Page 46 of Bought

The thread of fear pulled tighter inside me. How did he do that? How could he read me so damn easily? He’d be furious if he knew the real reason I was here, and he’d kick me out faster than I could blink.

“Sorry, didn’t see the ‘no trespassers’ sign on the door.” I lifted my chin in challenge because what the hell? I hadn’t woken up in his bed so quite obviously he didn’t want me. “I need to find my purse so I can call myself an Uber.”

One black brow lifted. “And why would you do that?”

“Because you paid me for a night and now the night is over.”

His gaze roamed over me, sharp and assessing. “Did you want to say goodbye? Is that why you’re in my bedroom?”

I still couldn’t read him, not at all, and the nervous tension was almost killing me. I had to stay if I wanted my money, but I couldn’t have him being suspicious and yet he was. He wouldn’t allow himself to be distracted either, since my little sheet drop hadn’t worked.

Beg him. That worked yesterday.

I should, but I was already feeling vulnerable and couldn’t bear the thought of going down on my knees and pleading with him only to have him turn me away. And he was just standing there, being so fucking gorgeous and my brain wouldn’t work.

“No,” I said, unable to keep the husky note of uncertainty from my voice. “I…I mean, yes. I mean, I….” I trailed off as he took a slow step towards me, then another, and another, like a panther stalking me. That should have terrified me, should have made me reach for the can of mace that I normally carried everywhere with me. But it was him. And my fear was more complicated than simply being hurt. His gaze held me captive as he came closer and closer, hypnotizing me. I couldn’t have looked away even if I’d wanted to.

“You don’t want to say goodbye,” he said softly, coming to a stop in front of me. “That’s why you’re in here, isn’t it?”

I had to say something, give him something that wasn’t the actual truth, but near to it. Except he was so close, towering over me, making me feel small and fragile and delicate. Making me want to turn my face into his chest and inhale him the way I had last night, find that feeling of safety again.

But my brain wasn’t working and that spicy, peppery warm scent of his combined with his heat was making it difficult to think, to even breathe. Like I was drunk.

“Of course, that’s why I’m here.” I tried to shake off the effects of his presence. “I just need to—”

His hand came up and even though I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me, I was so keyed up that I flinched before I could stop myself.

Instantly he went still, a flicker of surprise crossing his face, closely followed by a bright flare of anger. Then he moved again, reaching out, his strong hands gripping my hips as he jerked me against him. “Who was the man who hurt you?” he demanded. “Tell me.”

My mouth had gone even drier than it already was, and I was cursing myself for what I’d given away. I hadn’t flinched like that in years and I had no idea why I had just then. Perhaps it was all the nervous tension in the room and me unsteady and off-guard because of him.

All of this was because of him.

His body was hot and hard against mine and I was caught by a desire to melt against him and let him do whatever he wanted to me that was so strong, I struggled to breathe.

“Why do you think it’s got anything to do with—”

“You flinched,” he interrupted. “You’ve been hurt, and I won’t have it, little sub. Do you understand? I won’t have anyone damaging or hurting my property.” There was a fierce look in his eyes, a cold fire that seared me down to the bone. But it wasn’t me he was angry with, I knew.

My throat ached. “I’m not your property.”

“Yes, you are.” His hands on my hips tightened. “I paid for you, and I took your virginity, and that makes you mine.”

“The night’s over and you didn’t wake me up.” The words escaped before I could stop them, my chest aching along with my throat. “So, I can’t be yours anymore.”

“But you want to be.” It wasn’t a question.

I couldn’t bear him to see how much I wanted it, so I tried to pull away, but his hand came up again, slower this time, and he took my chin in a powerful grip. “Look at me, little sub.”

Given no choice, I did.

“I have a proposition for you. I’ll pay you another five hundred thousand to stay for the entire weekend.”

I blinked in shock. “What? Another five hundred thousand? Just for spending the weekend with you?”

“Yes. Though, you won’t be ‘spending the weekend with me’. You’ll be my submissive, which is a different thing entirely.”

I swallowed. He did want me. He did. Still, though, be his submissive. For an entire weekend. Could I do that? Or, more importantly, was I up for that? Last night had been confronting and if I stayed the weekend with him, I could only expect more of the same.