Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“Fair enough,” he says, owning the status of business fucking prick.
“Maybe a hundred times better!”
God!
“Let’s go to Tobias,” he says. I swallow hard.
I want to like the man I’ll spend the next two months with. But I can’t.
He’s only a means to an end.
I’ll maintain my control. I’ll play it safe. I’ll focus on the money that’s coming to me and how that will make my life easier.
How funny that he thinks he actually has to give me rule number six.
Fall in love with him? I don’t even like him.
“Will we have our own safeword?” I ask him. He’s straightening up the bed, then picks up his phone and glances at it. When he responds, he’s distracted, and I already feel dismissed.
“We don’t need our own safeword,” he says. “We’re not a real couple. Scening here is good enough, so the club safeword will do.”
And somehow, that stings.
It was silly of me to hope that he actually did like me. To even entertain that thought is so damn dangerous, I can’t allow myself to go there. He doesn’t like me at all, he likes control and a hot little pussy to stick his arrogant dick into.
Whoa. Geez, this guy brings out the most venomous thoughts.
True, though, my inner voice counters.
Is it so bad to be used by a hot guy like him and paid generously? There are a lot worse things I could do for that money and Verge is safe.
Safeish.
Jesus, I need mental help.
“Okay,” I tell him. “Apple it is.”
Opening the door, he gestures for me to go out first, a bored expression on his face. I exit the room, stepping as far away from him as I can, but in one firm stride, he’s got my hand in his massive one, and hell if I don’t like how that feels. God, I wish I didn’t.
It’s okay. Just pretend. Just for now. Enjoy what you can, I tell myself.
So, I do. I walk by his side with my hand in his, painfully aware of every eye on us as we walk past the dungeon and into the main bar area. To my surprise, couples swarm around us like we’re celebrities, but Liam dismisses each one with a frown and flick of his palm.
“Not now,” he says, like he’s used to dealing with paparazzi and news crews. Hell. I guess he is. I catch Travis’s eye at the bar, and to my shock, he actually winks at me and gives me a thumbs up. I can’t help but giggle at that, which earns me a sidelong look of disapproval from Liam, but whatever.
“What’s so funny, little girl?” he asks.
“Oh, nothing,” I tell him. And it isn’t anything, really.
But Tobias isn’t in his office. When we reach the front, Liam’s car is already waiting.
“I’ll talk to Tobias. You go home and get some rest,” he instructs. “Your first class tomorrow is when?”
“Ten,” I tell him.
“Be in my office by nine,” he instructs. “Manuel will take you home. I’ve just messaged him to come.”
Wait. “You’re not coming?” I ask. Why does that make my heart sink?
I hate him. I don’t need him to escort me anywhere.
“I’m staying here tonight,” he says, giving me a look that’s cold and distant. “Go home. In the future, when you’re in bed, I want you to text me.”
“Okayyyyy...But you know, you can’t boss me around quite yet,” I tell him.
A corner of his lip quirks up, and I can’t tell if that’s a victory for me or not. I blink in surprise when he sits on the little loveseat in the main lobby and tugs me onto his knee. God, it feels good sitting on his lap, even if I do hate him.
“I’m too heavy for this,” I protest. I’m no waif, but he’s a pretty big guy. His only response is a sharp crack to my ass.
“Hey!”
“Remember that first night you made a comment about your body, little girl?” He’s brushing the hair off my neck. I shiver.
“Liam,” I say, and this time I’m pleading. The up and down of my emotions is making me fairly nauseous. “Why do you call me a little girl? I’m not a little girl at all.”
“Would you prefer little one?” he asks, the angry edge of his voice gone. Oh, God, I can’t take it when he goes all gentle on me. It’s so much harder to hate him then.
“Little one?” I ask him. “That’s…Well…” my voice trails off. I’m not sure how to respond. I don’t know what it is, but it makes me feel… I don’t know. Warm and safe and… vulnerable.
“You like it,” he says, drawing me to his chest. “Don’t you, little one?”
“I do,” I admit. “When we… play here… will you call me that?”
“That and so much more,” he says. His watch lights up, and too soon, he pushes me gently off his knee.