Damaged Goods

“Dani!” Killian called out. “How the hell are you?”

“Better than you, apparently,” she fired back, hopping on my counter and earning a glare from me before my attention returned to Keir.

“You. Left,” Keir growled as he stalking forward, my heart slamming in my ribcage as he approached. Slowly, I moved away until my back hit the display behind me, a few games shaking loose, but I didn't look away either. “You fucking left. Again.”

“I did,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper as I swallowed hard. Seeing him like this always turned me on, the submissive side of me standing eagerly at attention, and I seemed to lack the proper sense to say anything worthwhile.

“Let me just tell you one last time because it hasn’t fucking gotten in that stubborn skull of yours. You. Are. Ours. You don’t get to leave. I’ll follow you to the ends of the fucking world, Princess. Just fucking try me.” The heat and rage in his words were real, and the bratty side of me couldn’t fucking help itself.

“You seem to forget that I’ll do what I fucking want, Adrostos,” I fired back, my brain coming back online just enough to put fire in my tone.

“Keep thinking that,” he laughed, shaking his head. “Now, before I claim you right he

re in your store, I suggest you rethink this rebellion of yours and come to the club tonight. It’s time for a redo, and then we need to go over a few rules, it seems.”

“And if I don’t?” He chuckled, low and dark, as he leaned in so that his lips brushed against mine for a moment before he continued.

“If you don’t, then I’ll come for you, and the punishment will be so much worse,” he promised before sliding his hand around my shoulders to the nape of my neck, squeezing as he brought his lips to mine. The kiss was possessive and claiming, leaving me breathless before he bit down on the soft flesh of my bottom lip, blood filling my mouth as he pulled away, looking satisfied. I gasped involuntarily, the new cut in my lip stinging. My blood colored his pink lips a dark red, and instead of wiping it off, he licked it clean, sliding his tongue slowly, almost sensually, over it.

“You dick,” I said, putting pressure on my bleeding and swollen lip, I cocked my fist back, prepared to return the favor, but he batted it away, chuckling darkly before slamming into me again.

“Be good,” he hissed, kissing me roughly to increase the bleeding then sucking my bottom lip into his mouth before pulling away once more.

“No,” I growled, but he continued on like I never spoke.

“You know… I always thought blood was kind of like hot chocolate, all rich and warm, just with a lot more screaming,” he said, the statement startling me enough that my mouth dropped open. He grinned like a madman, my fresh blood on his lip as he turned and walked away.

“Club tonight,” Kyrell ordered, giving me a look that brokered no arguments. “It appears your ass needs a few handprints, Kitten.”

“Club?” Dani perked up, giving me a sideways look. “Oh, I’m for sure coming too, and you can give me your keys because I doubt it’s our place you’ll come back to.”

“Our place?” Killian asked, amused as he glanced from Dani to me.

“I apparently have an unexpected roommate who hates my apartment,” I said dryly, but he looked vindicated rather than insulted on my behalf.

“Good, so move the fuck out of that rat trap,” he said firmly.Without a goodbye, he turned to leave, the others following behind.

“Damn, that sexual tension was thick!” Dani cackled, hopping down from the counter. “Now I need a coffee refill. Want anything?”

“Vodka,” I half-joked, but she grabbed her bag and dug around, pulling out an entire bottle with a grin.

“There was a liquor store down the road, so I can always replenish if we need. Be back soon,” she promised. When she left, I pulled out my laptop and started going through the online orders and inventory, knowing work would be the only damn thing keeping me sane in the end.

When she finally walked back in, I had the inventory finished and was checking out a kid buying a new gaming system. She waited semi-patiently as we wrapped it up, her toes finally starting to tap as the mom thanked me before they left.

“Jesus, who is this smiling, friendly bitch?” Dani teased as my smile dropped.

“It’s called a customer service voice. You should learn it,” I fired back, taking my hot chocolate from her hand. “Didn't I ask for the vodka?”

“I got you both,” she said, gesturing to my cup. I raised my eyebrow but took a drink, the burn of unexpected alcohol making me cough.

“Holy shit, there’s like ninety-nine percent vodka in here!”

“You’ll need it for tonight,” she teased, and because I couldn't argue, I took another pull of the fiery warmth, prepared this time.

“Yes, I will. And yet again I have to dress up… or not.” The thought alone had me groaning. Something about putting on the fancy dresses and heels made me feel powerful… but I also felt like an imposter, stepping all too well into a role I had been groomed for.

“So you’re going to show up to their club in what, a vintage tee and jeans?” she asked, raising an eyebrow in clear judgment.