by Sam Crescent
Alesha shook her head. “No, I can’t.”
“It’s unloaded. You won’t conquer your fears unless you face them.” He reached down and grabbed her wrist, pressing the gun into her palm. It was cold and heavy against her skin. She wrapped her fingers around the handle, still afraid even though it was rendered harmless. She wondered if Xavier was afraid of anything. “Good girl. There you go.”
He moved behind her until her back was pressed to his body. Xavier reached around her sides, enveloping her, bringing her arms straight out in front of her. Every move was slow and deliberate. Her body thrummed, her cheeks heating. He bent over enough so that his face was next to hers. She even felt a brief brush of his stubble on her skin.
“Just like that,” he whispered close to her ear. “Look through the sights and aim at your target. Never hesitate. Take a breath and pull.” He placed his finger over hers and pulled the trigger. The gun made a sharp click, and she jumped. “It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
She wanted to melt into his arms. The heat of his body warmed her bare skin, but she still broke out into gooseflesh. “I think it’s safer in your hands,” she said, returning the pistol to him.
He grabbed the clip and then returned the gun to his holster as if he’d done it a thousand times. “You’re a natural, Alesha. I’ll have to give you lessons.”
Her name sounded perfect on his lips. “That sounds like fun.” No, it didn’t. Guns terrified her, but she wanted another chance to be close to Xavier. A one on one lesson sounded intimate, even though she was certain he was just being a nice guy.
“You’re jumpy. I just want you to know you never have to worry while living here. No one will ever hurt you.”
It was an odd thing to say, but she liked the confidence in his voice. He made her feel safe. Alesha hoped she hadn’t crossed any boundaries. Maybe the lesson was a bad idea. The last thing she needed was for things to get awkward between them and for her to lose her job as a result.
“I’m very happy working here,” she said for good measure.
“The place has never been cleaner.”
Disappointment assaulted her. She was just the damn maid, and she had to remember that. He was any woman’s wet dream. Alesha tucked her fantasies back into her imagination where they belonged.
End of sample chapter
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