Page 33 of Iron Heart

I turn abruptly and collide with his broad chest.His hand immediately curves around my exposed arms, holding me steady, and I suck in a breath, catching the scent of his woody cologne.

I look up at him and swallow.“I’d like to go if that’s possible,” I say softly, asking for his permission.His expression shifts from concern to pleasure.

There’s something in his eyes I can’t quite decode.“You may,” he replies.His hands lower, granting me permission to proceed through the exit where Lexy waits.The heat from his touch lingers as I go.

Whoa.

Fuck.I don’t know why, but I’m so turned on right now.

* * *

Another few weeks have passed, and I’m nearly halfway done with recording this new album.As promised, I’ve refrained from being a brat, but I’ve googled ‘submissive’ and ‘dominant’ more times than I’d like to admit.

I don’t necessarily like all of it.For instance, I’m not one to walk around with a collar, being a slave to a master.I sincerely hope Kingsley isn’t into that.But the idea of being showered with praise and being punished for my bratty behavior?Now, that’s something that piques my interest.

Things between Kingsley and me have been professional.Too professional.But the underlying tension is always there, simmering.I know he can feel it too.It’s the way he creates space between us after he realizes he’s too close.Or the way he glances at my mouth when he thinks I’m not looking, only to blink and school his features as if nothing happened.

Lexy finishes briefing me on tomorrow’s agenda, which is pretty much the same as it has been for the last few weeks, except for a phone interview withGood Morning Americain the morning.“Right, if that’s it, then I’ll leave you to it,” she says.

“Thanks, Lex,” I reply, sinking into the sofa and waiting for my green tea to cool.

“Sure thing, hun.Goodbye, Kingsley,” Lexy says, walking past him and out the front door.

“Goodbye, Lexy,” he replies, and I’m slightly miffed that he still doesn’t use my first name—not since that night, anyway—but he’ll call Lexy and anyone else in our company by theirs.

I look up to find him in my living room.There’s tension between us when no one else is around, and I push it aside, not letting it interfere with the great relationship we’ve built over the past few weeks.

“If there isn’t anything else...”His deep voice trails off.

“I’m bored, Kingsley,” I say, crossing my legs on the stone coffee table.

“I see.”

“You do see.All I do is go from home to the recording studio and back again.”

He nods in agreement.

“Will you take me out tonight?”

His eyes bore into mine.“I don’t think that’s—”

“Please?”I beg with a tone I didn’t know I had until now, looking up at the hulking figure staring down at me.

He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down.

“I will be on my best behavior,” I say, motioning a ‘scout’s honor’ across my chest.

“That’snota scout’s honor.”He laughs, and it’s the first time I think I’ve heard him make that sound.

“This is a scout’s honor,” he demonstrates the actual gesture, and I grin.

“Well, you catch my drift.”

“Fine, but I’m choosing the restaurant,” he says without waiting for a reply.

“Sure.I’m going to change,” I say, standing.

“No, you’re perfectly fine dressed like that,” he says, and I don’t think he even realizes that his authoritative tone does something to me.

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