Page 16 of Until I Own You

I crouch down to the floor, level with his dick. My heart pounds as I place the measuring tape at the top of the inside of his thigh, mere centimeters away from his package.

“Don’t make it too roomy in the crouch,” Lex says. “I like the challenge.”

Okay, Lex might kill me. He really might–

“What’s going on?” Seth voice comes from close behind me.

I look up over my shoulder. He’s abandoned the front desk in lieu of confrontation. “I’m measuring Lex for a pair of pants,” I say with an innocent air. “Is there a problem?”

Seth’s jaw tightens, and his usually bright blue eyes darken.

As he stares down at me, I feel smaller and smaller.

Overwhelmed by his power. His dominance.

Dear god. I’m panting. And it’s not because I’m close to Lex’s cock.

I’m at the mercy of Seth’s gaze.

And that alone has made me wet.

This isn’t good. Not at all.

“Get up off the ground, Bridget. You’re making a fool of yourself.”

Seth’s words compel me to obey. As I stand, I try to tell him to leave me alone, not to talk to me. But I can’t.

“You don’t have to speak to her like that, Carlton,” Lex says. “Alright? We’re all just here to have a good time.”

“Are we?” Seth asks.

I keep my eyes downcast. The annoying tickle of tears is beginning.

Why is he doing this to me?

But beyond the shame, there is something I…I crave. I crave being under his control. It’s why I’ve had to push him away. When he checks on me, tries to rein me in, it makes me feel like he cares.

Like he might want me.

Like he is my master.

What a silly thought, though. The truth is he’s just an asshole.

Before I can answer Seth’s question, Penny and Morgona reemerge from the back in new outfits. I don’t have the wherewithal to clock what they are. I’d just like to get out of here to deal with these swirling feelings of shame and want.

“I really like this one,” Penny says with a bold grin.

Before I can respond, Seth abandons our conversation, goes to Penny, and grabs her by the wrist. She lets out a gasp of laughter. “I’m already booked, Master Carlton.”

“Not anymore,” he growls.

As they walk away, Penny looks over her shoulder at me with an apologetic smile.

I swallow back the jealousy, except it sits at the base of my throat, threatening to make me sick.

“What a jackass,” Deborah says. “But I guess it does the job. I mean, he pounced on her.”

I force a smile. “Yes. Yes, he did.” I wish now with all my heart I wasn’t a good designer. I wish I couldn’t manage more than a paper bag.

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