Page 109 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Let me make love to you, Master.” He groans in reply, reluctantly loosening his grip long enough for me to stand and shimmy out of my jeans and panties. Straddling him once more, I lower myself slowly onto his cock, taking all of him and giving all of me.

“Celest…” My name is a litany of worship as he repeats it, letting me slowly move, setting the pace with reverence to him in return. I love this man with all I have and all that I am, and I’m going to make sure I can become a partner and a submissive worthy of his love.

As our tongues twist and tangle, our souls mesh, and I know I’m going to have to tell him everything, but not tonight. Tonight, I want him to feel my love and know that I’mhis.

Chapter 21

CELEST

Life is pretty damn wonderful right now. I didn’t understand what I needed, but Flex did. He’s lying on my couch right now with Gracie draped over him, watchingBeauty and the Beastfor the fourteenth time. The poor man is a saint.

“He’s so mean,” Gracie pouts as the beast roars in Belle’s face.

“You’re so right,” Flex agrees. “He needs some anger management classes.”

“What’s angler mamgent?” She stares up at him with the same adoration I do. It took me long enough to see it, but I am head-over-heels in love with Flex.

He looks at me with the cutest look on his face. “Are you serious? You made the best human.”

“I know.” My eyes well with tears. Seeing Flex and Gracie become thick as thieves is amazing and terrifying at the same time. If I get my heart broken, so will she. There is no doubt in my mind that she loves Flex to bits. Heck, she drops me like a hot potato when he’s around, which is often.

“You don’t need to worry about anger management, little bear. I’ve got you.”

She snuggles in closer, resting her head on his chest as theycontinue to watch the rest of the movie. I’m overcome with emotion and excuse myself to the kitchen for a few moments. I’ve never seen Gracie with a father-like figure, and it warms my heart to see them together.

I am trying to live in the moment as best I can, but I’ve spent so many years waiting for the next bad thing to come and ruin my life. I’m scared to believe that I may get my happily ever after. That maybe I already have it in this house, right now, with the people I love most in the world.

“Are you okay, darling?” My mom startles me from behind.

I quickly wipe my eyes. “I’m fine.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. I’m just being silly.”

“Gracie loves him a lot.” Nothing gets past my mom.

“Yep. She’s never had that kind of male influence in the house. I feel so guilty that she doesn’t have a daddy, but I don’t expect Flex to fill that role. This is all new, and I don’t want to scare him away.”

“That boy isn’t going anywhere. Anyone with eyes can see that he’s madly in love with you. Stop living in fear, Celest.”

“How do I tell him about my past? It’s not a time in my life that I’m proud of. I put myself in danger, I was a terrible daughter for years, and then when Gracie came along, I wanted to be a better person for her.”

My mom pulls me into her arms. “You tell him when the time feels right. Until then, just enjoy what you have. You’re a wonderful mother and a daughter I am proud to call mine. Yes, you’ve been through a lot, but look at you now. You have a career, a roof over your head, a daughter who thinks you hung the moon, and a man who wants to love you the way you deserve.

“What if he leaves when I tell him everything? I love him so much.”

“Hey. Sorry to interrupt. Are you okay, pet? You left the room, and I was a little worried.” Flex stands in the doorway, his hair disheveled from Gracie giving him a gully—that’s what Gracie calls giving you a head rub.

My mom makes a quick exit. “I’m going to get Gracie bathed,and then you can watch the last of the movie if she can keep her eyes open.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

The moment my mom is out of the room, Flex takes her place, wrapping his arms around me. “What’s wrong, pet?”

“Nothing. I’m just happy. Happy tears.”

“Why?”

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