Beck & Call by Emma Holly Page B

orgasm.”
    “Don’t.” Her throat felt sore, her body trembling from head to toe. Part of her knew she didn’t want him to listen. Part of her was completely thrilled.
    “‘Don’t’ isn’t your safe word.”
    He stole her breath by jerking the chair she was bound to onto its back two legs. She couldn’t fling out her arms for balance. They were chained behind her neck. Instinct told her to panic, but at the same time she absolutely knew Jake wouldn’t let her fall. Adrenaline flooded her, and Lord knew what other crazed biological cocktail. If she hadn’t been bound, she’d have thrown herself on him; just ripped down his zipper, climbed his tall hard body, and rode him until they both climaxed. If a million people had watched, she wouldn’t have stopped herself.
    “‘Yes’ or ‘no,’” he said, holding her dipped back. “I need to hear one of those two words before I continue.”
    His handsome face was inches away, his cologne mixing with his sweat to form a scent she’d never get enough of. His arms were steely from the intensity of his grip, his pupils swollen with arousal. When he wet his lips, she lost it.
    “Yes,” she answered.
    He crashed his mouth over his, his tongue instantly claiming the territory inside. Her hormones went ohmygod . He tasted so good and felt so good and boy oh boy he could kiss. She strained in the chains that held her, desperate for more of his oral skill. Jake made a rumbling noise in his chest, too soft for anyone but her to hear. His kiss went deeper. His hand tightened on her breast …
    She came, her body jerking with pleasure and surprise. The orgasm was quick but sharp, and it drew a low moan from her.
    Jake pulled free and set her upright again.
    She gaped at him, shocked and actually a bit angered by his retreat. At least he wasn’t smirking over his victory. She couldn’t have tolerated that. His face was flushed as he stared back at her, his hands slightly clenched at his sides. Mia had no idea what lay behind his dark expression until a smattering of applause broke out in the audience. Then annoyance flicked across his features. He didn’t want their experience lowered to the level of something done for show.
    The applause cut off. Management was striding onto the stage in her amazing blue sparkly gown. She had no trouble walking in four-inch heels. “Thank you,” she said to Jake as the house lights came up. “I’m sure we all appre-”
    “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” a familiar voice demanded.
    It was Curtis, her and Jake’s mutual boss. Mia had thought he was leaving tonight’s scheme to Jake, but she guessed not. Curtis glared at Jake from the edge of the dance floor in the same clothes he’d worn to work, his arms crossed angrily at his chest. To be honest, Mia wasn’t a hundred percent certain his rage was feigned. Curtis looked genuinely pissed.
    Maybe he hadn’t known how far Jake intended to take this?
    “What does it look like I’m doing?” Jake responded unhelpfully.
    “You told me you didn’t play with coworkers. You said it would ‘threaten our dynamic.’” Curtis’s face flushed darker as he made quote fingers. “Mia is our receptionist. And under my protection!”
    Jake shrugged. “What can I say? You’re hot, Curtis, but I like her sexy bits better.”
    Curtis rushed toward the stage roaring, clearly intending to attack. Mia cursed the chains that kept her from intervening. Fortunately, two of Audition’s security guys got between Curtis and the object of his anger.
    “You’re fired!” Curtis shouted, struggling to wrench free of them. “Both of you are goddamned fired!”
    Hey, Mia thought, stung by this in spite of the fact that it probably was an act. How was it fair that she got fired too? What happened to her being under Curtis’s protection?
    “Get him out of here,” Management ordered her security personnel.
    It took one more guy, but Curtis was escorted out.
    “Lower the curtain,” was