Page 13 of Vicious Games

There was no freaking way no one was going to stare at us as we entered the restaurant. Roman was one of the most recognizable and sought-after billionaires on the planet. He would be walking in with a woman far younger than him on his arm. A woman who not too long ago had been accused of gunning down her mother and stepfather in cold blood. The gossip, obnoxious stares, and side-eyed looks would begin before we had taken two steps toward our table.

Roman took his seat behind the wheel.

I licked my lips before saying, “Listen, I’ve changed my mind. I think we should just stay—”

Roman revved the engine, deliberately drowning out whatever I was going to say. I was forced back into my seat as the car sprang forward.

We drove away into the night. The distant bright lights of London were our destination.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach as it twisted into knots.

Tonight was going to end very, very badly.

CHAPTER 7

AURORA

We drove in silence, the lights of the passing cars and buildings a flashing blur. I tried to control my breathing. My fingernails cut into my palms as I tightly curled my hands into fists to prevent myself from tugging on the short hem of my dress.

Later, when I wasn’t sitting a few inches away from him, I would allow my mind to ponder why I felt compelled to keep goading Roman. It was like I had a freaky death wish. I was sure a therapist would say it had something to do with latent daddy issues or some such nonsense. There was no doubt there was a mean daddy element to our relationship. The age difference alone would account for that, but there was also the authoritative way he disciplined me.

I shifted in my seat as a warm tingle spread between my thighs. Just thinking about how he liked to whip off his belt and bend me over the nearest surface whenever I made him mad had my pussy wet. I had half expected him to do just that the moment he caught sight of the dress I was wearing in deliberate defiance of his wishes. I was at least honest enough with myself to say I was a little disappointed he hadn’t.

I hazarded a glance at him from under my eyelashes. He was staring straight ahead. I could tell from the way his fingers gripped the leather steering wheel that he was mad as hell.

Why hadn’t he punished me?

Why hadn’t he ripped off the dress, fucked me senseless, and then told me to go put on the dress he picked out?

Without thinking, in my nervousness, I tugged on the hem.

The slight movement caught Roman’s eye. His head turned. He glared at my exposed thighs.

I held my breath.

Was this the moment he turned around? Or would he just pull over to the side of the road and fuck me in the back seat, uncaring of who watched?

Roman inhaled slowly through his nose as he stretched out his fingers and then gripped the steering wheel once more.

It was like he was deliberately trying not to say anything.

Why?

I thought this was part of our game?

I would act like a brat, and he would be the mean sexy daddy who’d punish me for it.

What if I had taken things too far?

What if the knowledge of my applying to university in France on top of my defying him with this dress was a touch too much? I swallowed as I pressed my fingernails harder into my palms to quell my rising panic.

The car slowed as we approached the restaurant valet.

Well, at least we’d be in public for the next few hours.

I’d be safe with people around.

The liveried valet reached for my door handle as Roman exited the car.

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