was wearing icy blue see-through lingerie. To say that they left little up to the imagination was an understatement. I completed my look with a smokey eye, red lips, and white heels.
I parked in front of his large office building and let out a shaky breath. I gripped the steering wheel, wondering if I could actually go through with my crazy plan. Could I really sell my body? I bit my lip as I remembered the pleasure of having Gareth's lips and strong hands on me. Even if sex with Gareth would be transactional, it would still be pleasurable. There was no doubt about that.
But what if Gareth laughed at my offer? I knew that he was a playboy. His many conquests were practically legendary. Men wanted to be him, and women wanted to have the privilege of occupying his bed. He had probably seen—and had sex with—much more mature and attractive women than me. I hadn't had time to think of this last night, but now that I did, self-doubt was invading my mind like a dense fog, making me want to drive away and pretend like I'd never even considered this insane plan.
An image of my mother sobbing at our dining room table popped into my mind. She spent the whole night awake, clutching one of my father's shirts and crying. Even after I went to bed, I could hear her through the wall.
Determination flooded through me. I was going to do this. There wasn't another option. Besides, I'd rather spend one night with Gareth than be Elliot's mistress for the rest of my life.
I swung open my door, tightening the belt of the trench coat around me. The last thing I wanted to do was give a free show to the cars and people passing me by on the busy street.
My heart pounded as I rode the elevator up to the top floor. But I kept my head held high as I walked up to the secretary’s desk, trying to exude a confidence that I didn’t actually feel.
“Name?” the blonde receptionist asked in a bored voice.
“Jasmine Lowett,” I replied. “I don’t have an appointment, but could you please—”
The blonde cut me off. “No appointment, no entry. That’s the way a business works.” She said it like I was slow on the uptake and rolled her eyes.
“Could you please just tell him—”
“No,” she interrupted me again with a vindictive smile. “Gareth Laken is a very busy man. Come back when you have an appointment.”
We glared at each other. Why was she being so rude?
“Samantha!” a deep voice called from behind us.
The receptionist turned scarlet and spun around in her seat.
Gareth strode up to us, immediately commanding attention with his powerful presence.
“How dare you send away visitors without even consulting me first?” he scolded her. “That isn’t part of your job description”
“But—”
Gareth cut her off with just a slight narrowing of his eyes. He turned to me, and his expression softened.
“Please, follow me, Jasmine.”
Satisfaction flowed through me as I walked past the receptionist and shot her a grin. Her expression of outrage reminded me of someone who had just been slapped in the face. My wolf purred with pleasure from seeing the woman who insulted me receive instant karma.
Gareth placed his hand on the small of my back and led me into his impressive corner office. He shut the door behind us. A giant window took up most of the far wall that offered a spectacular view of the city.
He led me to a comfortable black seat, then leaned against his large wooden desk and looked down at me.
My pulse quickened as his gray eyes roamed over my body. A curious look crossed his face when he noticed I was wearing a trench coat.
Bravely, I met his hypnotic gaze. I was feeling a little bit better about my plan since he had stood up for me to the receptionist and invited me to his office.
Maybe he did have feelings for me. Or at least was interested enough to continue what we started last night.
“Is everything alright?” he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.
“No…it’s not,” I admitted. “My father has been accused of a crime that I know he didn’t commit. He’s in jail, and they want ten million dollars in order to release him.”
Gareth nodded slowly. “I heard about your father. You have my deepest sympathies for his tough situation. But where do I come in?”
I wrung my hands together and averted my gaze to the ground. But I had to be brave. I couldn’t back out now.
“Well, I was hoping that you would release him.” I fluttered my eyelashes. “As the powerful Lycan King, I know that you have the power to do so. Maybe we could even set up a payment plan, and I could provide a service until my debt is paid off.”
Gareth’s eyes sparked with desire, but his expression gave nothing away.
“That’s a huge favor that you’re requesting. What kind of service would you be providing?” His muscles bulged as he crossed his arms.
My eyes greedily took in his strong, toned body.
But I couldn’t allow myself to be distracted.
I swallowed down my fear and stood up, praying that my shaky legs wouldn’t fail me as I headed toward him.
Our gazes locked together, our bodies only an inch apart. The heat coming off him made my head spin.
Slowly, I trailed my fingers down his hard chest and leaned up to place my lips right by his ear.
“I was thinking that we could finish what we started last night,” I whispered. “Maybe even right here on your desk.”
My mouth was right next to his neck, but I didn’t kiss him just yet.
Even though I didn’t have much experience, I knew that I had to be patient if I wanted my seduction to work.
I allowed my hair to trail across his skin as I pulled away.
Gareth’s eyes were glued on me as I ran my hands down my body until I was holding the tie of my trench coat.
Then, without breaking our intense eye contact, I slipped off my coat, allowing it to slide slowly down me, exposing my bare skin.
Gareth’s hands clenched his desk as he took in my mostly nude body. The intense lust in his eyes spurred me on. Under his intense gaze, my cheeks flushed, and my nipples hardened.
With a sexy grin, I spun around so that he could see every inch of my body. When my back was to him, I leaned over so he could see my shapely ass that looked even better in my thong. A thrill zinged down my spine from being on display for him. Surprisingly, I wanted his eyes on me. I didn’t feel self-conscious in the slightest.
“You’re a gorgeous woman, Jasmine,” he muttered, almost like he was frustrated by that fact.
I hoped his self-control was lowering just like mine.
When I faced him again, I leaned forward and placed my arms on his shoulders. My warm center brushed against his pants, and I sharply inhaled at the contact.
He was rock-hard.
I tilted my head until our mouths were close enough that I could feel his warm breath on my lips.
“I’m a virgin, and I’m on birth control. You would have the honor of being the man to bed me first.” I paused, and the heat in his eyes increased. “Just think about how tight I’ll be, Gareth. I’ll do anything you want. Be anything you want.”
“Anything?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
I nodded.
Despite the heat engulfing my body, his question made me pause. I didn’t have any experience. What would he ask me to do?
I didn’t have time to consider my question, though.
Gareth leaned closer and reached out his hand.