CHAPTER TWO

JASON

“Fucking hell,” I groaned, raking a hand through my hair in frustration as the limousine slowed to a halt in front of my building. The jet lag from my trip to Canada had caught up with me like a freight train, slamming into my skull and twisting my mood into knots. To top it off, Alex had been talking my ear off the entire ride from the airport—pitching a business deal I had no interest in, like a salesman desperate to meet quota.

“Jason, I’m telling you, this could be huge—” he started again.

I cut him off with a look, one that would make lesser men curl in their seats.

Liam had already lost his patience back at the airport and left us both behind. Smart move. But I wasn’t so lucky. I was stuck entertaining Alex, who had always been a relentless bastard when it came to deals.

Alex Gwen and Liam Troy. My two best friends since college. We were cut from the same cloth—wealthy, powerful, dominant. Though, to be fair, I had the edge when it came to money, thanks to the legacy of the Knight Empire. Alex was born into old money, too, and our families were practically intertwined. Liam, on the other hand, started from the dirt. I helped him kick-start his first venture years ago, and now the bastard was a self-made millionaire. Couldn’t be prouder of him.

Pulling up to my seventy-story luxury building—yeah, I owned the whole damn place—I stepped out of the car, fatigue trailing behind me like a shadow. My private elevator waited, sleek and silent, and I entered, Alex in tow like a persistent ghost.

He wasn’t giving up. “Jason, this deal—”

I swiped my security card and punched in the floor to my penthouse. “You have the money, Alex. Why the fuck do you need me in on this?”

He leaned against the wall, smirking. “They won’t sign unless you’re in. They want the almighty Knight on the contract.”

I turned slowly, my jaw ticking. “What kind of shady company makes that a condition?”

He sighed, finally cracking. “They think your name brings credibility. Prestige.”

“And you think that’s a good thing?” I growled. “If they won’t sign with you alone, they’re hiding something.”

Alex shrugged. “Come on, man. Don’t overthink it.”

“I’m going to investigate the hell out of them. If they’re legit, fine. But if they’re not, I’ll tear them apart.”

The elevator chimed and the doors slid open. I stepped into my penthouse, eager to shut out the world. But the sight that greeted me rooted me to the marble floor.

Curved. Plump. Perfect.

The roundest, most luscious ass I had ever seen bent over one of my designer couches, dusting the cushions. I let out a low whistle before I could stop myself. I’m a man—not a saint.

The girl jumped and knocked her head against the armrest. “Ouch!”

I winced. “Shit.”

She stood up, rubbing her temple. When she turned to face me, time fucking froze.

She was breathtaking.

Smooth mocha skin. Long, flowing black hair that kissed her waist. Gray eyes—stormy, piercing, unlike anything I’d ever seen. And those lips… those kissable, plump lips practically begging to be claimed.

She looked startled, but there was something delicate, untouched about her. She wrapped her arms around herself and took a cautious step back.

“Who are you?” I asked, trying not to sound too damn affected.

“I—I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know—” she stammered.

Before she could finish, Anne appeared, her face flushed. “Mr. Knight! You’re early. We didn’t expect you back until tomorrow.”

“Anne.” My tone was sharp. “What’s going on here? Who is she?”

“Oh! Right. This is Jasmin Rose—your new maid.”

My what?

I stared at her again, this time slower. There was no damn way this woman was a maid. She looked like a goddess misplaced on earth. A runway model dressed in tiny denim shorts and a tank top that clung to every glorious curve.

“My maid?” I repeated, incredulous.

“Yes, sir. She’s the replacement you requested.”

I had asked Anne to find someone, sure. I needed help around here—someone to clean, cook, manage shit while I worked. But this? This was not what I had expected.

And my traitorous body was reacting with a vengeance.

Behind me, Alex chuckled darkly. “Does she really have to dress like a slut to work here?”

Jasmin visibly flinched. Anne gasped. My temper flared.

“Alex,” I warned.

He didn’t stop. “Come on, man. She’s dressed like a damn hooker. You’re single, she knows exactly what she’s doing.”

“Alex, shut the fuck up,” I snapped.

He scoffed and stalked off toward the bar.

I turned back to Jasmin—just in time to see a tear streak down her cheek. Something inside me twisted at the sight.

“Don’t cry,” I said, softer now. “Alex is being a dick. Ignore him.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Knight,” she whispered. “I’ll only wear my uniform from now on.”

Uniform? I swallowed hard, now picturing her in a tight, skimpy maid outfit straight out of a p**n fantasy. Fuck. My imagination was the real enemy here.

“No need to apologize,” I said, struggling to keep my voice even. “It’s my fault. I came in early.”

She looked relieved, though still hesitant. “I finished cleaning. You had asked to speak to me?”

Speak to her?

Oh. Right. I had instructed Anne to find someone willing to live on-site. It made things easier—less traffic, more control. I didn’t expect Anne to hire someone who looked like my next addiction.

“Yes,” I said finally. “I need a live-in maid.”

Her eyes widened. “Live… in?”

I nodded, watching her expression. She looked stunned. “Will that be a problem?”

She glanced at Anne, who shrugged apologetically.

I turned to Anne, waiting for an answer. I was pissed off as hell. She is always forgetting one thing or the other. If she wasn't my sister friend, I swear to God I would have fired her ass.

"I'm sorry sir, I forgot to add that to the job description." She mumbled softly.

"Save it Anne. You are really beginning to get on my nerves with this forgetfulness of yours. Do you really want to keep your job?"

Jasmin shook her head viciously. "No... No sir. Please don’t fire her.

I looked back at Jasmin. She was worried I was going to fire Anne. Well good, I wasn't going to. But the threat is working in my favor.

“I—” Jasmin hesitated. “No, sir. I’ll move in.”

Good. I wasn’t going to fire Anne over a forgotten detail—Mia would kill me—but Jasmin stepping up made that decision easier.

“Great. Get your things ready,” I said, turning away.

“Sir?” Her soft voice stopped me. “Can I still go to school?”

Now that surprised me. I turned back, watching her closely. She looked young, but she carried herself with maturity. How old was she? I’d have my investigator find out later. I needed to know everything about her.

“Yes,” I said. “As long as you fulfill all your duties, you can study as much as you want.”

Her face lit up, and I damn near lost my sanity. That smile. Those lips.

“Thank you so much,” she beamed.

Christ. Those lips. I couldn’t stop imagining them wrapped around me, warm and willing. I needed release. I needed to bury myself in her and forget every shred of morality I had.

I muttered a curse under my breath and stalked off toward my bedroom.

I needed a cold fucking shower. Or ten.

As I shut the door behind me, her smile still burned in my mind. This girl was dangerous. A temptation I couldn’t afford.

But it was already too late.

I had to have her.

And I would. Even if I had to play dirty.