She smiled, not a hint of anxiety or fear in her sparkling eyes. I couldn’t wait to gather a glimpse of the color of them. “You don’t scare me, Mr. Durante. Few men do. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I do need to get back to work. I rely on tips and your members aren’t happy when I’m not in my cage at my specified time.”
“I said. Sit. Down. I will not tell you again.”
I was shocked as she grabbed my glass, tossing my drink in my face. With that, she moved away, holding her shoulders back and her head held high.
And I’d never wanted a woman more than I did at that moment.
Growling, I wiped my face, then fisted my hand around my glass, almost shattering it in my fingers. Goddamn the audacity of the woman.
I turned my head in Paul’s direction and he came without so much as a twitch of my hand.
“I take it that didn’t go over very well,” he said.
“She’s defiant, which under normal circumstances would be a firing offense. However, I can tell how enthused our membersare. Unfortunately, she does need to learn a lesson. Bring her to the room of pain.”
His mouth twisted and for the first time since I’d hired the man, he disagreed openly with my request. “Sir, I mean no disrespect, but I don’t want to lose her.”
“Take her to the room.” When he hesitated, I sighed. “Unless you’d like to find another job.”
“Of course not, sir. Right away, sir,” he hissed.
I was certain I’d never have another disagreement with the man. One was always enough. I returned to my drink, concentrating on enjoying the smooth scotch as it slid down my throat.
But in my mind, I thought about all the dark and filthy things I was going to do to the woman and not just once.
As often as I desired.
I would punish her for her egregious behavior, breaking down her walls of shame and inhibition.
I would pleasure her beyond her wildest imagination, driving her into the kind of ecstasy few women ever experienced.
I would teach her how to submit, surrendering not just her luscious body but her soul to the man who’d just become her master as well.
Then I would brand her as mine.
My toy.
My submissive.
My pet.
CHAPTER 2
Cassie
My name is Cassie Lark.I’m a good girl. I follow the rules. I never stray.
Until now.
And on this day I was Dahlia, the Black Dahlia to be exact. While I’d planned this moment for almost three months, I’d remained determined not to be attracted to my mark. But everything had changed the moment I’d been brought before him like a prized doll. Alexander Durante was captivating, his commanding actions nothing like I’d expected.
Mysterious.
Alluring.
Handsome.
The three words categorized the horrible man perfectly. He wasn’t the monster I’d prepared myself for seeing. There was a level of polish exuding from every pore. He was suave andsophisticated, a truly powerful man. He radiated sensuality in every movement, and his deep baritone was almost as exciting as the way he handled himself. He was domination personified.
