Page 79 of The Assignment: Room 3

It’s time to change her contact information on my phone.

Me: I know. You don’t want me to romance you or fall in love with you.

My Pet: Exactly. I know my single-mom status and mediocre housing is a turn-on, but try to control yourself.

Me: Nothing about you is mediocre, pet. I’m more concerned that after sampling my dick, you’re ruined for any other man. In fact, maybe that’s exactly what I want to ruin you for any other Dom.

My Pet: We’re done.

I don’t bother texting, instantly calling her phone, but she doesn’t answer. She’s got to be kidding right now. I’m waiting for some witty joke, but it doesn’t come. It takes everything in me not to jump back on my bike and return to her place, but she’s obviously spooked.

Instead, I head up to my apartment and lose myself in work for a few hours, the shadow in the garage putting me on edge. I watch the current security cameras, and in the end, I head back down to where my motorcycle is parked. In the elevator, I tap out a quick message and send it before I second-guess myself.

Me: If I said anything to upset you, I’m sorry, pet.

Shoving my phone in my pocket, I step out into a now very well-lit parking garage. My guys are all busy working, and Luther came to oversee everything.

“Hey, boss. We’re almost done. Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“Things on my mind.”

“Whoever this person is, they won’t be able to skulk around down here again. We’ve got the entire place covered, all entrances and exits. There’s nowhere to hide. If they come back, we’ll know about it.”

“Maybe I’m just being paranoid. It’s been… a day.” My stomach sinks, knowing that Celest and I seem to have differing opinions on how today played out. It pisses me off that I’m bothered. I’m always the laid-back one. Honestly, it’s a dick thing to say, but I’ve never cared about a sub outside of the club. I keep it simple.

That’s where I’m fucking lying to myself. I lied to Celest. Not intentionally, but here we are—friends with benefits—and I’mcatching feelings. Me. Flex Navarro. What the fuck is going on? I don’t recognize the man I was today.

The worst part is Celest doesn’t recognize me either. She is so much more than I thought she was going into this, but she wants exactly what I offered, and I can’t blame her for that. What I felt today when I made her submit in the churro café—fuck me.

I walk around the area where I saw the stranger tonight. There are no shadows to hide in now, but something sits uneasy in my gut. I’m going to be keeping a close eye on this for a while. I just want to make sure it was a one-off.

Luther appears at my side. “I’ve got this covered. You don’t need to be down here. You look fucking beat. No offense.” He always gives it to me straight up. Luther doesn’t know the meaning of ‘sugar coating.’ It’s one of the things I admire about him.

“I know you do. I’m just…”

“It must be work-related. I’ve never seen you get bent out of shape over a woman.” He laughs, but his face sobers when my expression gives me away. “Shut the fuck up! Flex… you’re in love. You really do have a heart.”

“Love? Fuck no. I don’t do that shit. Just an annoying fascination.”

“Is it reciprocated?” It’s a valid question that I don’t like the answer to.

“No. She likes that I can fuck her the way she wants it, but that’s where her need for me ends.”

“So, you have to win her over like the rest of us mere mortals.” That makes me laugh. Do I have such an inflated view of myself?

Yes.

I always assume a sub wants more from me. I’m the one who terminates contracts. Seeing Celest getting herself off—I didn’t even hesitate for a moment to think twice about cutting in on Viv’s scene or consider the fact that Celest might turn me down.

“I guess so.” I chuckle. “On that note, I’m going to head upstairs.”

“The cameras are being linked to our surveillance software rightnow. You should be able to login and see the feed within the next hour or so.”

“Perfect. Thanks, Luther.”

“No problem.” With that, I enter the elevator and return to my apartment.

I don’t know why I bother checking my phone as I make a beeline for the bathroom and strip before turning on the shower.

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