Page 89 of The Assignment: Room 3

“I…”

“Do. It. Now.” He looks at me, his eyes darkening, a storm in the way he stares me down.

My heels sound so loud in the silence of his office, clicking as I move to stand in front of him before taking the position.

Chapter 17

FLEX

Celest’s body was made for sin, but her soul is fucking angelic. I don’t deserve her, but I’m intent on becoming the kind of man who does.

“I’m going to explain everything to you, and you’re not going to speak until I give you permission. Understood?”

“Yes, Master.”Jesus. I love the way that sounds on her lips.

“Good girl. First, I don’t know why you think there’s something going on between Jenna and me. Nothing happened tonight. I haven’t so much as kissed her. Iwaswith her earlier, but not in the way you think. She came to ask if I would train her, as she would like to start exploring the lifestyle.” I watch as her body tenses and her jaw tightens, but she keeps her head down like a good little submissive. “Six months ago, I would’ve fucked her right there and then.”

Her body language is giving absolute fuck-off vibes.

“But thenwestarted spending time together, and somewhere along the way, you became the part of my day I looked forward to most. You have me in knots, pet. I’m out of my element with you, and I’m learning as I go. You said that we don’t have a contract…” I stand and walk over to my desk, opening the top drawer to retrieve the pack of papers I put together this week. I’m not sure how they will go over with her, but I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

As I resume my place on the couch, I run my fingers down her back before dropping the papers within her field of vision—on the floor. “When you didn’t answer me last week, I realized that a few things could be happening. I freaked you out when I showed up at your house and met your daughter, or you just aren’t that into me. And lastly, maybe you would feel more comfortable if wedidmake a contract.”

A teardrop falls from her lashes onto the contract I just dropped on the floor.

“Why are you crying, pet?”

“It’s not that I don’t want you, Master.”

“Okay, then explain it to me.”

“I’m scared.”

“Of me?”

“Of how I feel. My life is complicated. I have other factors to consider.”

“Gracie.” The moment her name leaves my lips, more teardrops wet the pages, smudging the title page.

Relationship Contract between Felix Warren Navarro and Celest Monroe

She starts sobbing, and it breaks my heart. “Stand up.”

Celest gets to her feet, keeping her eyes down as she cries. I reach forward, taking her hand in mine, and guide her to sit in my lap. She instantly curls into a ball, her head resting against my chest, her small frame trembling.

“Talk to me, pet.” I slip off her heels, letting her get comfortable.

“I… I have to do what’s right for Gracie. I can’t just jump in with both feet. It wouldn’t be fair to her.”

I drink her in. The soft scent of her perfume mixed with whatever shampoo she uses—it’s lovely, but I can’t quite place it. I carefully tug a loose tendril of hair behind her ear. “I know, pet. The only question I need you to answer right now is do you feel anything for me?” My heart is racing, and I realize I’m scared of her answer. For the first time in my adult life, Icare. I’ve let myself dream of something more than sex. I swallow past the lump in my throat.

“Yes, Master. I feel so many things when I’m with you.” My entire body sags in response, such relief washing over me.

“Okay. Then pick up the contract on the floor, and let’s go through it together.”

She wipes the tears from her cheeks and retrieves the contract before crawling back into my lap. It’s where she belongs—with me. I take it from her and flip to an important addition to my standard contract.

“I know you have a complicated life, Celest, and I don’t want to make it worse. Seeing you with Gracie… fuck… I can’t even explain it other than to say you amaze me.”

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