The hotel room was a study in decadence, all sleek lines and muted gold tones, with a king-sized bed that sprawled like an invitation in the center. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed a neon-drenched cityscape, casting electric blues and pinks across the plush carpet. In the corner, the bathroom beckoned with a glass-walled shower, steam already curling faintly from an earlier occupant. The air hummed with anticipation, thick as the scent of expensive cologne and jasmine body wash.
Jace stood by the window, fiddling with the cuff of his tailored navy suit, his reflection betraying a nervous twitch in his jaw. He was all sharp angles and boyish charm, a tech entrepreneur who’d stumbled into a fortune with an app no one saw coming. But tonight, in this room, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a very particular kind of predator.
The door clicked open, and Marissa strode in, her stiletto heels clicking with purpose against the hardwood. She was a vision in a crimson blazer and pencil skirt, her dark hair pulled into a severe bun that only accentuated the wicked glint in her hazel eyes. A corporate lawyer with a reputation for chewing up boardrooms and spitting out egos, she carried herself like she owned every space she entered—and right now, she owned this one.
“Well, well, Jace,” she purred, tossing her clutch onto the bed with a deliberate flick of her wrist. “You look like you’re about to pitch a buggy app to a room full of sharks. Relax, darling. I don’t bite… unless you beg for it.”
Jace turned, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m fine, Marissa. Just… taking in the view.” His eyes darted to the window, then back to her, lingering on the curve of her hip. “It’s a lot to process.”
She laughed, a sharp, melodic sound that cut through the tension like a blade. “Oh, honey, the view out there’s got nothing on what’s about to happen in here. But let’s start with the basics—why don’t you take off that suit jacket before you sweat through it? You’re making me hot just looking at you, and not in the good way.”
He chuckled, shrugging off the jacket and draping it over a chair. “Better? Or do I need to submit a formal request for approval?”
“Smartass,” she shot back, stepping closer, her gaze raking over him like she was appraising a piece of fine art—or prey. “But I like that. Keep it up, and I might just let you survive the night.” Her fingers brushed against his tie, tugging it loose with a slow, deliberate pull. “You’ve got this whole ‘awkward genius’ thing going on, don’t you? Tell me, Jace, are you as vanilla in bed as you are at a podium? Because I’m not here for missionary and a handshake.”
His cheeks flushed, but he held her gaze, emboldened by the challenge in her tone. “I’m not… vanilla. I just haven’t met anyone who’s dared to test my limits. You think you’re up for it, counselor? Or are you all talk?”
Marissa’s lips curled into a smirk, her hand sliding down his chest, popping the top button of his shirt with a flick of her thumb. “Oh, I’m up for it, tech boy. The question is, can you keep up? I don’t play nice, and I don’t do boring. So, let’s lay some ground rules.” She stepped back, crossing her arms, her posture all business even as her eyes burned with mischief. “You’ve got a safe word—pick one now, or I’ll pick for you. And trust me, you’ll need it.”
Jace blinked, caught off guard by her directness, but a thrill shot through him at the promise in her words. “Uh… ‘circuit.’ That’s my safe word. Happy?”
“Ecstatic,” she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Now, strip. Shirt, pants, all of it. I want to see what I’m working with before I decide how much trouble you’re worth.”
He hesitated for half a second, then complied, his fingers fumbling with the remaining buttons as her gaze bore into him. “You’re not exactly subtle, are you?” he muttered, stepping out of his trousers, leaving him in nothing but black briefs that did little to hide his growing interest.
“Subtlety is for cowards,” she snapped, circling him like a lioness sizing up her catch. “And you, Jace, are not a coward. Nervous? Sure. Out of your depth? Definitely. But I can work with that.” She stopped in front of him, tilting his chin up with a manicured finger. “Let’s take this to the shower. I’ve got a few… unconventional ideas to break you in.”
His brow furrowed, but curiosity—and something darker—flashed in his eyes. “Unconventional how?”
“You’ll see,” she teased, grabbing his wrist and pulling him toward the bathroom. The glass-walled shower gleamed under the soft lighting, steam already fogging the edges as she turned on the water with a twist of her hand. “Get in. Now.”
Jace stepped inside, the warm spray hitting his skin as he watched her through the glass. She didn’t join him right away, instead leaning against the counter, her arms crossed, a wicked grin playing on her lips. “On your knees, darling. Let’s see how well you take direction.”
He hesitated, water cascading over his shoulders, but the authority in her voice was impossible to resist. Slowly, he sank to his knees, the tiles cool against his skin. “Like this?” he asked, his voice a mix of defiance and uncertainty.
“Perfect,” she purred, finally stepping into the shower, fully clothed, the water soaking through her blazer and skirt, clinging to her curves. She towered over him, her presence commanding even as droplets ran down her face. “Now, open your mouth. And don’t you dare look away.”
His eyes widened as realization dawned, but before he could protest, she tilted her hips forward, a stream of warm liquid hitting his tongue. Her laughter echoed off the tiles, sharp and unapologetic, as she watched his shocked expression. “What’s the matter, Jace? Too much for your delicate sensibilities? I told you I don’t play nice.”
He sputtered, blinking up at her through the water and the humiliation, but there was something in her gaze—something daring him to push past the shock—that kept him rooted there. “You’re insane,” he managed, his voice hoarse, though a reluctant smirk tugged at his lips. “And… I’m not saying no.”
Marissa’s grin widened, her hand reaching down to tilt his chin up again, water streaming between them. “Good boy. I knew there was a wild streak under all that awkward charm. Stick with me, and I’ll show you just how far we can go.”
As the water continued to pour over them, Jace felt the edges of his comfort zone dissolve, replaced by a strange, exhilarating pull toward whatever Marissa had in store. He was in over his head, no question—but for the first time in a long while, he didn’t care. This was a ride he wasn’t about to get off. Not yet.
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