Page 25 of Pregame

ChapterTen

Ava

If I thought Roman was intimidating when I first met him, Roman angry is downright terrifying.I wasn’t really scared at first when he dragged me back to the hotel room like a caveman.Apprehensive?Hell, yes!Turned on?Outrageously, despite the fact that I knew I definitely shouldn’t be.But not afraid; I knew from what I’d seen so far of Roman that he’s in complete control of everything in his life, including himself.

But when he’d held me down on the desk, his belt in his hand and the evidence of his arousal grinding into me ...that had been another story.Fear had licked through me, but that powerful and incongruous arousal had intensified, despite my fear, or maybe because of it.There’s a potent sexual attraction between us that seems to make me forget all sense of self-preservation, all sense of everything but being close to him.His effect on me is as visceral as it is confusing.

And when that belt had come down on my butt, I hadn’t felt fragile or weak.In that moment, I wasn’t my mother’s daughter.I was strong.Strong enough to handle Roman’s punishment, if only because he thought I could.

But I hate him for getting off on punishing me, almost as much I hate him for making me want his touch anyway.Afterward, he’d made me come harder than I’ve ever imagined, making my few attempts to bring myself to orgasm look like child’s play in comparison.What kind of girl lets a man whip her with a belt and then give her the biggest orgasm of her life?I sigh.The kind who’s agreed to pretend to be a submissive on a kinky reality show.

I’d expected him to want something in return—the thick hardness of him pressing against me had made it apparent he was turned on—but instead he’d just left.I’m horrified that I feel a little jealous at the thought of him seeking his release with someone else.

He’d returned to the suite sometime after midnight, waking me up and hauling me out of bed to tug off the nightshirt I was wearing.

“I thought I told you not to wear this anymore,”he’d growled.

“I don’t have anything else,”I protested.

“Then sleep in nothing,”he’d said tersely, tossing the shirt into the trash can.

But his words had lacked any real bite, and after I’d climbed back into bed without anything on but my underwear, he’d pulled me to him, my back tucked against his hard, smooth chest, and he’d held me close as he fell asleep, his breath turning slow and even.I, on the other hand, had lain awake, hyper aware of his solid, warm, almost naked body curled around mine as the memory of the unfamiliar desires he’d aroused in me earlier haunted me.

Because God help me, he had made me feel again!Fear, pain, arousal, lust— emotions I hadn’t allowed myself to feel in two years had swirled through me unchecked.Two years of not feeling anything, and after one day with this mysterious, dominant man, I was gob smacked.

He’s gone again when I wake up, and I shower and dress before heading downstairs to eat breakfast and look for Emmett.I need to talk to him, and now is the perfect time to do it with Roman gone for the morning.Unfortunately, Emmett’s not in the dining room, but I’m happy to find Tessa and Luke there.After filling my plate from the overladen buffet, I slide into the seat next to Tessa.Belatedly, I remember I’m supposed to be submissive, whatever the hell that means.

“Can I sit here?”I ask Luke.“Or is that not allowed?”

He smiles at me and winks.“I’m not your Dom, so you don’t need my permission.Tessa, on the other hand ...”He tugs her hair, and she looks up at him worshipfully.They are beyond adorable, even if I don’t completely get it.What I do get is that he makes her happy, and that’s all that counts.

“Where’s your Dom?”Luke asks, turning back to me.“His name is Roman, right?”

I nod.“He had to work this morning.He runs his own company, so I guess he couldn’t just take off for six weeks.I’m headed to the gym later this morning.The food here is unbelievable, but if I’m not careful I’m going to leave here twenty pounds heavier.You want to join me?”I ask Tessa.

Although I’ve seen her since the auction, we haven’t had a chance to really talk, and I’ve kind of missed her.Plus, it would be nice to talk with someone else who’s going through this too, just to know if I’m crazy for being turned on by a man who whips me with a belt and then makes me come like a freight train.

She looks at Luke for permission and he nods.“Of course.You need to keep up your stamina.”He gives her a lustful look and she blushes.

“Let’s meet there in an hour,” she suggests.

“Sounds good.Hey, have either of you seen Emmett today?I need to talk to him.”

“I saw him in the gym on my way here,” Luke volunteers.

“Really?Great.I’ve got to catch him.See you in a bit, Tessa.”

I scoot out of my chair and practically run to the gym, hoping to catch Emmett before he leaves.Luckily, he’s still running on the treadmill, wearing nothing but a pair of running shorts, his bare chest and sculpted abs glistening with sweat.

“Ava!”He turns off the treadmill when he sees me, grabbing a towel as he walks over to me.“Are you really okay?”He grabs my chin and tilts my face up, searching my eyes for who knows what.

“I’m fine,” I assure him, taking a step back and looking guiltily around the gym.There’s no point in taunting Roman with my friendship with Emmett, even if I can’t explain it to him.There’s another couple on the weight machines, but they seem too wrapped up in each other to notice Emmett and me.

“Where’s your sub?What’s her name?”

“Rebecca.She’s still asleep.I wore her out last night.”He grins lasciviously at me, and I roll my eyes.

“TMI.”

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