Page 75 of The Assignment: Room 3

“What? Being truthful? I’m not your pet, and you’re not my Master. Not really.”

“Don’t force me to make you submit right here, right now.”

Our words are lost amongst the hustle and bustle of the café.This place is always thrumming with a crowd of happy families and teenagers out on their first date.

“This isn’t Venom, Flex. I’m a different person outside of those walls. Outside of Manhattan. The fact that you think you could make me ‘submit’ here is laughable.” I know I’m being a bitch, but it’s the only way he’ll leave.

Before I have a chance to react, he spins me around, pulling my back to his chest, his hands gripping my wrists behind me. “Don’t underestimate me, pet. It makes no difference to me if everyone in this place watches as you get on your knees for me.”

“I care. Mydaughteris right over there. With my fucking mother. I’m not the little slut who opens her legs at Venom for anyone who cares to watch. I’m amother.”

He leans in, his lips caressing the shell of my ear. “Then say it, and I’ll let you go… for now.” I can feel his smile against my neck.

“Say what?” I almost spit the words.

“Say, ‘Yes, Master Navarro, I’m your pet.’ Then, I’ll let you move.”

I squirm in his grasp, trying to free myself, but he only holds me tighter. “No.”

“Are you really going to make me do this?”

“Let me go, Flex. I’m serious.” The scent of his cologne and the wall of muscle at my back makes it hard to function.

Holding my wrists with one hand, I can feel him reach into his pocket, followed by something dropping to the floor. “Be a good girl and pick up my wallet, pet.”

“Get it yourself.” His grip on me tightens enough to be uncomfortable.

“Get on your knees, pet,” he rumbles, and it sends a jolt of desire straight to my core.

“People will see.”

“That’s never been a problem for you. Now, get. On. Your. Knees. You and I are the only ones who’ll know the real reason you’re dropping for me. I’m giving you a ‘vanilla’ excuse.”

“Flex.”

“Get on your fucking knees, pet. I know you want to.” Hereleases my wrists, and I drop to the floor, reaching for his wallet. With my eyes cast down, I hold it up with both hands. It’s a show of respect as a submissive.

“Don’t you feel better, pet? That spark in the pit of your stomach radiating through your body. You’re a submissive, Celest, and right now… you’re fuckingmine. Understood?”

“Yes, Master.” As soon as the words leave my lips, I shed all the tension in my body—relaxing if only for a moment—letting him take care of me. I release an audible sigh as he acknowledges me.

“Good girl. You can stand up now.” He reaches out his hand to steady me, and the touch further calms me. He pulls me into his arms, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Thank you for getting my wallet. How do you feel?” His voice is low, slow, and steady—a balm to my tortured soul.

“Better.”

“Okay. Do you trust me, Celest?” He drinks me in, and I can feel his heart beating almost as fast as mine.

“Yes, Master.”

“No. Not as a Dom. Do you trust me as a man? As a friend.” It’s a completely different kind of relationship. He’s a Dom and a very skilled one. I never question his judgment at the club, but I’m out of my element right now.

“I think so.”

He cups my face with his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I want to earn your trust, Celest. No secrets. No lies. There doesn’t even need to be sex outside of the club. I want to know you here, at your home, with your family. So, can you give me a chance? Is it even something you want? You seemed pissed on the walk here. I understand if you would rather I leave now. This is your family. Had I known, I wouldn’t have just shown up unannounced.”

And that’s the crux of it. “I know. You’d have run a mile like everyone else.”

“No. I would have made sure that you felt comfortable, and when the time was right, I would have wanted to meet your daughter. You being a mom doesn’t scare me, Celest.”

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