Page 74 of He Will Come for Me

Clara dressed me in a red satin dress with spaghetti straps. The bodice is tight and held up by the criss-cross in the back that ties into a bow in the middle of my back. The skirt flares out and shows off my legs. I actually had a fun time getting ready with Clara’s help. Since I had to get ready so quickly, she straightened my hair while I did my makeup. I take one last glimpse in the mirror, happy with what I see.

I wish I didn’t feel excited. I wish I could shut my emotions off. I wish this was a normal relationship. Why am I looking forward to tonight? I’m setting myself up to be hurt again, but I can’t seem to stop it. Will we have sex again tonight? I shake myhead as I walk down the last few steps. Don’t do this to yourself, McKenzie.

Phoenix is waiting at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes rake over me as I descend each step. He extends his hand when I reach the last step. I take it as I step down, my heart beating rapidly at the look in his eyes. It’s almost like he wants to eat me. He pulls me against his chest. I inhale sharply. “You look gorgeous, love.”

His lips graze mine. I want it to be more, but he pulls back before it becomes more. His thumb brushes my chin before he hands me a mask. I stare at it. It’s different from the one I wore before.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper. I run my fingers over it. It’s silver with a black attachment to the top that resembles a tiara with a silver jewel.

“I’m glad you like it.” He doesn’t say anything else as he places his hand on my lower back and guides me out of the house. Had he planned on taking me all along?

Chapter 35

Tonight we stand in the line to be greeted by the host. It gives me a chance to see the interactions between each couple. There are quite a few people here alone as well. The majority of them are wearing black masks, but some are wearing red and black masks.

“What do the red and black masks mean?” I ask Phoenix. He pulls me close to his side, his lips grazing my forehead. Why can’t he be like this at home?

“It means they share. So, the other couples here wearing red and black will ask one of them to join.” My muscles tighten. I remember seeing those at the auction he hosted, but I was so nervous about what was going to happen later that night, I didn’t think to ask.

“Ummm… do you—”

“Absolutely not,” he interrupts me, turning me so I face him. His eyes are full of an intense heat and something more. Possessiveness? “I don’t share, love.” He tips my chin up with his index finger and leans down until his mouth is a ghost over mine. “You’re mine. Don’t forget that.”

He seals his declaration with a hard kiss. It’s short, but he makes his point. He pulls away before I’m ready for him to, but the line is moving again. It’s a long receiving line, but Phoenix distracts me like last time. He keeps me in front of him, my back to his chest. His hard cock pressing into the small of my back.

Every few minutes, his mouth will skim along the column of my throat, shoulder, or the back of my neck. Will he sleep with me again tonight? I don’t know how to feel about this. We’ve barely had any interactions, but I can’t deny how my body is responding to him. He pulls me tight against him as he takes my earlobe into his mouth.

“Are you wet for me, pet?” I swallow as his hand trails from my waist, up my torso, and stops between my breasts. He stretches his thumb to circle my hard nipple. I lick my lips as I push my hips back, grinding against him.

He grunts quietly in my ear. I get nervous at the thought of people seeing or watching. Glancing around us, I notice others are more focused on the person they’re with.

“Nix,” I gasp when he pinches my nipple.

“Do you know how long I’ve wanted you?” His lips trail down from my ear to the top of my shoulder, leaving goosebumps along the way. “I tried to fight it. The amount of times I wanted to bend you over one of those tables in the library? Countless.” He rocks against me like he’s imagining it.

He thought about me like that? I want to beg him to take me somewhere and take me exactly how he imagined back then, but we’re next in line and before I’m ready, we’re being greeted.Phoenix pulls back slightly, but keeps me in front of him. Maybe to hide his erection.

“Phoenix,” the gentleman greets him, softly. He’s wearing a traditional black tuxedo with a gold mask and the woman greeting with him is wearing a black ball gown with silver embroidery and a silver mask. She smiles meekly, her eyes glassy. Every time the gentleman touches her, she sways away slightly.

“Lucas,” Phoenix greets him in return before leading me toward their ballroom. We sit toward the back at the end of an aisle. When we’re seated, I cross my leg, and he puts a possessive grip on my exposed thigh.

“You okay, pet?” I nod as I take a nervous glance around. I spot the woman who was wearing a navy dress at our auction. Even with a mask on, she’s easily recognizable. She’s glaring at me again. What did I do to this woman that she’s looking at me like that? I almost say something to Phoenix, but decide against it.

The hosts walk in, the man’s grip on the woman tight. “She doesn’t like him,” I whisper.

“Not many people do,” Phoenix replies. My heart hurts at the thought of it. She’s stuck with him day in and day out. There’s no telling what he does to her.

“Will they…” I trail off. Phoenix turns to me, giving me his full attention.

“Yes, he bought her at the same auction I bought you and he’s part of the council.” That’s why he addressed him by name. I pull my lip between my teeth, wanting to save her. He rubs his thumb along my chin, up my jaw, and grips the back of my neck. “Try not to think about it, pet. It will only make you sick.” How does he do this so often?

“I don’t want to watch.”

He pulls my forehead against his.“We won’t. We’ll leave as soon as the auction is over.” My shoulders slump and I exhale. “Then we’ll go to one of my restaurants and have dinner and some drinks.” I lift my hand to cup his cheek. Hope unfurls in my chest. Other than the auctions, he hasn’t done anything with me outside of the house. Is it possible for this to be more? As much as I hate hoping again, I can’t deny that I do.

“What about the person you plan on bidding on?” I want to know more about this person.

“Rex will take care of them.” He doesn’t expand further, so I drop it for now.

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