Page 96 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Congrats.”

“You may speak, pet. He offered his well wishes, so it’s polite to respond.”

“May I look at him, Master Navarro?” A thrill courses through me. To be someone’s submissive again. To behis.

“Not tonight, pet. Now, be polite, and let’s go.”

“Thank you, Eli.” My cheeks flush, not with embarrassment but with pride. I can’t contain my smile, happy tears filling my eyes as we say goodnight.

“Night, Eli. Let’s set up a meeting this week to get some of the logistics for the opening knocked out.” Flex oozes confidence in everything he does, commanding any room he inhabits.

With my hand in his, I follow close behind my new Master like a good girl. I love when he praises me. I should have expected it, but I’m still surprised that his driver, Russell, has a car ready and waiting for us.

“Good evening, Mr. Navarro. Ms. Monroe.”

“Hey, Russell. We’re taking Celest to her place.”

“Very good, sir.”

Flex opens the back door of his Escalade, ushering me in beforesliding in beside me. I remember the last time I was in this car with him. Russell heard things I now regret. I’m mortified.

“Thank you, Russell.”

“You’re welcome, Ms. Monroe.”

I still have my eyes cast down, waiting for Flex to instruct me otherwise.

“You can look at me now, pet.” As my eyes find his, I’m rewarded with a breathtaking smile onmyMaster’s gorgeous face.

“Thank you, Master.” Suddenly, his presence seems to fill the enclosed space, butterflies taking flight as he leans in, pressing his lips to mine.

“You did well, pet. Now, almost everyone in there knows you’re mine. I won’t be satisfied until everyone at Venom knows you are my sub, especially after what almost happened tonight.” The memory is a sharp stab to the chest.

“I’m so sorry.”

“I didn’t say it to guilt you, Celest. You were working within the parameters we set… sort of. I hope you’ve learned your lesson. If you see me with another woman, you can’t jump to conclusions. You come directly to me, and we’ll discuss it.”

“Will I see you with other women, Master?”

“Not the way you’re thinking. Our relationship is now exclusive. I told you that. If you see me with Jenna or anyone else, you have to trust that I will never betray you like that. Not ever.”

“You can’t say that. Life has a way of pulling the rug out from under me. If I’m prepared for the worst, then it won’t hit me as hard when the inevitable happens.”

“Come here.” He opens his arms like he did earlier, letting me crawl into his lap. He smells so good, and his hard, muscular chest gives me such comfort as I drink him in.

We sit in silence for a few minutes, listening to the muted sounds of the city around us before Flex speaks. He plays with a loose tendril of my hair, wrapping and unwrapping it around his index finger. “There is no ‘inevitable’ end to our relationship, Celest. We’re going into this with our eyes open. Will there be challenges?Yes. I will fuck up at some point, and so will you. We’ll talk these things out and become stronger for it.”

“What if you get to know me, and you stop thinking you’re in love with me?”

He holds me a little tighter. “I know you, pet. There’s nothing that would change my feelings for you.”

“You say that now, but it’s not realistic. Everyone leaves eventually.”

“Not me. I’m here, and you better get used to having me around.”

“Okay.”

“Kiss me, pet.” Lifting my hand to cup his jaw, the stubble scratches my palm, a stark juxtaposition to the softness of his lips and the gentle caress of his tongue on mine. I’m not sure how long we stay suspended in this moment, in this one kiss.

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