Praise (Salacious Players Club, #1)

by Sara Cate

I just want to be enough for you. I want to make you proud.

You made me very proud today. And you are more than enough. You are perfect.

Thank you, sir.

God, I’m so fucked.

We’re just toying with this idea of sex, both of us basically expressing that we want it but holding back for Beau’s sake. Which I can handle. I never saw that desire coming, but I figured it would pass and I could resist. But the way Emerson makes me feel. The way I feel about him. How my heart seems to almost expand in his presence, the way I like myself more when I’m around him. How I want to be the only girl in the world he ever sets eyes on again. I’m falling hard for Emerson Grant. I’m so fucked.

Dear God, please let this be the only man I fuck for the rest of my life because there’s not a chance in hell anyone else could ever top that.

I nuzzle into the comfort of his broad chest and heavy arms as he presses his lips against my ear. Maybe I’m already dreaming because I can’t believe the answer that comes out of his mouth.

“I was thinking that I don’t deserve you.”

“Tell me you’re worth it. Tell me how beautiful you are.”

This is supposed to be a sexy moment, and I’m about to ruin it because I know he’s right. I know I never say anything good about myself, but I can’t help it. It doesn’t matter how pretty I am or how other people see me. The voice in my head telling me I’m not enough is louder.

“I can’t,”

“That’s okay. You will.”

“Do you think those other women are more beautiful than you?”

“Yes!”

“You’re wrong, Charlotte.”

My blindfold is wet. God, I hope he can’t tell I’m crying.

“Say it. Tell me you’re ...

“Why can’t you just say it, Charlotte? Why can’t you just admit how wonderful you are?”

“Because I’m not,” I sob. “I just mess everything up. I don’t deserve you. You think I’m so great now, but you’ll realize eventually that I’m not good enough, and you’ll leave me. Like everyone does.”

I’ve ruined everything. I’m sobbing, and it’s humiliating, and I’m sure he’s really done with me now. The room falls silent, and I’m shaking. A moment later, my blindfold is yanked off of my face, and I try to turn my tear-soak...

“Jesus, Char...

He takes my face in his hands and ho...

“Look at me,” h...

“You’re wrong,”

“Say it. Say you’re wrong.”

“I’m wrong,” I whisper.

“Louder,” he ...

“I’m w...

“Lou...

“I’m wrong!” I ...

“You’re mine,” he growls against the skin of my neck, and I lift my bound arms and wrap them around his head. “Forget everyone before me, Charlotte.

Just focus on me. I would have paid a million dollars for this hour with you. Do you hear me?”

“I’m addicted to you,” he groans while fucking me. “You were made for me, Charlotte. You’re mine, and I never want to let you go. Do you understand me? I’d fuck you forever if I could.”

“I wish you could,” I cry. Looking up into his eyes, I whisper, “I was made for you.”

“You’re not mad at me anymore, are you?”

“I was never mad at you, Charlotte. I just wish you could see what I see.”

“I wish I could too,”

Watching her, I realize…I love her. If this isn’t what love feels like, then it must not exist.

After twenty years of waiting, this is the one that has finally shattered the belief that I would never find this. Never find love. But I have…because of her.

And I want to tell her so badly right now, but I can’t. I refuse to make any more promises to this girl that I can’t fulfill. If I tell her I love her, it will only make her hope even more, and I’m crushing her already as it is.

“Do I seem happy?”