Heart in my stomach, I quicken my steps toward him, but my path is cut off by another man hurrying toward me. The same soldier who summoned me to meet Alessandro yesterday.
“Boss says to get your ass into his office now.”
I frown, certain I’m not late. I’m keeping my end of our arrangement so long as Alessandro’s kept his. “What time is it?” I ask him, flustered.
“Eleven forty-five.”
“But he said two o’clock.” Lord, I hoped to shower and perhaps drink heavily beforehand.
The man shrugs.
With a sigh, I follow him inside. Butterflies dance in my stomach. I’m anxious, but not necessarily for the right reasons. I’m anxious because I’m excited.
And because I might be as twisted as he is.
He’sat his desk when I enter, glaring at me … and my bravery splinters.
“You asked for me?” I breathe.
His suit is neat, without a wrinkle in sight. His blue tie perfectly in place. He’s dressed more for a board meeting in a New York high-rise rather than for a luxury villa office fuck.
“You took your time getting here,” he says, his voice flat. His eyes rake over me from head to toe, and I’m conscious of my appearance after my lengthy tour of the grounds. “Is that dirt on your uniform?”
My lips part as I glance down.
A black smudge is on the material partially covering my right breast. With a sigh, I brush it off, but it’s not budging. What does he expect? His obsession with everything white isn’t practical for daily wear. He slapped a monitor on my ankle and offered me more freedom. Dirt happens when you’re outside and exploring nature.
But do I say all this?
No. Not a peep.
I stand before his desk, the vision of obedience, the nervous energy buzzing around us holding me in place.
His blue eyes meet mine, and an electric charge zips down my spine and strikes directly between my thighs.
God help me. Forgive me for the sins I’m longing to explore. Because how could I want this? And from the monster who kidnapped me?
Except it’s there. This thing. That same sensation I felt when I saw him across the bar. Like I had to get close to him, hadto feel his power embrace me, and strike life into me. Chasing extremes after everything else went black.
He licks his lips, feeling it too.
But the second we both realize it, he tenses and looks away. Then ignores me, thumbing through the screen on his phone like he’s forgotten me already.
I wait. His stubborn arrogance is unparalleled by anyone else I’ve met. But it’s better this way. I understand my role in his place—and it has nothing to do with emotional connection.
I’ll do what I have to do. If the curious facets within me get off on his kinks, so be it.
His impatience is what does it. He abruptly stands and then, still ignoring me, clears his desk. My eyebrows rise, but my lips remain tight.
He rounds the desk, and my pulse kicks up. Only to be disappointed when he disappears into the small bathroom connected to his office.
Curses drift out, then the splash of running water.
When he returns, the hair around his face is damp.
His eyes lock on mine, daring me to comment.
Well, pull out the prize box. Because if this is a test in obedience, I win.