Page 256 of Hateful Games

“Good. Tell the team to meet me in the conference room in ten minutes.”

Nodding, she leaves.

Settling down, I start my day by responding to emails I neglected the past week. Most are progress reports on currently running projects while the latest ones are about the organizational issues in the venture with Mihir. None make me suspicious.

Afterward, I walk to the conference room and sort out the issues they’re facing. Mostly concerns related to the recent data breach. By the time our discussion ends, it’s around one in the afternoon.

My phone buzzes in my pocket when I’m walking back to my office.

A smile pulls at my lips when it’s a text from Rosalie.

ROSE: Why am I not surprised you kept them?

Below it is the photo of my little surprise for her. They’re more of a souvenir. On the bed, lined side by side are the masks I wore over the years. All nine of them, including the one I wore when I stole her virginity.

I kept them all.

Instead of replying, I video call her. She picks up on the first ring. A black-and-red skull mask fills the screen. Her red bedridden curls peeking from behind.

“Hi,” Rosalie cutely mumbles.

“Is this your way of saying I should fuck you in this next?”

Her stunning face appears, lips pursed, but a blush darkens her cheeks. Talking dirty affected her.

“Is sex only ever on your mind?” she teases.

“Sex with you is always on my mind.”

Blush darkening, she rolls her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be in a meeting or something?”

“I just came back from a very long meeting,” I answer, relaxing in my chair. “Did you just wake up?”

“No.”

I raise one eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“Alone?”

Her eyes perk up adorably and she flips the camera toward the unmade bed. Maggie, Fire, and Bunny sitting on top. Rosalie says to them, “Say hii! Your girlfriend’s back, Fire.”

I throw my head back in laughter.

When I focus at the phone, Rosalie is back.

“He says come home soon.”

“Just him?” My voice is a teasing murmur.

Her gaze softens as a small smile lifts her bee-stung lips. “Your wife too.”

The rush hearing those sweet words bring is indescribable. Warmth spreads through my chest, expanding to my heart that has never beat for another woman as hard as it does for Rose. If she keeps giving me little pieces of her, it won’t be long before it completely and irrevocably becomes hers.

“How sore are you, Rose?”

“Deliciously so.” Mischief flickers. “You’ll be lucky if I let you near me anytime soon.”

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