Of sorts.
Cameron nodded. “Before you sign, know this: What you’re facing if you talk isn’t a court battle or a prison sentence. It’s hell, like the Robertses could never imagine visiting on you. You, your family, every friend you have or could make in your lifetime, will be subject to the same hell. The people you’re facing are lawyers, doctors, senators, and military personnel. They’re members of organizations that run everything from NASA to the welfare system and beyond, in every nation of the world.”
She raised her gaze slowly. “Is that a threat of some sort, Cam?”
“It’s a promise.” He inclined his head coolly. “There are no state secrets, no national threats involved, but members of the club are from all sections of state and federal, and private enterprise. There are approximately five hundred members to date, though only a small percentage are here at any one time. You may at any time see those members. It’s our job to ensure their privacy, as well as their security here within the mansion.”
Her brows lifted. The agreement was that she understood the repercussions of divulging any information learned about the club and its membership, and that the repercussions would be harsh.
Her understanding was that she had the option of leaving, or accepting the position, with a full comprehension of those repercussions. In the statement, she would sign that she understood that the information wasn’t illegal, nor involved any information of state or national concern.
“If it’s not illegal, then what is it?”
“Sign the papers.” He nodded to the file. “You can still walk out once you sign, but the job isn’t yours until you have a complete understanding of the confidentiality required, and the punishment inherent in breaking it.”
It was simple enough. Clearly stated. She laid the file on the desk, accepted the pen, and signed it quickly, before pushing it back to him.
“Now, what’s so damned important about your precious club?”
“It’s a club for men who share their women. Their wives and lovers. A safe, protected group of men from which to choose the third in their bed and to ensure the secrecy of it. The club is a ménage club, Jaci, and it’s existed for two centuries without detection. Now, are you taking the job or walking out?”
She stared back at him in disbelief.
“You’re lying.” She couldn’t come up with any other response. The idea that any such club could exist without the newspapers and gossip rags getting hold of it was ludicrous.
Senators and NASA? Lawyers and doctors and military personnel? More than five hundred members, and no one leaked this information? Their wives especially. Women talked; she knew they talked. They gossiped like hell, and for some of them, their favorite topics of gossip was their sex lives—married or single.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” He shrugged as he took the file and shoved it in his desk. “There are no sexual games played out in the club itself. It’s just that, a club, a meeting place, and for many of the members abroad, much more convenient than a hotel—and much more secure. Within your position, you’ll come in contact with those members in and out of the club. We do nothing to risk knowledge of the membership, as many hold sensitive positions. They’ve been made aware of the job you’ll be doing, and should you see any of them here, you’re not to mention it outside the club. Period. Not to other members or anyone else. If you talk, I can’t protect you, nor can Ian and Courtney Sinclair.”
It was a good thing she knew how to keep her mouth shut.
“As long as they don’t bother me, I won’t bother them.” She shrugged. “But if I were you, I’d start steering a very wide path around me, because you and I, Cam, are going to come to blows.”
He stared back at her, dark, dangerous. His expression was hungry, intense.
“I’d never harm a hair on your head,” he said. “And there’s no turning back, Jaci. Last night ensured that.”
“You couldn’t even sleep with me,” she hissed furiously. “I woke up alone, Cam, without you, while you slept on the damned couch. Not happening again.” Her hand sliced angrily through the air.
He leaned back in his chair and watched as she stood before him. The feel of his eyes stroking over her sent her blood racing through her veins, and not just in anger.
The effect he had on her hadn’t dimmed. Maybe it had grown stronger, because she could feel the intent behind that look, could almost feel his possession from the night before, even now.
“I’m still so hard for you, I can barely walk.”
The words stole the strength from her legs. She gripped the edge of the desk and stared back at him as she fought to regulate her breathing.
There was no regulating it. She could feel her br**sts heaving, and she knew he could see his effect on her.
“Well, isn’t that too bad?” she spat bitterly. “See, I don’t believe in three strikes. As far as I’m concerned, strike one and you’re gone. Too bad so sad, hate it for you, Cam.”
His lips parted, his lashes lowered as he stared back at her. She could feel the intent behind the look, and the reminder of the effect those lips had on her. And then he smiled.
“I’m going to spank you until you come. Then, sweet Jaci, I’m going to kiss it all better,” he promised, and the promise sent a shower of heat exploding through the tender flesh between her legs.
She felt the dampness growing, her cl*t swelling, even her ni**les were so sensitive she could barely stand the lace bra that covered them.
“Don’t do this to me,” she finally whispered, releasing her hold on the desk and backing up. “You can’t even tolerate sharing a bed with me, and I can’t deal with that. If you ever cared anything for me, stay away from me before you really hurt me. Now, unlock that damned door and let me out of here.”
He reached beneath the desk, and a second later, the sound of the lock releasing echoed through the room. His expression hadn’t changed; if anything, his gaze was darker, hotter. There was nothing cold in his face now. It was heated with sensual promise and male demand.
She jerked her briefcase from where it had fallen to the floor and strode quickly to the door on shaking legs.
“Tell Courtney I’ll be back in the morning.” She didn’t turn as she jerked the door open. “Good-bye Cam.”