“Did you have other submissives?” I know he said he’s never collared anyone, but jealousy is a nasty bitch. I’d grabbed on so quickly to how he is different with me. I want to keep a hold of it.
He hesitates for a second, making my heart drop. My face must show it, because he finally answers me. “Never. Not one.”
“You don’t have to say that to make me feel better,” I whisper, looking up at him through my lashes, not wanting to make eye contact.
He grabs my face to make me look at him. “I hesitated because I wasn't sure how I should answer. Yes, I’ve played before, but it’s been years, and never here. Also, never more than once with the same person. I didn't want to tell you because, well, I don’t want to hear about any partners you’ve had before me. That thought makes me want to dig a few more of those holes out in the desert. I didn't want you to feel that; there’s no reason for you to. There hasn't been anyone since I laid eyes on you, and there wasn’t for a long time before that.”
Shit. I feel myself tumbling over the edge of this man, and I’m just going to let myself go. I want to reassure him too. “There is no one but you,” I tell him, and he gives me one of his rare smiles. I don’t think he gets that he’s my first everything, unless you count one terrible kiss when I was seventeen. Which I don’t.
“What do you want to do, kitten? You can lie here on the sofa while I work, or I can take you up to the room. I did install an eBook app on your phone if you want to read.”
“Stay here.”
Lifting me off his lap, he sits me down on the sofa. He walks over to his desk, grabs my phone and brings it back to me.
“Be good, kitten.” He goes back to work while I drink my champagne and play on my phone, syncing it up and looking at the books that I had pre-ordered and that have come in. When he isn't paying attention, I snap a pic of him and make it my screensaver. He asks me occasional questions about work, but the next thing I know, I’m being lifted into his arms.
“You fell asleep. I’m taking you to our room.”
I notice my shoes are strewn on the floor. “You can’t carry me through the casino.”
“It’s fine. The elevator is outside the door, and I’ll carry you wherever I like whenever I like.”
“But everyone will see.”
“They already saw when we kissed that night at the bar, and when I dragged you back here after the auction.”
“Yeah, but they could think that was—”
“Don’t say anything. Trust me. They know. I’ve never acted this way before.”
My stomach warms at his words. There it is again. I’m different. He’s different for me, with me.
Soon, he has me naked in our bed, and he’s cuffing one wrist to one of the posts.
“You’re leaving?”
“I’ll only be gone for a little bit. Sleep, and when I get home, I’ll wake you up in a way you’ll never forget.”
“But what if I need to get up before you get back?” I pull at the cuff to show I have no escape.
“If I see you wake, I’ll be here in minutes.”
“See me wake?” I can hear the shock in my voice.
“I always have eyes on you.”
“But that means…”
“That you played with yourself this morning, and I had to watch you moan my name while I was on a conference call with ten other people? Yeah, I saw that. You’re lucky I forgot to tell you that only I get to make you cum. Do it again and I’ll spank your ass.”
I can’t find the words to respond. I should be pissed and freaked out that he’s watching me, but all I feel is cherished.
“Sleep, kitten,” he whispers. And I do.
8
Charles
After my last meeting, I exit my office and head home. I don’t know that I’ve ever been this excited or happy to go home before. Knowing that Mandy is there waiting on me, I can’t get there fast enough. In reality, home was a place I avoided before. There was never anyone there, and although the quiet was a retreat, after meeting Mandy, I longed for her to be there. After the first moment I saw her, I would come home and just sit and think of her.
I’ve been watching her on the cameras the whole time I’ve been in meetings. She looked like she was starting to wake up, so it’s time I go home and take care of her. The feeling of knowing she’s there now, waiting on me, makes my heart beat a little faster and puts a spring in my step. I can’t help but feel the smile spreading over my face at my excitement. I can't remember the last time something held any excitement for me.
When I get to the elevator, the doors open and reveal Cupid. He looks at me for just a second before he smiles too. I drop my smile after that, not needing to add fuel to his fire.
“Mr. Townsend.” He does a little bow as I enter the elevator and slide my card for the penthouse.
“Cupid.”
“I had a wonderful day at the spa.”
I want to roll my eyes at his comment, but I just make a noncommittal hum.
“It’s too bad I missed Mandy. She was there one minute and then gone the next. I’m glad she was able to find you. Did you two have a pleasant afternoon?”
“We did.” My blood heats thinking about how she sneaked into my office. She wanted me bad enough to seek me out. She wants me as much as I want her, and now that she’s asked for it, I’m going to give her all of me.