Page 23 of His to Possess
Rex's grip on my arm tightened slightly, and I had to suppress a shiver. The danger was palpable, but so was something else—a tension that had nothing to do with anger and everything to do with the charged air between us.
"Your eagerness is noted," he said, his eyes boring into mine. "But do not mistake my indulgence for weakness. You will follow my schedule, or there will be consequences."
The threat in his words was clear, but instead of cowering, I felt emboldened. I had seen behind the curtain and caught a glimpse of the man behind the mask of control. He wasn't infallible, not impenetrable. He was human, with desires and weaknesses just like anyone else.
"And what might those consequences be?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I was playing with fire, and I knew it, but I couldn't seem to stop myself. Perhaps I had already somehow lost my mind, but there was something attractive about the way his composure crumbled right in front of my eyes, and I was the reason why. I was the one who made it happen. If that was the case, who knew what other things I was capable of?
His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me again. The thought sent a jolt of heat through my body, surprising me with its intensity. I was torn between wanting him to close the distance between us and needing to maintain some semblance of control.
"Do you really want to find out?" he asked, his voice husky.
I swallowed hard, weighing my options. The rational part of my brain screamed at me to back down, to follow his rules andplay it safe. But another part, a wilder, more reckless part, urged me to push further, to see just how far I could go before he broke.
"Maybe I do," I said, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. I took a step back, breaking the tension that had built between us, but kept my eyes locked on Rex's. I expected him to show me the consequences that would follow disobedience, but instead, the anger on his face faltered ever so slightly, as if it was slowly dissolving. Disappointingly so. I supposed I'd have to wait to see all he was capable of. "Since you're so adamant about schedules, I assume you've already planned out my entire day?"
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "As a matter of fact, I have. The itinerary has been uploaded to your phone. It includes your work at the Art Institute, time for assessing my collection, and dedicated hours for the watercolor."
I raised an eyebrow, unable to resist needling him further. "How thorough of you. Did you remember to pencil in time for sleep and bathroom breaks?"
His expression softened slightly, a ghost of amusement flickering across his face. "Bathroom time is at your discretion. But yes, I've allotted time for sleep and… other activities."
The implication in his words hit me like a bucket of cold water. "Other activities?" I repeated, stunned.
He ignored my shocked expression, hooking my arm through his as if we were about to stroll through a park. "Come," he said, leading me towards the exit. "Dinner awaits."
Chapter 10
Laurel
I stared at the computer screen, the half-finished report blurred before my eyes. The bustling sounds of the Art Institute faded into the background as my mind wandered, replaying the events of the past few days like a surreal movie.
Rex's art vault flashed in my memory, a treasure trove of priceless works that would make any curator weep with envy. The opulence of his penthouse still felt unreal, a stark contrast to my modest apartment that I had hastily vacated. Living with Rex was like existing in a meticulously curated exhibit, every detail planned and controlled.
Last night's dinner replayed in my mind. Rex sat across from me, his posture perfect, his expression guarded. Our conversation revolved entirely around art: techniques, history, market trends. I found comfort in those topics, and neither of us steered the discussion in a more personal direction, though I suspected our reasons differed. I didn't think he was going to respond to any of the questions that roamed inside my head. He,on the other hand, more than likely knew all he wanted to know about me, which left me feeling bare and exposed. There was nothing I could do about it, though, but accept it as a fact for as long as I worked for him.
The clockwork precision of the evening's end still unnerved me. At exactly 9:30 PM, Rex stood, wished me goodnight, and disappeared into his wing of the penthouse. It was as if someone had flipped a switch, ending our interaction for the day. Relief flooded me, though, because I had been given a chance to breathe properly. Throughout the entire time he stood by my side, I had to be on guard, constantly aware of the danger that lurked nearby, and now I finally felt like I could relax every single muscle in my body, at least for a little while.
I couldn't shake the feeling of underlying sadness in Rex's rigidly controlled life. How long had he been like that? Was that something that brought him comfort? From the brief time I'd spent with him, it felt like everything had its place, its time, its purpose, even me. Especially me.
I forced my attention back to the report, trying to focus on the task at hand. But my mind betrayed me, drifting to tonight's 'other activities' penciled into Rex's meticulous schedule. The man had added sex to my agenda like just another task to be completed. I told myself that it'd be completely separate from my personal life and that I'd treat it like nothing but another job to be done, though. If I wanted to keep my sanity, I had to.
I shook my head, trying to clear these traitorous thoughts. This was exactly what he wanted, to consume my every waking moment, to make me crave his touch even when he wasn't around. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction. But even as I tried to convince myself, I knew it was already too late. The anticipation of this very night had taken root, adding a layer of intensity to every moment. I was caught in Rex's world now, and I wasn't sure I wanted to escape.
I looked up from my computer screen as footsteps approached, surprised to see Molly Parisi, my boss, heading towards me. She wasn't alone. A tall, imposing man walked beside her, his presence commanding attention even in the bustling office space.
My breath caught as recognition dawned. I had seen him before, at the auction where I first encountered Rex. Though we had never spoken, I remembered watching him interact with Rex, noting the undercurrent of tension between them. Now, seeing him up close, I was struck by his piercing gaze and polished demeanor.
"Laurel," Molly called out, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "I'd like to introduce you to someone."
I stood, smoothing my skirt as they reached my desk. Molly's smile was bright, but there was something in her eyes I couldn't quite read. I knew to be on my best behavior. In a line of work like mine, first impressions were everything, and I didn't want to miss a single chance to expand my network.
"This is August Mendelson," she said, gesturing to the man beside her. "He's one of our most prominent patrons at the Institute."
August extended his hand, his grip firm as we shook. "Ms. Bowers." His voice was deep and smooth. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard quite a bit about your expertise."
I forced a smile, trying to ignore the way his eyes seemed to bore into me. "Thank you. It's an honor to meet you as well."
As we exchanged pleasantries, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this introduction than mere formality. August's gaze lingered on me, and I sensed an underlying current beneath his polished exterior. Much like most people in this world, I had a strong feeling he believed he could buy anything with money, too.
