But I was too weak.
I gently rapped my knuckles against the door as I opened it.
He lay on his back with his face pointed to the ceiling. The sheets were bunched around his waist, and his hand rested on his chest. “Come here.” He pulled the sheets back so I could join him, just as wide awake as I was.
I slipped in between the covers and cuddled into his side, immediately feeling better once he was beside me. His powerful body was a natural heater, emitting warmth that absorbed into the cotton sheets.
He wrapped his strong arms around me and held me close, feeling like a dream. His lips brushed my hairline, and he sighed in contentment once I was beside him. “There’s something I’d like to say.”
“Okay…”
“The first time we met, you slapped me in that bar—three times.”
“Yes…I remember.” I was still embarrassed about it.
“I didn’t tell you to stop because I liked it. I liked the pain, the crack of your palm against my cheek. I liked the way my skin lit on fire from the heat. I liked the rage in your eyes, the satisfaction you received from punishing me. My cock had never been harder, and all I wanted to do was bend you over the bar and fuck you.”
My heart rate spiked from his honesty—as well as arousal.
“That’s what I want us to have. That scorching, sexy kind of pain that feels so good. It’s not about hurting you to get off. It’s about both of us experiencing the same adrenaline, the same rush. I want you to understand that.”
I knew he really wanted to get his way, but no matter what he said, I was too stubborn to change my mind. I loved this man—still. And I had a feeling I would always love this man. But love wasn’t enough to overcome my past, to allow someone to use me like I’d been used before. I’d been down that road too many times. No more.
Calloway knew his words had no effect on me. He sighed then buried his face into my neck. His comforting arms wrapped around me again, and he pulled my leg over his hip, exactly where he liked it. His cock pressed against me, long and thick. But he didn’t try to have sex with me even though he probably could have seduced me if he’d tried.
I hated disappointing him.
But I didn’t want to disappoint myself.
18
Calloway
I escorted her to work, to lunch, and back home again—like clockwork. I wanted to know where she was at all times so that motherfucker couldn’t make another pass at her. As the days went by and her bruises disappeared, calm slowly emerged.
But I would always be pissed underneath.
I tried getting Rome to reconsider my offer. I even offered her a compromise.
But she wouldn’t take it.
In the beginning, I was attracted to her fire, her stubbornness. I loved her strength and her ability to command a room despite her small stature. But now, it was seriously biting me in the ass.
She was unwilling to accept anything less than what she deserved.
Despite my annoyance, I actually respected her for it.
And that just made me want her more.
It was a vicious cycle. I wanted this woman so badly, but I couldn’t have her. Several times, I considered caving and just giving her what she wanted. Maybe I wouldn’t be a Dom anymore, but at least I would still have her. I enjoyed spending time with her, sleeping with her, and everything else that came with the package.
But could I hide my dark side forever?
Probably not.
I sat in my office at Humanitarians United and looked out the window and across the city. Hank was out there somewhere, living his life like a cockroach under the sink. I would find him, and very soon, I would squash him with my shoe. He had no idea I was coming for him, that he’d pissed off a powerful man who shouldn’t be provoked.
Rome would get her revenge. I’d see to it.
At the end of the day, I walked to her office and announced my presence silently, with just a look.
Even though her back was to me, she picked up on my arrival. She looked at me with those beautiful emeralds for eyes then packed up her things to leave. She wore a tight skirt and a formfitting blouse. Her legs looked unbelievable in her skirt.
I wanted to fuck her so bad.
Six weeks had come and gone without sex. I was going crazy, and I wondered if she was going crazy too.
She had to be.
We left the building, ignoring everyone’s prying looks as we passed. Everyone knew we were sleeping together, and that was just fine with me. Dean was skittish around me, realizing he’d hit on the boss’s lady. He probably thought he was going to get fired at any moment.