“Two years.”
“Years!”
“I don’t judge you for wanting to choke me out, and that’s a way bigger problem than me spending an evening with a gentleman who just wants a pretty woman on his arm for a black-tie event.”
She’s right. I didn’t even ask permission to engage in breath play with her tonight. It’s not the same as tying her hands or giving her a light spank. I know better than to do this without a contract. It’s time to walk away. She said it herself, it’s a ‘problem.’
“I apologize for subjecting you to breath play. It won’t happen again. None of it will.”
“You’re right because whatever we’ve been doing lately is over.”
“Agreed.”
We ride the rest of the way to her apartment in silence. There’s nothing more to say. When I pull up, she doesn’t move to get out of the car.
“I think we’ve said enough, Aspen. Goodnight.”
“I’ve never slept with a man for money, Ryder.”
“You made it very clear it’s not my place. You don’t owe me an explanation.”
“I know, but I need you to know that I’ve never sold the intimacy we shared.”
“Is that what we had?”
“I don’t know. This is all too much for me. You never want to talk about your lifestyle, and when I try to bring it up, you fob me off. I don’t know if I’m not good enough for you, or if I should evenwantto be that woman for you. I… I was so turned ontonight. Before tonight, you could have asked me about choking, and I would’ve said a hard no.”
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” My heart sinks. I broke the most important rule as a Dominant.
“Let me finish. I… enjoyed it. I’ve never come so hard or felt so alive. I don’t know what that means.”
“It means nothing. We agreed that we can’t go on like this, and I won’t jeopardize your job at Venom for my own selfish desires. I promise that when you come to work tomorrow… if you want to come to work tomorrow… that I will be professional, and I’ll get you ready to take over Rooftop.”
“Ryder…”
“Good night, baby girl.” It’s the last time I’ll utter those words to her. She deserves so much better than me.
I get out and round the car, opening her door to let her escape me.
“Goodnight, Sir.” She disappears inside before I have a chance to respond, and it takes everything inside me not to follow her in and make her mine.
God, I want her to be mine.
As I’m about to pull away from the curb, my phone beeps.
Dalton: Where the hell did you go?
Me: Long story.
Dalton: You won the award.
Me: What?
Dalton: I just had to give an acceptance speech on your behalf. What the fuck, bro?
Me: Thanks. I’ll explain tomorrow. I’m heading home.
Dalton: Are you okay? Want to meet me at the club? I can head over there now.
