“I thought I would surprise you,” I tell her. “I wanted to make sure you got your dress.”
I expect a smile, but instead she only nods and answers respectfully, “I did, and it’s beautiful. Thank you so much.”
My heart thuds once, then twice. Maybe this was a mistake. I run my hand through my hair, not knowing what the fuck to do. I don’t have a significant other for a reason.
“I’m sorry,” Arianna’s voice comes out small. “I should have texted you to thank you.”
My gaze travels over her entire body. She’s uncomfortable, but presenting herself. Just like the auction. There’s a small bit of paint on her elbow, and at first it looks like a bruise, but it’s definitely paint.
“Have you done any more artwork?” I ask her, trying to change the subject. I can’t leave her feeling like this. The gala is tomorrow and I don’t trust whatever’s going on in her head right now.
She nods her head, a bit of brightness lighting her dark green eyes. It makes my lips kick up into a smirk. “Let me see,” I tell her.
“Oh,” she takes a half a step back and bites her lip. “It’s not really done.”
My stomach drops at her confession, although she tries to back out of the excuse. “I can still show you,” she says apologetically.
“No,” I say and wave her concern away. “That’s fine. If it’s not done, I’ll wait.”
She nods her head and visibly swallows, awkwardness returning.
“I was just on my way to bed,” Arianna says quietly. “I’m just tired, really.”
“Alright then,” I tell her, taking the cue to leave and feeling like a fucking jackass. “I’ll head on out and go home.”
She’s a smart woman. She knows this isn’t real, and whatever connection we had at dinner is long gone. My blood runs cold at the thought. A frown settles on my face and refuses to budge. How did I fuck this up? I shake the thought away. There was nothing to fuck up. It was stupid for me to visit her.
I open the door, seeing myself out, but she’s quick to follow me. I stand in the open doorway. “I’ll be with Marcus around six to pick you up tomorrow.”
A small smile slowly grows on her lips and I’ll be damned, but my heart flutters with hope.
“Come here,” I say and cup my hand around the back of her head and bring her in for a kiss. My lips press against hers gently at first as she tilts her head and holds her body close against mine.
I'm just kissing my sweetheart goodnight.
A spark ignites between us as I deepen the kiss, letting my other hand roam down to her waist and pulling her even closer to me. The tip of my tongue slips between the seam of her lips and she parts them for me, moaning softly into my mouth and gripping my shirt in her hands. Electricity runs over every inch of my skin, a dark beast inside of me coming to life, wanting to hold onto her and not let go.
This is what we had before, and I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want to take another step away and never have this again.
“Hey,” my voice is low as I pull back from the kiss and grip her chin in my hand. Her eyes are still closed, as if she’s in a daze. I know I’m not the only one that feels this. “Are you alright?” I need to know. I don’t want to lose her again. “Did Brooks message you?” I ask her even though I know Danny’s not bothering her. Charles is still watching him and has his phone tapped. But something’s not right with her.
“I’m just not feeling well,” she tells me, although her eyes don’t hold my gaze.
“Is there something I can get you?”
“No,” she pulls away from me, holding the edge of the door, ready to close it. “I’ll be alright.”
I search her eyes and almost leave it be. I almost let her get away with brushing me off, but something comes over me. I push the door open wider and step back in. Arianna’s eyes open wider and she walks backward, letting me invade her space and close the door behind me.
“You’re mine, sweetheart,” I tell her with a voice I don’t recognize. “I need to take care of you.” I let the flood of images that have kept me awake at night fuel my desire to keep moving. “Do you want that?” I ask her.
“When’s the last time you got off?” I ask her, feeling my dick harden in my pants.
She turns to look behind her, swallowing and quickly answers. “My roommate is-”
“Get upstairs,” I cut her off. I know exactly what Arianna needs, and I’m not going to hold back when I can give it to her.
I follow her up the steps, that lush ass swaying as I unbutton my shirt.
Arianna talks quietly as she walks in front of me, leading me to her bedroom. “It’s just that I’m confused and I don’t know how to react to it all.” She opens her door and waits for me to walk in before closing it and locking the doorknob.
I don’t hesitate to remove my shirt as she turns around. “And…” she starts to say, but then pauses mid-sentence as her eyes take me in. My sweetheart definitely knows how to boost my ego.
“I’m your Master, aren’t I?” I ask her, taking the two strides to fill the space between us. “I do the worrying,” I say as I cup her chin. My thumb brushes along her lower lip as her green eyes search mine.
“You are?” she asks me, her breath coming up short.
“I want to be,” I say the words before I know how true they are. “Do you want me to be your Master, sweetheart?”
She nods her head once and whispers, “Yes.”
Chapter 16
Arianna
“You need to get off,” Zander says, his voice low and husky, his thumb resting on my lips. I stare into his piercing blue eyes, desire heating my core.
“I-I-I don’t think I can,” I stammer. I’m starting to feel so very hot, the heat from his hard body causing my temperature to rise, my heart pounding in my chest.
“You can,” Zander says firmly. “And you will.”
He caresses the side of my face gently, his touch causing my skin to tingle all over. I close my eyes at the sensation, reveling in the feel of his gentle touch against my skin. I want to do as he says. I want to please him. But I don’t know if it’ll be easy. I’ve always used pain to get my release. And...
Danny’s words play in my mind.
No matter whose collar you put on, I’m still your Master. And the only one to bring me pleasure is him. I can only have it through pain.
“Danny-” I begin to say. I need Zander to know.
“Isn’t your Master anymore,” Zander finishes for me. “I am. And I want you to get on that bed, spread your legs wide, and rub your pussy for me.”
The intensity of his words causes my pussy to clench, my nipples pebbling against the flimsy nightgown.
Zander says, “You’re wet for me already.” It’s not a question, but a statement of fact.
“Yes,” I whisper, my pulse quickening, my breathing ragged. My body is still and tense.
Zander's fingers trail back down to my lips. He presses his thumb against them, demanding entry. I part my lips, letting him gently place his thumb on my tongue. “Suck,” he commands me.