Page 57 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Can we talk about this when we’re walking to lunch? I’m about to get on an elevator full of people?”

“Just get your sexy little ass down here, pet, or I’m coming up to get you.”

“Yes… Flex.” Shit. I know I’m going to pay for that one, but I can’t be calling him ‘Master’ when a number of my colleagues are in earshot.

“Your ass is going to be sore when you sit back down at your desk this afternoon.”

“I’m getting in the elevator now. I’ll be there in one minute.”

“You’ll be nine minutes late by then. Whatever your punishment, rest assured you will endure it nine times, pet.”

I step into the busy elevator and drop my hand to my side as the doors close, but I don’t hang up the call. I’ll never hear the end of it from Flex. We are whisked down to the ground floor in a matter of seconds, and my stomach is in knots as my nerves take over.

The moment the doors open, I see Flex leaning up against the marble walls, his flawless features marred by the furrow of his brow. I have the good sense to lower my gaze as I walk to his side. I expect him to chastise me, but instead, he cups my face and kisses me like we’re the only two people in the world right now. By the time he relinquishes his hold on me, I’m gasping for breath and desperatefor more.

“Hello, pet.”

“Hello, Master.” I keep my voice low, and thankfully, he doesn’t pull me up about it. He knows that life outside of the club can’t be exactly the same. I’ve heard stories about Naddie and Dalton. That she has and does refer to him as Master when necessary. That’s just crazy to me. I’ll take off my clothes, drop to my knees, and beg my Master within the confines of Venom, but not here.

He drapes his arm possessively over my shoulder, pulling me to his side. “You are in a world of trouble.”

“I know.”

“That’s my girl,” he says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. He towers over me, even when I’m in heels. Dressed almost all in black, he is an imposing figure to anyone who sees him. He’s wearing a tailored three-piece-suit, charcoal gray shirt, and black tie. Flex is objectively handsome. I know we all have a ‘type,’ but he is one of those men who is every woman’s type—perfect, symmetrical features, without being a pretty boy, and rugged while still looking like he’s the freaking son of Zeus.

I let my arm wrap around his lower back as he guides me out onto the sidewalk.

“I’m sorry I was late. I was working on a really exciting new project to present to Dalton.”

“You two are on a first-name basis?”

“As of this morning, yes.” His grip tightens.

“What happened this morning?”

“While I was texting with you, he asked me for a file I’ve been working on. He saw that you had messaged me and…”

“And what?” He’s impatient. It could almost be construed as jealous.

“And he told me not to hurt you.”

“What? He’s an idiot.”

“Isn’t he basically your brother?”

“Yeah. And he’s a dick for saying that. I’m a grown man, not some fragile little puppy.”

“I think it’s nice that he cares so much about you.”

“I’ll be telling him to keep his opinions to himself in the future.”

“I’m just surprised he thinks we’re a real couple.” There’s a slight hesitation on his part.

“He got his second chance with Nad and thinks the rest of us need to settle down.”

“They seem really happy together.” The silence that follows as New Yorkers swarm the sidewalk around us is filled with melancholy.Mine. I want what they have. Someone to love me so much they’d do anything to be with me.

“Yeah, but it doesn’t give them the right to start meddling in my love life.”His love life?

---