Page 59 of The Assignment: Room 3

“This is so fancy. I’ve always wondered what it looks like in here.” Flex holds out the chair for me before taking his seat.

“Only the best for my pet.” A waiter arrives to take our order and fetches some drinks while we wait.

“Thank you, Flex. This is lovely.”

“You’re a naughty little thing today. What were you instructed to call me over lunch?”

“Sorry, Master.”

“I’ll forgive you if you come round to my side and kneel for me.”

“What? You can’t be serious. The waiters. Ryder.” He reaches over, taking my hand in his.

“Ryder has seen this a million times.”

“This is par for the course with you.” I’m dejected.

“No. You’re the first sub I’ve ever wined and dined.”

“Ha ha.” I pull my hand back. I didn’t come here to be made fun of.

“Hey. Look at me,” he commands. I do as I’m told, and all I see is sincerity. “I meant that Ryder sees it at Venom. Hand on my heart, I have never brought a woman here. I thought it would be something nice for us. We don’t actually get to spend that much time together, and we talk via text or phone every day. I just thought we could extend our friendship into face-to-face conversations.”

“That’s… nice.” I’m letting myself get fooled here. Flex is lulling me into a false sense of security. Not on purpose, but it’s happening, nonetheless. I need to tell him the truth. I’ve waited too long, even just to tell him as my friend. He’s going to be pissed that I kept something so fundamental from him.

We chat back and forth about small stuff until our meal arrives, and it looks just as stunning as I thought it would. There’s a reason this place comes with such a steep price tag. It’s a Michelin-star restaurant.

Fuck.I can’t afford this. I’m going to have to max out my credit card. Ugh. I guess I’ll need to wait a little longer to buy a car.

“What’s wrong?” Jesus, I need to get a much better poker face.Maybe I should just get Botox, and my face won’t give me away so easily.

“Nothing.”

“Then why aren’t you over here kneeling for me? What happened to my apology?” He’s being playful, but I can feel my bottom lip quivering, and I hate my traitorous emotions. “Celest, what’s wrong? I’m not messing around. Tell menow.”

“No. I’m embarrassed.”

“Get your ass over here right now.” There’s no room for protest. I get up with my eyes to the floor and walk to his side. He pulls me down into his lap, letting me curl my arms around his neck. “Talk to me, pet. I hate to see you upset. What have I done, Celest?” The way my name sounds on his lips makes my heart ache.

“I… I need to max out my credit card for this lunch. I’ve been trying to save for a car so I don’t have to ride the subway to work.”

“You’ll do no such thing. I brought you out, pet. I’ve got it covered.”

“I don’t want to be your charity case, Flex.” He angles me just enough to give me a sharp spank before he pulls me back onto his lap. “I don’t want to be your charity case, Master Navarro.”

“You’re not. I don’t think that at all. I asked you to lunch. I intended to pay for everything anyway. Please don’t think for a second that I see you as charity, a burden, or anything else. We’re friends. Right now, you’re mine, pet. I’m going to show you what you shouldexpectfrom a Dom.” His words are so heartfelt that I melt into his arms.

“Thank you, Master.”

“Good girl. Now, slip off your panties, give them to me, and take your seat across from me.”

I don’t bother questioning him, instead opting to lean into whatever this relationship is between us. It’s hot, and I need to feel wanted right now. I shimmy them down and step out of them in plain sight of the waiter but fuck it. I’m sure she’d do the same thing if Flex asked her. She was practically salivating over him when she brought our drinks.

Balling them up, I place them in his waiting palm and watch as he shoves them into his pocket.

“If we are just friends who fuck, why do you feel the need to wine and dine me? You know you’re going to get lucky. Why bother?”

“Fuck me. I’m having your last Dom’s membership at Venom revoked. Have you never dated a man, Dom or not, who treated you like you’re worth something?”

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