Free Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell

her startled squeak contained in her chest when Reid yanked her out of the room. “Hey!”
    “Shh,” he ordered as he dragged her down a hall, turned a corner, and then sandwiched her between his large body and the wall. “You’re freaking yourself out for no reason, so I’m going to teach you a trick I use before a fight.”
    “Reid, I hardly think—”
    “No thinking. Visualizing. Before I step into the cage I visualize every punch, every kick, every takedown. I know my opponent well from studying his previous fights. I anticipate how he’ll react to my attacks so I’ll be ready for any situation. That’s exactly what I want you to do right now.”
    She knew she must be looking at him like he was crazy, because that’s exactly what she was thinking. How could this technique could help her talk to Stephen? If she needed to anticipate the guy’s punches there was a bigger problem than wanting a date.
    “Close your eyes.” Seeing his determined look—and in all honesty desperate to try anything to get rid of her nerves—she obeyed. “I want you to picture yourself walking into that room, your head held high, and your confidence even higher. You know you look fabulous. This dress fits your body like it was designed for you. The heels make your legs look impossibly long and every guy in that room will be picturing them wrapped around his waist.”
    She was slightly cold with the A/C blasting from the vent above them, but when he placed his hand on her waist, any chills disappeared from the heat of his touch. He stepped into her body, her breasts lightly grazing his hard chest with every breath she took. Her eyes remained closed, but the magnitude of his presence was palpable. Focusing was definitely no longer an issue. She was wired into him now, brain and body, whether she wanted to be or not.
    “Pretend I’m him. I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off you since the moment I saw you. I’m wondering how I could’ve been so blind not to have noticed how truly gorgeous you are.”
    Reid’s hand slowly slid up her side until his thumb was millimeters away from her breast. She told herself she shouldn’t feel disappointed when he moved it around to her back, managing to avoid anything inappropriate. His voice, pitched low and near her ear, rolled over her skin causing the tiny hairs at the back of her neck to stand on end. “I start with simple chitchat, shoptalk, but the entire time you’re talking I’m staring at your lips and imagining what they’ll taste like.”
    “You are?” she asked on a breathy whisper.
    “Fuck yeah, I am.” His free hand came up to frame her face and he nudged her cheek with his nose until her head angled to the side. “You’re sexy as hell, Lucie, and I want to unwrap you to get to the decadent prize underneath. I want to learn your likes, your dislikes—to know your fears and your dreams—and I vow to peel back each beautiful layer until I discover everything about you.”
    Lucie’s heart was pounding so hard she was sure the hostess could hear it in the front of the restaurant. She wanted to be known like that—physically, emotionally—desperately.
    “Yes,” she said. “I want that.”
    “Then take what you want.” His voice was little more than a rasp at her ear. It sounded strained and on the edge. “Make it happen.”
    She was so wrapped up in the image in her mind, she didn’t notice Reid had stepped back from her until the feeling of bereftness came over her. Letting her eyes flutter open she focused on Reid standing in front of her. His hands shoved into his front pockets and the stiff look on his face didn’t match the sultry emotions he’d just poured over her.
    “All you have to do is remember everything I’ve just told you, and walk through that door.” Before she could ask him if everything was all right, he jerked his head in the direction of the banquet room. “Go on. It’s time to make your entrance, Cinderella.”
    The idea of