Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
I glanced around the empty space, my mind trying to grasp what was happening.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “There’s no way.”
His eyes flashed with an almost primal determination. “It’s a great idea. You’ll be able to have art showings here and get some good exposure in the community. People will want to see what you have to offer.”
“I don’t have the money to do any of this,” I said. “This is too much,” I said, shaking my head as I backed toward the door. “I can’t accept this, Locke.”
“Why not?” His eyes darkened.
“This breaks all of the rules. You can’t just give me an art studio,” I said, backing away from him. “It’s not right.”
He smirked. “Last I checked, I made the rules.”
I couldn’t tell if it was the look on his face, or if it was my own racing heart, but I felt like I was going to throw up.
“I can’t believe you leased this place for me.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t. I bought the entire building. It’ll be a good investment. You will be a good investment,” he said, stalking toward me. “You’re going to go far with your art. I know it.”
“Locke—”
His hands were on my body before I could even think to move away. “I know you want to support yourself. I know you don’t want to be a kept woman as you put it. I understand all of that. But I also know you don’t love working the harbor or serving rich fucks. If you did, I’d step away and let you do what you love. But I know you hate every second of it. I’m simply telling you to follow your dream. Reach for it.”
I pushed him back. “No, Locke. This is crazy!”
“I don’t care,” he said, pulling me into his arms and kissing me. “Be crazy.”
He tasted like desire. Like sin. I couldn’t think straight when his lips were on me. I couldn’t fight it. I wouldn’t fight it.
The sound of his phone interrupted us. He pulled away, the longing clear in his face as he looked at me. He took a deep breath, and I could see the restraint in his eyes. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and glanced down at the screen, before looking back at me.
“I have to go take care of this,” he said, kissing me lightly on the lips. “You think about what I said. We can talk about it tonight.”
“Tonight?”
He smirked. “I’m taking you to The Vault. There’s another Heathens party to kick off The Hunt this weekend.”
My eyes widened. “What? Why?”
“Seems only fair. I’m expecting you to allow me into this part of your life. Your new business, your new future. It only makes sense to allow you to enter my world too.”
I nodded, trying to catch my breath. If I was still alive when he got back, I was sure it would be a miracle. I felt as if I was going to have a heart attack.
He touched my cheek with his hand, and for a moment, I forgot my own name. “I’ll see you soon.”
I stood there in the empty space for a long time, trying to figure out what had just happened. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I had a decision to make.
For once in my life, I could forget about everything but my own happiness. For once in my life, I could do what I wanted, and not what I had to. For once in my life, I was being given the opportunity to chase my dreams.
It was unnerving. The thought of being able to start a life without fear, without worry, without the constant need to survive.
And that scared the hell out of me.
Chapter 28
Storee
“If we go inside, then there are rules for you to follow. My rules,” Locke said near my ear, his breath hot against my skin.
I nodded eagerly, willing to agree to anything if it meant he’d let me enter his sex club that I had been forbidden to attend before. I wasn’t going to question his change of heart. The fact that I was finally being granted access to the club was too exciting to dwell on for long.
“And if you break my rules,” he added, “there will be consequences.”
My heart skipped and I swallowed hard. A smart woman would have questioned the word ‘consequences’ but my curiosity and need to enter the club took over.
He turned to face me, his eyes darkening with lust. “My first rule,” he said, his voice low and raspy, “is that you will obey my every command. You will do everything I tell you to, without question or hesitation. Do you understand?”
I nodded, feeling a thrill run through me.
“Good,” he said. “Because tonight, you will be mine. Completely and utterly. And if you dare to disobey me, you will be punished.”