Free Coercion (The Cassano Series Book 3) by Scarlet Wolfe

his computer. He glances up at me a few times, so I look down when he does. His attractiveness is unnerving.
    “I could go home if it’s easier. Noah isn’t going to know whether I did work for you or not.”
    “He might see you when you’re leaving, and he’s already pissed at me. Slide your chair around here, so I can show you the software we use,” he orders and not so nicely.
    Dragging my chair around, I sidle up to him and breathe in his clean autumn scent. He smells like the crisp pine trees I recall from up east. My parents used to take me there to stay in our vacation home when I was little.
    That was before my father pissed away his fortune in hotels on this very Strip. I guess earning money from them makes me feel like I’m getting some of my father’s money back.
    “You’re pissed.”
    He turns and gazes at me, and I didn’t realize our lips would be in such close proximity. We’re close enough for me to feel his heated breath on my skin.
    His gaze flits to my lips, and he almost seems surprised by something before he blinks rapidly. I want him to kiss me, but instead, he furrows his brow.
    “I am pissed. You had no business associating with Noah after I told you not to.”
    “And I told you that I can take care of myself. I get to make my own decisions.”
    He shifts to face more toward me. His hand shoves into my blond hair until it’s cradling my cheek. Caught off-guard, air whooshes into my lungs.
    “Tara, I’m serious here. You’ve now become a pawn in a sick game Noah is eager to play.” I have a feeling I should be listening to his words, but I can’t help closing my eyes to savor the feel of his calloused hand. I bet that’s from lifting weights.
    “Tara.” My eyes flip open.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Fuck. Do you listen to a word I say?”
    “I’m sorry. I’m distracted by you, and you say ‘fuck’ a lot.”
    He smirks, and I get a small glimpse of his dimples.
    “That’s because you’re distracting.”
    “I am?”
    “Yes, but I need you to listen to me.”
    I nod. “Right, Noah.”
    “No matter what he says to lure you in, and no matter how much money he offers you, don’t sleep with him.”
    Before I can stop myself, my hand flies up, but it’s not to cradle his face. No, it’s to smack it. Hard.
    “Holy shit. I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I smacked my boss. Please don’t fire me.” I scrunch my nose and bite down on my lip about as hard as I smacked him.
    Zev jerks backward, his hand immediately going to his cheek. “What the fuck was that for?”
    “I’m not a prostitute.”
    “OK, OK, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have insinuated that.”
    “No, you shouldn’t have.”
    Zev massages his cheek again, and I look away from the guilt I’m feeling. I have let a few members of the lounges buy me dinner and take me shopping before I slept with them. It was premeditated, both of us knowing the roles we would play for the evening.
    I stopped that shit, though, once Victoria reminded me I could be independent, too. I went to college and took this job so I could take care of myself.
    Men can buy me all the dinners they want, but it doesn’t mean I’m going to sleep with them afterward, and I would never take cash from them.
    Short of giving me a swift kick in the ass, Victoria made me realize I’m worth more than that. Actually, she gave Mr. Glover a swift kick in the balls. I will never forget that she did that for me. I begin to snicker.
    “Oh, you find this funny?” He shakes his head, and I don’t know if it’s from my grin or not, but he finally grins, too. His dimples sink in, and it’s like finding a shell in sinking sand on the beach. It’s rare and beautiful. He’s beautiful.
    Without a thought, I’m grabbing his hair and pulling him to me. My lips crash against his. I must be insane to smack my boss first and kiss him second. He grabs my shoulders and pushes me away.
    “Don’t kiss me,” he barks.
    “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
    “Don’t