Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Not like when Nick touched me.
Not like the soft burn I felt whenever we’d sit in the lounge, ignoring one another while reading. Not like the tingle whenever he’d forget himself and smile at me at work. Not like the overwhelming wildfire when he’d kissed me for the first time or the absolute evisceration of my soul when he’d branded me with a flogger, then sank inside me like a beast.
All my confidence that I could exist without him popped like dirty bubbles.
My enjoyment fizzled.
My bravery failed.
I fought the urge to tug my hand back all while I pasted a smile on my face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Nerves wriggled in my tummy.
I should just go home.
He’s not coming...
Holding onto my hand, Rhodes murmured, “So...this is your first night?”
“Uh-huh.” I swallowed hard; rising anxiety made me sweat. “I mean...yes. Sorry. I do know how to speak.”
“Nervous?” He chuckled.
I dipped my chin again, unable to withstand his intensity. “Terribly.”
He groaned low and dark. “You should know...bowing your head at a Dom is both an honour and a tease.” He swayed away from me as if putting some distance between us, even while squeezing my hand. “Is Ella your sponsor for tonight?”
“Sponsor?”
“I found her as she arrived,” Ella said (still so strange). “I’ve taken her under my wing and told her we won’t bite.”
“Won’t bite. Much.” Rhodes winked, sending me flinching with nerves.
What would I do if he asked me to be his? Was that a thing? How did this work? Would he ask me to be with him so soon? Was I expected to say yes if I was unattached and propositioned? How did I tell him what my limits were? What were my limits? Would he expect to fuck me bare, or were there rules in place for health and safety?
Oh God.
What if he wants to share?
What if he wants to—
“Ella.”
I froze into a million tiny crystals. Glittering. Fracturing. Cracking.
That voice.
That gruffness.
That command.
I didn’t turn.
I couldn’t.
Every part of me locked into place as another growl slipped into my ears.
“Let go of him. Now.”
Other Ella scowled and twisted to face Nick. Her gorgeous black dress whispered over the floor as she stepped toward him. “And you are?”
My ears throbbed for his reply.
My heart didn’t dare hope...
And then...the sweetest, most wonderful word.
Just one.
The best one.
“Hers.”
Pulling my fingers from Rhodes’, I turned to face Nicholas.
My heartbeat thundered as our eyes locked, hazel to blue, and I swayed as if I’d drunk a hundred glasses of champagne. “Nick...”
His jaw clenched. His entire body flinched.
My gaze ran all over him.
From his black jeans to his white t-shirt and rolled-up sleeves of his plaid blazer.
He wore the exact same outfit he did when he’d found me in Hunter’s arms and begged to share me.
And I knew.
Suddenly.
Completely.
Just how much that request would’ve cost him.
Just how hard that would’ve been to plead for one night to fuck me, all while knowing he’d have to watch me with another man.
The now familiar syrupy cloud of obedience slipped over me, quietening my worries, blanketing my questions. I turned empty. Empty apart from sensation and connection and the unfightable desire for him to take away all my control.
I longed for it.
Begged for it.
Came alive within it...
He didn’t move.
He didn’t have to.
Dropping his chin, his brows shadowed his lethally furious eyes as he said, “Come here.”
Deep.
Dark.
Rough.
Raspy.
The perfect voice.
The perfect man.
The perfect command.
I went without a second thought.
I let biology rule me instead of intellect. I became the pagans that Rhodes had mentioned and willingly climbed upon an altar to worship the stars and planets, elements and magic because being a witch was so much better than being a disciple. Being free to live life the way I chose instead of following the paths of so many others.
I moved like water to him.
I burned like fire before him.
I sucked in air as he nodded his approval.
I sank to the earth as he pointed at his feet.
Four elements.
Four powers.
One choice.
Kneeling before him, I waited. I didn’t look up at the men and women gathering around us. I didn’t care if this was usual or frowned upon. We were in a sex club, but I hadn’t seen such blatant ownership in this main bar.
Perhaps these power dynamics were saved for more private quarters.
Maybe we broke all the rules and would be asked to leave.
I didn’t know.
He didn’t know.
But it didn’t stop Nick from bending down and cupping my chin, forcing my eyes up, my lips to part, my heart to race.
“Did you want to stay and find a man who will love you as well as bruise you?”
I licked my dry lips. “No, Sir.”
“Did you want to stay and belong to someone else? Someone who could probably care for you better than me. Someone who isn’t afraid like me.”
“No, Sir.”
“Do you want someone who can give you a life, even though he doesn’t know how long that will be?”