Read The Fifth Favor for Free Online Page B

appeared with pad in hand. Adrian’s attention never left Billie’s face as they ordered their lunches, nor did the mild smile on his lips falter. He regarded her with what appeared to be enjoyment.
    She hadn’t perceived herself as particularly amusing before now. Laughter didn’t come easily to her. Ted often had alluded to the fact that she was too solemn.
    She bit her lip and waited until the waiter disappeared again before she met Adrian’s eyes. “Maybe I should paraphrase that with, how many times do you have sex in a night?”
    “It varies,” he said with a shrug. “Sometimes once. Sometimes several times.
    Sometimes I don’t keep count.”
    Her brows shot up. “How is that possible? I mean, men can’t…how can you—”
    “Think, Ms. Cort.”
    Unbidden pictures flitted through her mind and sent warmth creeping up her neck.
    “I could see being able to control your own response once or twice, but more than that?
    I don’t believe it.”
    “Is that a challenge?” he asked softly. Before she could stumble through a response, he continued. “Haven’t you ever had a man withhold his orgasm for your pleasure, Billie? It’s a privilege to me. A test of strength and generosity and self-control. It offers its own kind of pleasure. The pleasure of giving.”
    “It sounds supremely difficult,” she said huskily.
    He sat back. “It is. But as with everything at Avalon, the level of challenge depends on the client. Some are more enticing than others. For example, if you were the client—”
    “Don’t use me as an example,” she said quickly, cheeks flaming. “Remember what happened last time?”
    His gaze wandered over her hair and settled on her lips. “Tell me, Billie. What happened last time?”
    She closed her eyes briefly, drew a breath for strength. “Please, Adrian. I want to get through this interview without feeling mortified.”
    “Talking about sex mortifies you?”
    “With you it does. When it concerns my own experience.”
    “And why is that?”
    27

    Shelby Reed
    “Because this interview isn’t about me,” she declared. “It’s about you. I’m not here as your client.”
    He sat watching her, as though he knew the presence of unspoken truths that clamored for release within her.
    She straightened and took a sip of water, determined to reclaim her decorum.
    “How many women do you think you’ve been with?”
    “Don’t change the subject just yet,” he said gently. “Would you like to know why I think addressing your own sexuality is hard for you?”
    The answer was a firm no, because he obviously already knew the real reason; it was stamped in the onyx depths of his eyes even before he spoke. This man’s talents were only partially comprised of sexual skill. Somehow he could read a woman’s turmoil, Billie’s turmoil, her innermost insecurities, as though they were printed across her forehead. He would strip her to the bone if she allowed it.
    “It’s because you haven’t explored sexual boundaries of any sort, Billie,” he went on. “I’d venture to say you’re virginal in every aspect except the physical. Pleasure could become so familiar to you, so certain and reaffirming, if you felt safe and loved and sure about what you were doing. But you don’t feel safe when you’re giving yourself to a man, do you? It terrifies you.”
    “Oh, so they teach you psychology at Avalon, too?” Her response came bitterly, blatant evidence of her exposure at his hands. “If you keep redirecting this interview toward me, Adrian, I’ll walk out of here right now, the article be damned.”
    He merely waited, expression placid, while she sucked in angry breaths and squelched the inexplicable indignation he’d stirred with his probing.
    In a moment, emotions once again reined, she clicked her pen and said, “So let me get this straight. You go all night withholding your own release—”
    “Not all night.” He leaned closer, lashes concealing the obsidian heat in his