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“Go,” I said, stepping away. I grabbed the chair I’d kicked away earlier and righted it, settling into it in front of the board. “I’m not playing chase with a rabbit choking on their own snare.”

Pepper was silent. “I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“Pepper. Go home.” My voice was far more stern this time.

I heard the click of the lock and turned my head slightly, watching as she opened the door slowly. She stood still for a moment, but then fled, running away from this.

From me.

She was right, wasn’t she? It was for the best. It was easier to stop now before we became entangled and trapped, caged in by our careers and insecurities.

I stood up, looking out the window. I watched her weave through the crowd. Once she was out of sight, I sat back down, forcing myself to focus on the stage. On the lights.

The scent of sex clung to me.

She was a crimson rose with thorns that would cut me and bleed me.

But I yearned for that pain.

For the type of love that would strangle me.

That would set me free.

She’d come back.

I hoped.

EIGHTEEN

PEPPER

Cryingmyself to sleep left me feeling hungover the next morning. Usually, I kept my office door open, but today wasn’t normal. So, I closed my door and shut myself in with coffee while I read through emails and ignored everyone else.

Last night was too much. I'd gone out to a bar to listen to Salt without panties on. I still couldn't believe I'd done that. I also couldn't believe that I enjoyed it.

I loved being praised. Really, I did. But I was also starting to realize that I enjoyed degradation, too. That the slight edge of humiliation sparked something unexpected inside me. I wasn't sure what to do with any of that information now, though. Everything was over and Salt would move on. I'd made the right choice.

A knock came at my door, and then it cracked open. Tommy poked his head in, giving a wave. “Have a moment?” he asked.

“Of course,” I replied.

He slipped inside and shut the door behind him, coming to stand behind the sleek chair in front of my desk. He had a look on his face I didn't like.

“I heard a rumor,” Tommy said hesitantly.

A rumor. Already, I felt myself shutting down any emotions, bracing for whatever else he had to say. “What kind of rumor?” I asked, my tone flat.

He winced as he sat down on the edge of the chair, leaning forward to study me. “Okay. I heard that Salt fired his bass player last night… because of you.”

“What?” I asked. “That didn’t happen.”

“Well, somethinghappened,” Tommy said.

He drew in a sharp breath, his stress evident in the way he ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t like whatever this rumor was, which meant I wasn’t going to like it either.

“And I also heard that…” He trailed off and then shifted uncomfortably. “Did you sleep with him?”

Everything stopped moving. All the years of keeping my emotions in check had never been more useful than they were now. “Someone insinuated that we slept together?” I asked lightly.

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