“Call me by that name again.” I shoved in deeper, rhythm going wild. “I want that motherfucker, wherever he is, to know you’re mine. Say it.”
“Fuck... Konflict! Fill my pussy... Please...”
Hearing her say it shattered the last of my restraint. My hands locked around her waist, my whole body seizing up as I exploded inside her, my dick pulsing, pumping into her until there was nothing left to give. Serenity shivered in my arms, her eyes glazed and shining. I crushed my mouth to hers, desperate and wild, pouring everything I had left into that kiss. I held her there, our bodies tangled, my balls still emptying inside her. My breathing was ragged, my lungs burning.
I broke the kiss and pressed my forehead to hers. I gasped for air, my mind spinning too fast to catch a thought. My heart was pounding so fast it hurt, blood roaring in my ears. And before I could stop myself, I said it. One word, raw and unguarded. A truth I had never meant to let slip.
“You’re mine, Venus,” I breathed against her lips.
We both froze, our bodies tensed up.
Her eyes snapped open, meeting my gaze and I realized what I had just done. My guard dropped and my secret was out in the open before I could shut my mouth. Panic rushed through me even though I tried to hide it.
“What did you call me?”
With confusion and suspicion mixed in her voice, her eyes searched my face for the truth.
I felt every inch of my body go tight, the name still burning on my tongue. I couldn’t take it back. The mask was slipping, and I was scared she was about to see everything I’d fought to keep buried.
Chapter Nine
SERENITY VEYLOR-KORVEN
He called me Venus!
How the fuck did he know? Nobody had called me that in years.
My father was Vince, my brother was Vernon, and I wanted to fit in so much that I begged for a name that made me feel more like I belonged.
After Knox said it, I demanded an answer. He saidVenusfit me better than princess because it held all the power he saw in me—love, desire, beauty, and raw sexuality. Even though his words made sense, doubt still lingered under my skin.
I tried to ask more, but he silenced me with a kiss then told me to let go and let him take control. Then he fucked me so good, every thought vanished until I passed out in his arms.
I didn’t know how long I slept. I only remembered Vixen waking me before sunrise, telling me I had to leave right away.The escort was gone, but the ache he left behind wouldn’t fade. I wanted to ask who he was, but Vixen didn’t give me space to breathe, let alone question anything. If anyone saw Konflict Korven’s wife walking out of a brothel at dawn, the consequences would be catastrophic. Rumors would sweep through the city within minutes, and Konflict would use them as justification to end me long before the annulment.
Standing under the shower, I replayed everything he did to me—every thrust, every sound, every dirty word. My hands searched for the spots he’d claimed, trying to bring back that feeling, but nothing even came close.
I stepped out of the shower, dried off, and chose a dress that made me feel beautiful and different. I wasn’t the same woman I was yesterday. I felt complete and confident andfree.
As I fastened the last button, Valery knocked and pushed the door open slightly.
“Your breakfast is ready,” she said, voice calm but hesitant. “And there is someone waiting for you.”
My attention snapped to her. “Who is waiting for me.”
“You will see when you reach the dining room. But you may want to prepare yourself before you walk in.” She shifted her weight on her heels.
I studied her face, searching for anything she wasn’t saying. “Valery. Who is it.”
“It is better if you see for yourself.”
Her tone settled uneasily in my stomach.
I made my way down the corridor then when I entered the dining room, my breath caught in my throat.
Konflict was sitting at the table, settled in the chair as if the estate was his alone. His Timberlands were set wide on the floor, his posture loose. His dark brown skin caught the morning light in a way that drew my gaze without effort. The black hoodie he wore was pulled low, but I could still make out the clean lines ofhis cropped hair. He was clean-shaven too, and that only made the sharp angles of his jaw stand out more, especially when he clenched his teeth.
He didn’t look at me. He just kept spreading butter on his toast with slow movements, ignoring me, and that fucking pissed me off.
