Page 16 of Surrender to Me

I shrugged. “I know when to pick my battles.”

He hummed, leaning back against the lounge chair, watching me like I was just as much of a puzzle to him as he was to me. “Smart woman,” he murmured.

Something about the way he said it made heat pool low in my stomach. I bit my lip, exhaling through my nose before setting my empty glass down on the table between us. “So,” I said, tilting my head, “what time is dinner?”

Legend stretched, his muscles shifting under glowing chocolate skin, then stood. “Few hours,” he said. “Long enough for you to rest before I make you scream again.” He leaned down, gripping the armrest of my chair, his mouth close to my ear. “Go inside,” he ordered. “Get comfortable."

My breath was shaky as I nodded, my body already betraying me again. No matter how much I tried to act composed and calm, his ass was still pulling me under. And I had a feeling that by the time dinner was over, I’d be too far gone to ever find my way back.

When I stepped back inside Legend’s villa, I shut the door behind me, the soft rush of waves muffled as I made my way to the bathroom. I exhaled as I turned on the massive rainfall shower, watching the hot steam curl into the air. I needed to clear my head. I stepped under the hot spray, tilting my head back, letting the water rush over my skin, rinsing away the ocean salt and the lingering ghost of Legend’s touch.

I had barely closed my eyes when my phone vibrated on the counter. It was Tyrae and I already knew why her ass was calling. With a sigh, I grabbed my towel, wrapping it around me before picking up my phone.

“Bitch.” Was the first thing she said before I could even speak.

I laughed, shaking my head. “Hi, Tyrae.”

“Don’t ‘hi’ me. You better start talking.”

I exhaled, glancing at my reflection in the mirror. My skin was still flushed, and glowing, my lips slightly swollen from where I’d been biting them all day. I looked a mess.

“It’s… a lot,” I murmured, my voice hushed, even though I was alone.

Tyrae groaned. “If you don’t start spilling, I’m flying down there myself.”

I laughed, tucking my towel tighter around me. “Okay, okay. Where do I start?”

“Uh, how about last night? What happened? Are you dead? Are your legs still functioning?”

I swallowed hard, my thighs pressing together instinctively. Because Jesus Christ. I exhaled slowly, lowering my voice. “Tyrae… this man tied me up.”

“WHAT?! Oh my God, oh my God, oh my GOD!”

I winced, hissing. “Bitch, if you don’t stop all that damn screaming. Damn!”

“NO!” she screeched. “YOU LET A MAN TIE YOU UP? Honey!”

I closed my eyes, fighting a laugh, pressing my fingers against my temple. “Yes. And I...” I swallowed. “I liked it. No, I fucking loved it.”

Another dramatic gasp. “Oh, hell no. I need a drink,” she muttered. “Hold on.” I rolled my eyes, waiting while she presumably poured herself a glass of wine. A few seconds later, she sighed dramatically. “Okay. Start from the beginning. Details, bitch. Don’t hold out on me.”

I glanced at the bathroom door and then took a breath. And then, I told her. Everything. The silk restraints. The vibrating toys. The way he pushed me so far, I lost track of where I ended and he began. By the time I was done, Tyrae was breathing heavily.

“Honey,” she said, voice hushed like she was afraid of being caught. “That sounds like some next-level shit.”

“Itwas.”

She let out a slow breath. “So… what now? Do you like him? Or is this just… sex? Business?”

I opened my mouth but then immediately closed it. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer. Did I like Legend? I barely knew him. And yet, I couldn’t ignore the way I felt around him—the way he made me feel seen and like I could do anything and yet completely out of control at the same time.

I exhaled, shaking my head. “I don’t know. This was supposed to be simple. But he…”

“He what?”

I chewed my bottom lip. “He doesn’t just want my body. Heactuallywants to help my business. He listens. He pays attention.”

Tyrae went quiet. Then, finally, she exhaled. “Oh, girl. This shit sounds like a movie.”

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