Page 83 of The Assignment: Room 3

“I need to know. It’s all I can think about lately. I trust you.”

I close the distance between us, standing at her feet, at war with myself. “You shouldn’t.” That’s when her eyes shoot up to meet my gaze. “Get up.”

She does as I ask without question, taking my proffered hand tosteady herself in her six-inch heels that would look amazing on her with nothing else.

“Tell me, Flex… are you afraid of what Dalton would do? You don’t strike me as a man who listens to anyone else. You take what you want when you want.” She runs her hands up my biceps before moving to unbutton my shirt.

If it were anyone else.Celest.

I grip Jenna’s wrists, stopping her in her tracks. “Rookie mistake. If you want to be a sub, you let your Dom lead. You obey.”

“Then show me.” The universe hates me. A few months ago, I’d already be fucking her seven ways till Sunday.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

If it were anyone else. If I weren’t falling for anyone but Celest, I’d say to hell with it and take everything Jenna is offering up on a platter.

“Because… there’s a submissive.”

“I didn’t think you had a sub right now.” She makes no effort to wrestle out of my grasp.

“I don’t. But there’s a possibility, and if there’s even a shred of hope that she might want me… I can’t do this with you.”

A soft smile spreads on her gorgeous face, and the tension leaves her body. “You love her.”

“I…” My heart is hammering hard in my chest. “Fuck.”

Chapter 16

CELEST

The bar is jam-packed tonight, but Flex is nowhere to be seen. I thought he’d be here. My phone has been a deadweight this week. I’ve written so many messages to him and deleted every last one.

My mind has been reeling from last weekend. Not in my wildest dreams did I anticipate Flex turning up on my doorstep. I knew weeks ago that my emotions were getting too embroiled in this arrangement. Maybe it was naïve to think we could keep it friendly. But, at the same time, I’m terrified of letting myself feel more for this man. He’s a known player. A Dom with no desire to settle down—not that I’m saying he wants to settle down with me and my insta-family. But then again, he’s offering me a contract.

Gracie has been asking about him all week. She says Mr. Fex is her new best friend. It made it all the harder not to answer him. It’s for the best, I’m telling myself as I scan the room, desperate for a glimpse of him. I’m a woman in the desert, starving and hoping for manna to fall from heaven, except everything I want from him is so ungodly.

“Hey, girl.” Freya sneaks up behind me, wrapping her arms around me. I didn’t know I needed a hug from my best friend. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming in tonight?”

“I wasn’t sure I would be here.”

She turns me in her arms, raking her eyes over me as if she’s looking for a physical wound. I guess I don’t have the best poker face. Unfortunately, what I’m feeling isn’t fixed with a Band-Aid. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She knows I’m lying. We’ve been inseparable since the day we met, and our recent escapades on level two have only brought us closer. We can read each other’s body language from a mile away.

“Do you want to grab a drink and talk about whatever you’re pretending to be okay about? Or would you like me to take your mind off whatever it is? We could go upstairs. I’m sure Pierce would be up for it.” Her face lights up at the thought, and it warms my heart. I know it’s a shadow of a relationship—I’m just a small addition to their pleasure.Herpleasure.

“I think I’ll pass for now. I’m just going to have a few drinks. Maybe after I’ve had a couple. You don’t need to babysit me. Go get yours, girl.” She takes a seat beside me.

“What are we drinking?” I knew she wouldn’t leave me, but I feel guilty for ruining her evening.

“Cosmopolitan.”

“Good choice. Hey, Eli, could we get a couple of cosmos when you get a moment?”

“Of course.” Eli has become a cornerstone of Venom. He practically lives here and is always around to be a shoulder to cry on or with a sarcastic comment to make me smile.

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