Page 35 of Forbidden Mistress

“You,” she spits, lunging at me. “You’re the reason he shut me out.”

She darts toward me so quickly the security guards can’t restrain her before she gets to me. With one hand around my throat, she half-falls into me, and the crowd parts like the Red Sea. I stumble backward into the wall, and now she’s practically on top of me.

“You won’t take him away from me,” she cries, and I see the torment in her eyes. If she weren’t currently trying to choke me out, I might actually feel bad for her.

With everything in me, I shove her mask forcefully against her face, until she has no choice but to release my throat. I stand up a little straighter and brace myself for her to lunge again. This time, someone pulls Willow’s elbow from behind, yanking her violently away from me. At first, I assume it’s one of the security guys, but once she’s flung a fair distance away, my line of vision clears and I see antlers framing a stag mask. Hart.

Somehow, he’s forceful without being cruel. It’s a delicate balance, but I can see the pure, undiluted anger seething behind his mask and in his stiff body language. He is completely focused on Willow. With one hand gripping her wrist, he touches the tip of his finger to the underside of her chin and tilts her head up.

“I will not tolerate this disobedience,” he tells her in a stern voice. Her breathing visibly quickens. Excitement flashes in her eyes, and I feel my own flash of jealous rage, but I ball my hands into fists and manage to keep it tamped down.

Hart drops her chin, then addresses one of the guards. “Take her downstairs to the Blue Room. I’ll be down in a moment.”

All three guards usher Willow down the hallway, and she goes willingly. But not without one last, smug glance at me. We both know Hart’s brand of punishment, and it’s a punishment we both crave. Fuck this shit. I will not share him with another woman. But she was here first, so obviously the problem is me. Maybe it’d just be easier for everyone if I just gracefully bow out. I honestly don’t want to be the reason for someone’s mental breakdown. Who needs that kind of drama? Definitely not me. With Liam back in town and this whole fight over the family company succession, I’ve got enough drama of my own, thanks.

With nothing left to see, the crowd dissolves. Hart approaches me. I can see the line of his jaw, and it’s clenched tight. His eyes rove over me, and he reaches out to touch my neck. I flinch, taking a step back.

“Did she hurt you?” he asks, his voice thick with concern.

I shake my head and glance down at my feet. It takes me a second to gather my thoughts, and when I do, I meet his intense gaze. “This is all a little too much for me. Maybe we should—”

“Don’t,” he says forcefully, interrupting me. He unlocks the room door and pushes it open. “Come inside. We’ll discuss it.”

I pull a deep breath into my lungs and stare at the door for a hot second. If I step over that threshold, I’m going to let him fuck me. As much as I want to think of myself as a bad bitch who isn’t that weak, I know, deep down, I have a soft spot for Hart and his fathomless dark eyes.

Fuck my life.

Chapter 14

Possession

With a hard swallow, I step into the room. Hart follows, shutting and bolting the door behind him. We’re completely alone. The chaos of the world is on the other side of that door, but in here, we’re protected. Alone. Enveloped in our little sanctuary.

I turn to face him. He’s wearing a black T-shirt that hugs his biceps, black slacks, black boots, and his stag half-mask—the one that ends just below his nose, exposing his mouth. Heat instantly engulfs me. I know what that means. He intends to use his mouth today—and I can’t help but wonder what he has planned.

“What could you possibly have to say? This obviously isn’t going to work.”

He steps up to me. “You don’t tell me what works between us and what doesn’t,” he says quietly, but forcefully. “I know your needs. It is for you to trust me.”

I clench my jaw and fold my arms over my chest. “M’kay, but one of my needs is to not be choked out by your ex-sub.” I use air quotes on those last two words, because who knows if she’s actually his ex? And there’s spice in my tone. I can’t help it. What just happened wasn’t cool. Not even a little.

I can see the tension in his shoulders. He’s wound tight, and I have no idea what will happen when he finally snaps. He has that dangerous energy about him. I make a note to tread carefully.

“She will be dealt with.”

I sigh and look away. “Yeah, I don’t know. Maybe Willow is right. Maybe I have no right being here. You’ve been her Dom for a year. Of course, she’s pissed about me and you. Who wouldn’t be?”

He takes me by the arms, and I don’t even try to flinch away from him. I don’t have the energy.

“Willow always knew our arrangement was transactional, no emotions. We were not in a relationship. I was quite clear about that.”

I sigh. “Unfortunately, I don’t think she got that memo. She was wrecked. I—” I shake my head. I don’t want to be the person responsible for causing that kind of heartache.

“I’ll speak with her. Later.” His hands slide down my arms, then move to my hips and around to my ass. He splays his fingers possessively there and tugs me into him. “Right now, all I’m thinking about is you.”

The low timbre of his voice vibrates through me, instantly igniting my desire. I swallow and try to keep my head. “Considering this mess with Willow, maybe we should lay down terms.”

He laughs a little under his breath. “What terms are needed? I’ve made you mine…for three months.”

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