Bound to be Taken (Emergence) by Becca Jameson Page B

her legs were bare. No stockings today. Her skin would still be stinging from the coffee.
    “Hey, there he is.” Aiden turned to Dane and smiled, the biggest grin Dane had ever seen. Stephanie did this to him. If he didn’t know better, Dane would feel jealous of Aiden’s attention to another person. But that was ridiculous. Dane and Aiden had known each other for so long they just didn’t react so strongly anymore.
    Stephanie turned her head to glance back at Dane. Her smile melted him. His sweaty hands shook as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
    “Didn’t think you were gonna show,” Dane whispered as he rounded the table to face her.
    “I wasn’t sure myself. I had a lot of work to get done today before I could leave the office. And then I had to tell myself this wasn’t completely stupid of me…coming here, I mean.” She bit her lip in that way that made him squirm. He wanted to suck that kissable lip into his mouth.
    Aiden sat down in the chair next to her. “We’re glad you came.” He set a hand on hers on the table and squeezed.
    Dane wanted to touch her skin. The simple peck had only whet his appetite. But he needed to cook. “I’m making you something special. I hope you’re hungry.”
    “Starved.”
    “Good. I’ll be back out in a bit then.” Dane backed up. He glanced around the restaurant as he went. Not many diners were left. Typical for a Wednesday night. The middle of the week was generally slow. He hoped everyone would just clear out fast so he and Aiden could have Stephanie all to themselves. Like last night… He groaned as he entered the kitchen. Last night had been…unbelievable. He hoped they could do it again, maybe push her further.
    Dane headed for the sink and adjusted his crotch as he reached to turn the water on. He needed to scrub his hands and get to work.
     
    Aiden leaned on his elbows across from her when he returned from grabbing a bottle of wine and two glasses. Stephanie gazed into his deep green eyes. His blond hair landed over his forehead. She wanted to run her hands through the thick locks. Instead, she fisted them in her lap and tried to keep from fidgeting, again.
    What was it about these two men that she lost all ability to concentrate in their presence? She’d slept like a log after her release last night and gotten to work at six o’clock this morning to get a jump on her assignments. Staying until eight thirty this evening lifted a huge weight off her chest. Being type A did have its advantages. With diligent concentration, she’d made great strides. Several of the accounts had needed much less attention than she’d expected. The stack had gotten shorter.
    She couldn’t deny the rampant thoughts that had seeped into her mind from time to time, shocking her. Did she really kneel in front of two sexy men last night and let them teach her about submission? She squeezed her legs together, feeling the dampness that wouldn’t stop gathering in her panties.
    “So, how was your day?” Aiden asked.
    “Good. I got a lot done.” She gripped her knee to steady her leg. It wouldn’t stop bouncing. “Yours?”
    “Slow. But Wednesdays often are. I’m glad though. Frees me up now to enjoy a late dinner with you.” He poured a glass of wine and set it in front of her. “I guessed red, since that’s what you wanted yesterday.”
    She nodded. “I’m a dry kinda girl.” Ugh, you sound ridiculous. She was acting as if she were on a job interview.
    Her knee tapped again when she released it to reach for the stem of the wine glass. She needed a long drink to calm her nerves. The lines in this arrangement were blurring. This was a business deal. And yet she felt warm and her stomach clenched at just the sight of Aiden smiling at her.
    Dane approached and settled platters all over the table. She giggled. “How much do you think I can eat?”
    “I wasn’t sure what you liked so I made a variety.” He sat next to her. With one man across from her and one next to