In an instant, Locke’s hands are roaming my entire body. A public display that’s far too familiar. He pushes my skirt up enough to slide a hand up my thigh. His fingers slip through the large openings in my tights. Hooking my thong to the side, his palm cups me and finds the slick evidence of how much I’ve been wanting this.
“Quite the show today,” he murmurs, his thumb making a slow, deliberate circle over my clit. I can’t help the moan that breaks against his lips.
“All thatharmlessbanter,” he breathes, his fingers sliding against me, teasing my entrance before moving to circle my clit again. “All those winks and smiles you shot his way.”
He doesn’t kiss me, though his lips stay inches from mine, sharing my air. His voice isn’t cold, but it’s thick with a dark, undeniable certainty. “Even after last night, you still think you can play these games? Still want to pretend you don’t belong to anyone?”
His fingers stroke faster, a rhythmic, demanding pressure that makes my knees weak. “Well, once again, your dripping pussy says otherwise.”
He opens his mouth and bites into the base of my neck, hard enough to make me gasp, the sting immediately blooming into heat. “You’re mine,” he growls against my skin, the words a simple fact on his tongue.
His hand moves to slip underneath my shirt, his fingers finding my nipple and pinching hard enough to make me whimper.
“Say it,” he demands.
“I’m yours.” It comes out in a whisper, my voice shaky and full of need. His mouth crashes into mine, a mess of teeth and tongues.
He pulls away just enough to spin me around, his hand firm between my shoulder blades as he guides me down over one of the large black equipment trunks. The cold metal is a shock against my skin.
“I think you need a reminder of that fact,” he murmurs, his weight pressing into my back as he crowds me against the case.
I barely have time to grip the edges of the metal trunk before he lifts my skirt completely, baring me to the cool air of the night. Then the first slap lands. A stinging heat that radiates through me.
My breath hitches, a jagged sound that’s half-shock and half-surrender. My mind tries to tell me this is too much, even for him, but my body is already arching, instinctively seeking the next strike. The sudden contrast between the cold air around us and the burning on my skin creates a rush that leaves me lightheaded.
He leans down, his chest pressing into my back, his voice a low, heavy vibration against my ear.
“Say it,” he demands, his palm rubbing slow circles over the burning skin, waiting. “Who do you belong to?”
“I’m yours, Locke. I... I already said it,” I gasp, my head spinning.
Another strike lands. “Again.”
“I’m —” The next strike cut me off, stealing the air from my lungs. “Yours.”
Another slap landed, punctuated by his low voice. “Again.”
“I’m,” I gasped, arching into the heat, “yours.”
I’m lost in the blur of it all, unable to tell where the pain ends and my need begins. I’m vibrating with a need I can’t explain, leaning into the very hands that are causing me pain. It doesn’t make sense, but in this dark corner of the stage, the hurt feels like he’s pulling me closer to him the only way he knows how. I’m falling apart in his hands, and yet, I’ve never felt more secure.
The sudden flicker of the lights above us is like a bucket of ice water, dragging me back to reality as Locke’s touch turns tender, his large hands smoothing my skirt back into place over my stinging skin.
I straighten my posture and move to walk out with Locke, but he stops me. Without saying a word, one arm wraps around my back, the other slips beneath my knees, lifting me before I can protest.
He carries me to the car, despite my repeated attempts to convince him I can walk. He just silently opens the door and places me in the passenger seat of the flashy sports car he drove us in.
Locke climbs into the driver’s seat and starts the engine, the low hum of the car vibrating through me. I watch his profile in the dark, and for the first time, I don’t fight the feelings that well up. I’m falling for him.
He flew me to Italy just for a concert. He can say it’s ‘part of the job’ all he wants, but he knew I admired Jaxon from day one. So he put me backstage where I could feel the bass in my ribs. He put me in a room with the man I’ve looked up to for years. He’s spent the past few days proving he knows exactly what I love… and making sure I know he’s the one who can give it to me.
Seeing the quiet intensity in his eyes now, I’m finally understanding that his possessive nature is his way of holding on to what’s important to him.
Chapter 26
LOCKE
The drive back to the villa is pure torture. I’m starting to think a driver would’ve been the smarter move after all. I’d much rather cozy up with her in the backseat of an SUV than be here white-knuckling the steering wheel.
