Page 98 of Don't Make Me Beg
Roman holds up his hands like he’s innocent. “I told him it was a bad idea, but he convinced everyone that this was what you needed.”
“Luka, it’s not like that,” Leo says, trying to smooth things over. “It’s just that sometimes I’m not sure you see the same potential in yourself that everyone else does.”
Roman continues, “And the first thing you do is marry Scout and go on a revenge tour.”
“That was you’re fucking idea, dip shit!”
Roman shakes his head, looking utterly exhausted—but at least he doesn’t deny it. “You couldn’t even do the proper research beforehand, knowing it’s not just your ass on the line—it’s the whole fucking company.” His words land heavy in the air, thick with disappointment.
The silence that follows tells me everyone agrees with him. I guess at least Roman had the balls to tell me to my face.
I scoff a laugh, somehow feeling even worse knowing they intentionally set me up. “Well, I’m sorry your little experiment backfired.”
“Luka, come on, don’t be like that…” Leo starts, but I’m already standing up to leave.
“Look, I know I fucked up, but you know as well as I do, he threw that bullshit together just to threaten me…” I shake my head, feeling my throat tight with emotion. “I know I’m not the most responsible person, but I am trying for...what it’s worth…”
“Come on, dude, don’t take this personally,” Roman says, “We were just trying to help you.” He reaches for another donut, but I snatch the box away before he can make his next selection.
“Donuts aren’t for assholes.” I snatch the box and tuck it under my arm, but somehow it still doesn’t feel like enough. So, I swipe Roman’s coffee, just as he’s taking a sip, and grab Guy’s matcha for added measure.
“Hey! What’d I do?” Guy protests, but I don’t respond, as I storm out of the conference room, letting the door slam shut behind me.
I drop the drinks in the closest trash can before offering the donuts to the rest of the staff and make my way outside feeling a renewed sense of purpose.
I think I’ve just figured out how to solve both of my problems. I pull out my phone and send out a quick text to L.O.K.I.
That should keep him out of trouble…for a little while anyway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Scout
“Is it supposed to be abstract? Or do I need to have my prescription checked?” I hear Colleen ask as the crowd gathers to watch me, the way they always do around this time of day.
I’ve never felt more like a zoo animal in my life. Maybe I should start selling tickets? I have no doubt in my mind they’d pay to see the show.
You’d think the newness would’ve died down by now, but apparently the people in this town have a few concerns with my pace. They’re not the only ones worried about me finishing this mural in time for the festival, but I can’t let them know that. It’ll just make their worrying that much worse.
I drop the brush, shaking my arm as I stretch my tired hand. I severely overestimated my physical endurance, not that my bone-deep exhaustion after last night is making things any easier.
What the hell did he do to me last night? I could barely keep my eyes open to finish one of my favorite movies and practicallypassed out before my head hit my pillow. I think I could’ve slept another eight hours, and it wouldn’t have been enough.
If that’s how my body responds to orgasms, then I need to up my calorie intake… maybe add in some electrolytes just to be safe…
“I thought she was a professional or a prodigy or something. That’s what Lucy told me, anyway,” someone else whispers, not so quietly.
And here I thought all my self-doubts in my head were annoying… But now I get the added bonus of hearing everyone else’s too… Love that for me.
I lower the lift to refill my paint cup, swapping my brush for a roller. Judging by the size of the crowd and the rumble of my stomach, I’m assuming it’s getting close to lunch time. I’ll have to grab something quick today. I need to finish the rest of this section of the background so I can start layering the next part on top tomorrow.
I was stubborn at first, using the A-frame ladder, just because Luka made such a big deal about it, but that got old pretty quickly. After a few days of climbing up and down, I finally gave in and started using the lift. It’s one less strain on my muscles, and at this point, I’ll do anything to make this work a little easier. Even if it means admitting that Luka was right.
Turns out I don’t hate his cockiness quite as much now that I’ve seen firsthand how capable he is. He’s got to be using some kind of magic on me, the way he commands me so easily. It’s like being under a spell, my body folds for him, doing anything he asks because she knows the reward that will come with pleasing him.
Come… I snicker at my accidental innuendo, feeling my warm cheeks grow hotter. Oh, how skillfully that man is at making me come. And the worst part is, I know he’s still holdingback on me. I can’t imagine what it’ll be like once he’s convinced I’m ready to graduate to the next level…
“’Scuse me. Can we clear a path? I’ve got lunch.”
