Page 61 of Dance of Ruin

“You can. It’s just men that I don’t want to see you like that.”

She frowns, shaking her head. “I’m confused. Youdowant people to see me like this? Or you don’t?”

Fuck. I’m twisting even myself up here. I don’tknowwhat the fuck I mean.

I clear my throat as she pulls on her leggings.

“My driver will take you to the theater. And you’ll keepthat”—I point to the cum on her cheek and chin as she blushes darkly—“right there, so they all know you belong to someone.”

She’s zipping up her hoodie now. “There are male dancers in the company, too.”

Shit.

I suddenly remember the guys who dance with the Zakharova—in particular, this Vaughn fucker Bianca is always talking about who seems to beveryfriendly with the girls…

“And I’m guessing your driver is a man?—”

“Fine. Go wash your face off,” I mutter, nodding my chin at the bathroom.

Well, so much forthatgrand plan of sending her home with the flag of a conqueror raised over freshly annexed territory.

Naomi nods and turns, walking into the bathroom and shutting the door. A minute later, she steps back out with a freshly scrubbed face, devoid of cum, spit, or smudged mascara.

Fuckingbummer.

She starts to walk to the door. Halfway there, she frowns and turns back to me.

“Nico?”

“M-hmm,” I grunt, slipping a cigarette between my lips.

“How long am I?—”

“Mine?” I lift an easy shoulder, raising my eyes to hers. “Until whenever.”

Her lips press together. “I… I need an end date.”

“Well, that’s a shame. And a good lesson in not always getting what we want.”

“Nico—”

“Convince your father to come down here and stick a gun in his fucking mouth,” I snap, “and we’ll talk. Until then, you’re mine. Forever.”

That last word kinda sneaks in there and comes out swinging.

Weird.

Naomi shakes her head. “That…No.”

I arch a brow as I flick the lighter and touch the end of my cigarette to it. I inhale, the cherry glowing at the tip before I snap the Zippo shut.

“Yes.”

She shakes her head again. “No, Nico.”

“Or what?”

She stiffens, pursing her lips.

---