Page 28 of Mark & Don't Tell

Holding up my hand, I say, “Stop.” He goes completely still, and I raise my eyebrows. Wow. That worked.

He shakes his head. “What? Surprised I actually listened?”

Honestly, no. He doesn’t strike me as the type to ignore a safe word, and he’s been nothing but gentle with me. I mean, yes, I’m covered in bruises, but I wanted them. I wanted his marks. What I mean is, he took care of me last night, making sure I knew how much he appreciated me playing with him, holding me until my heart was so full it almost burst. But even still. This can’t be a thing.

“We already almost got caught,” I tell him quickly. “What would have happened if Alejandro saw me?”

His fists clench at his side. “I don’t know,” he admits.

“And do you think Letti or my dads would approve of this?” I gesture between us.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he looks away. “I get it. You don’t want this.”

What? How can he say that after everything? His shoulders bunch together, so at odds with the confident beta he was just moments ago, when I was on my knees in front of him.

I step toward him and put my hand on his chest. “Of course, I want this.”

He looks at me, his expression guarded. His heart hammers against my palm, almost like he’s nervous. “What are you saying, then?”

Searching his face, I try to muster the courage to tell him it’s over, that it can’t go any further, but I can’t. Not when he’s looking at me like I’m about to break his heart. Not when I’m already dying to kiss him again. Not when I’m desperate to know more about him. “I’m saying we have to be careful.”

Surprise flashes over his features, but it’s quickly replaced with a smug grin. “You want to be my dirty secret, Daria?” The way he says my name stokes desire, and I have to hold myself back to keep from slamming my mouth against his.

“No,” I tell him with a smirk. “I want you to be mine.”

His hands cup my face, and he teases his lips over mine. “It’s cute when you think you’re in control.” And before I can snap back that I am, he crushes his mouth to mine and steals my sanity once again.

When we break apart, he lets me go and takes a quick step back. “You need to go.”

I don’t question it, because we’re both teetering on the edge of being out of control.

“Bye, Vicente.” I slowly back away, unable to tear my gaze from his. He’s intoxicating, and I’m not sure I understand this strange feeling. All I know is, it’s addicting and I’m not ready to give it up.

“I’ll find you soon, little doe.”

A shiver runs down my spine.

God, I hope so.

Eleven

DARIA

I half expect Vic to show up at my apartment, but by Wednesday morning, disappointment settles in my gut. It’s been days since we saw each other, and while I’ve been busy mocking up various campaign ideas for Good Vibes, my mind has been on him the whole time.

Staring at my tablet while I finish my coffee, I study the various designs I came up with and count all the ways Vic shows up in them. The first ad is a pretty woman, lips slightly parted as she gazes up at whoever is clutching her jaw. A collar, much like the one Vic put around me, sits prominently around her throat. It’s a little aggressive, which is why I have more than one option.

The second is of a woman in back-seamed tights as she walks toward her lover on the bed, a knot ring dangling from her finger. The third is of two men, one with his eyes shut and mouth gagged as the other wraps his arms around him from behind, gaze boring into the camera, almost like Vic’s gaze met mine in the mirror at the club. There are a couple more ideas with various toys and accessories, but the design messaging is consistent.

Sensual, safe, exploration.

I place my coffee cup in the sink to wash later and grab my things, checking myself in the mirror by the door. A cute skirt and a dark green blouse with a high neck. The marks on my skin are slowly fading. Good Vibes is all about sexual exploration, but I don’t want the executives focused on my hickeys.

I avoid the landlord and make it to work with a few minutes to spare. My heels click over the tile as I head to the elevator. Pressing the button, I take deep breaths and run through my pitch again, even though I have it memorized.

“Worried you’ll choke?” Arnold asks, bumping into me.

I wobble slightly and glare at him. “What the fuck, asshole?”

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