Free At His Pleasure: Addie Learns the Ropes by Emme Salt Page B

tune of about a million dollars.”
    Mr. Banks’s words hit me hard. I knew that dad had been stressed last year, but I never knew any of the details. I don’t even think mom knew—he kept it all to himself.
    “A million dollars?” I asked, in a small voice. That couldn't be true — could it?
    “Yes. If not more. The economy had been going south for a while and your father backed himself into a corner with some of the investments he made. So he came to me and I gave him a loan, and some financial guidance. He made it out okay, Addie, but he almost lost his entire business. Almost went bankrupt.”
    I gasped softly. I had no idea.
    “So, he’s always looking for ways to make up his debt to me. And before you get any ideas, I never wanted a secretary in the first instance. But your father insisted, so I made up this internship position for you.”
    “What are you saying—you never wanted me?”
    He came towards me, fire in his eyes. “No—Addie, that’s not what I meant.”
    I took a few steps backwards. “That’s what you just said.”
    He yanked me into his arms. “That’s not true, Addie,” he said. He ran his fingers over my lips. “Do you know how hard it was for me to turn him down the first time he offered you to me? I wanted you. Still want you.”
    My heart fluttered in my chest as adrenaline surged in my body. Did I run? Or did I fight?
    “No,” I finally gasped.
    Breaking away, I ran to the bedroom and slammed the door shut. My mind was in turmoil. My father gave me to Mr. Banks to be his plaything, and Mr. Banks never even wanted me in the first place.
    What the hell was I going to do?
     
    * * * *
    I kept the door locked. I laid down on the bed and tried to sort through my feelings. On the one hand, Mr. Banks had saved my family...but on the other hand, he kept the truth from me. Maybe it was just to protect me, like he said. I wanted to believe that. But a lie of this size—how could I keep from feeling betrayed?
    Playing with the fringe on a throw pillow, I stared into the ocean in the distance. It was more than I could take. Because if I was being honest with myself, I knew that Mr. Banks would never hurt me. Not on purpose, anyway.
    And the other thing—no man made me feel the way he did. The sheer fact that I was still here—well, that said something. I couldn’t tear myself away from him.
    A knock came on the door.
    “Dinner,” said the voice of the server. “Excuse me, miss, Mr. Banks has ordered a meal for you.”
    “I don’t want it,” I shouted. “Go away.”
    I heard his footsteps and then the main door of the suite open and close.
    Good. I want to be alone right now. Even as I thought it I knew it wasn’t completely true. I hadn’t eaten since I ordered cheesy fries four hours ago and I was starving.
    “Addie,” came Mr. Banks’s voice a moment later. “You need to eat something.”
    “No,” I snapped. “Leave me alone.”
    Then there was the sound of a key in the lock. He had the key this whole time? I was shocked. He could have opened the door any time, but instead let me have my peace.
    I still jumped as the door opened. “Hey, what are you doing?”
    “You can’t stay in there forever.” He walked in, his stride masculine and strong.
    “I’ll do what I want,” I snapped.
    He glowered at me. “Your father was right about one thing,” he said. “You can be a handful.”
    Suddenly he was pinning me against the bed, his weight pushing me down. I gasped—he knocked the wind out of me.
    “You’ve had your time to sulk and pout,” he murmured. “Now it’s time for you to act like a big girl.”
    I squirmed under him, his hands tight around my wrists. “Make me,” I snapped, feeling childish.
    He kissed me then, his mouth hard and demanding on mine, sucking on my lips. I moaned as an involuntary burst of pleasure splashed between my thighs at his kiss, his smell, the pressure of his hard cock against my legs. I knew at that moment I’d give in. Let