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Silently, he shakes his head, and continues inspecting his work.

“I might not be able to get the colour match quite right for you”

“Oh well, you’ve fucked it then, honestly I knew I should’ve checked the reviews before I inherited you. Outrageous workmanship. Unbelievable, wasting my fucking time”

I’m not sure my banter lands quite right, with the look he shoots me. Or maybe he’s silent bantering back.

“Maybe you’ll have to get the last guy back” he shoots back. He was joking, I’m sure he was joking. He’s being sarcastic. But fuck that one was like taking an artillery shell to the chest. Suddenly it’s like my inner child is stood there having been drop kicked in the chin by a rugby player. My chin gives the slightest wobble before I come to my senses and return fire.

“I’ll take it under consideration. I’m pretty sure I’m still in my money back guarantee period. Satisfaction or my money back, I think I’m lacking on the satisfaction… I might need convincing”

That one lands. I just waved a red rag to a bull. He takes exactly one breath in through his nose, but instead of scraping his foot on the floor he walks towards me without his gaze ever leaving mine. The heat emanating from him backs me to the wall once again.

His breath brushes my face, and his eyelids almost disappear. He usually says very little because he chooses to. This time I think he’s actually struggling for what to say. He examines me, from head to toe. Slowly he devours me with his eyes. A man crazed, possessed even.

“Do you know… what comes before satisfaction…?” he asks, slowly taking his time with every word. His proximity making me tremble, part terrified, part lusting. I’m stuck for words, even my smart arse and lightning wit just cannot comprehend what is going on right now. I start to squirm, and he puts his hand on my left hip, pinning me in place sending flutters and sparks through every nerve ending in my body.

“I… uh…” I stumble, biting my lip and finally breaking, and averting from his gaze. Looking down does me absolutely no good as I’m now staring inches from this work of art.

He brings his mouth so close that his lips brush my ear with the answer to his own question. “Anticipation”

Fuck. Electricity shoots up my spine. I still can’t speak. But he carries on, I rub my thighs together, squirming under his grip, my back starting to arch towards him.

“But, satisfaction is guaranteed…” he continues, and I lean in, desperate to intertwine our tongues. To break every rule I’ve ever given myself, to throw myself on top of this man right now. My body cooks, shakes, and aches. I need him. I need him right now. I need to feel every inch of him.

He pulls back. And confusion overwhelms me.

“You haven’t signed on the dotted line yet, Sawyer”

My thoughts are interrupted by his hand exploring from my hip to my cheek, his thumb running along my lips. I go to kiss him again, and his tender hand turns strong. He pins me by my jaw to the wall.

“I don’t play well with others…” he continues and I start to understand what’s been holding me back “…I’ll be the worst thing to ever happen to you” I stare into his eyes, perplexed “I will ruin you, and you will beg me to do it over… and over… again” my brain barely registers the words. It’s the tone, the dangerous seduction.

He speaks so little that I’m entranced, this glimpse into his mind is terrifying. I should run. I know I should run. To anywhere. But I can’t, I’m already snared.

“Give yourself to me, we’ll burn the whole fucking world together”

I’m breathless, speechless and fucking clueless. But something in me tells me this is right. Seconds pass, my hips naturally writhing. My face aches from his grip. I don’t want him to let go. I don’t ever want him to let go.

“… okay…” I finally manage

His face turns to a sick grin, a grimace almost. A knowing, filthy grimace. It pulls something deep within me. I’m going to enjoy this, in the same way you can’t help prodding a sore tooth with your tongue.

“Okay, what?”

“I’m yours… only yours” and a wave of everything overcomes me. Relief, like enlightenment, like my life suddenly aligns with my destiny.

He releases his grip, slides his hand into my hair and grabs it firmly, pulling me to his chest

“There’s my good girl”

Well, there we go. That’s a fucking thing. My whole body goes weak, my stomach flutters so hard, and everything opens for him there and then.

He pulls my hair backwards, forcing me to look up at him. His other hand coming to my cheek, he releases his grip on my hair and cups my face in his grip. Like staring up into the clouds and seeing God. Old Testament God, vengeful and unforgiving, fraught with danger and tests. And I just passed.

He kisses me, claiming my mouth with almost aggressive passion. Then he pulls my face from his, puts his forehead on mine and whispers his first commandment. One simple instruction.

“Get on your knees”