Page 14 of Until I Own You

“And green is a powerful color. Even your softer designs encapsulate your artistic vision.”

I’ve never thought of myself as having an artistic vision.

One of the Doms emerges from the back room. The one I was watching just the other day. He’s wearing a harness today and pants so tight his junk is basically out.

“Heard there was a fashion show?”

“What do you think, Lex?” Morgona says. She grabs the front of the pants and rips them off, leaving her clad in a scandalous little thong.

Lex laughs. “Wow, those are amazing.” He looks at me. “You made those?”

The glint in his eye tells me he knows. He remembers me watching. However, his smile is affable and real.

“I did.”

“Damn, I want a pair…”

I shrug. “That can be arranged.”

Lex’s eyelids lower, and his smile goes from friendly to frustratingly charming.

Before I can reply, though, the girls start in on more conversation, questions I have to answer, details I need to point out. Deborah has me on my toes, but I can tell it comes from a place of confidence in me rather than trying to trip me up.

Amidst the conversations, I can’t help but notice the door to the Underground open.

Seth.

God, I can’t catch a break.

Since dinner went sour the other night, he has left me alone, thank god. Then again, I haven’t been in the same place with him, so he hasn’t had an opportunity to annoy me with his controlling antics.

Our eyes meet. I don’t smile. I don’t give him any indication I’m trying to be nice, which is hard for me as resident nice girl. As a sub with the need to please.

Seth looks away.

Though I’m glad he’s respectful of my coolness, I can’t lie. It hurts.

I wish it didn’t. However, it’s taken me ten years to push him away. It had to happen sooner than later.

He might blow my cover.

Or worse. I’ll be unable to resist him.

Seth goes over to the desk to talk to Hazel. Another appointment today? God, he really has no shame, does he?

“Bridget–” Deborah calls my attention.

I flip back to the task at hand. “Yes?!” I say with more urgency than the situation needs.

Deborah points to Penny and Morgona. “I want them to try on a couple more pieces.”

“Sounds great. Your call.”

The older woman furrows her brow, but I can’t manage control right now. Not when my nerves are starting to tremor, and my mouth is growing hot.

Jeez, just being in the same room with Seth is painful.

She doesn’t question me, though, and moves on with Penny and Morgona to pick out the next round of looks.