Falling for the Villain

I metaphorically dumped the prescription for sanity the day he took me against the piano and laughed at the idea of ever returning to normal. I stayed as calm as I could, looking demure, folding my hands in my lap when all I wanted was to run around the room screaming in excitement.

Finally.

I said what I wanted.

“It’s interesting you decided today was the day to tell me you wanted a job. Considering, I already decided you get to host the next auction. You’ll need Elaina’s help, of course, but you’ll be able to decide the menu down to the first appetizer.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key fob. “Also, I was late because I was out shopping for this.”

“A key?” I took it in my hand, rubbing the Lamborghini symbol so much I was surprised it didn’t rub completely off. “For what?”

“Your new car,” he simply replied, standing to his feet. “I’d get going, by the way. You only have a week to prepare for the next auction, and Elaina needs help with the preparations.”

Stunned, I looked down at my outfit. I was wearing a silk nightie since I had to be naked nearly twenty-four seven. My collar never came off.

“I need to go get ready.”

“She wouldn’t be surprised if you showed up like that.” Donovan shrugged. “But do as you wish. I’m going to go take a shower.”

Panic set in as he began to walk away.

Was he done with me? No longer interested? Why else would he be so accommodating?

The idea of him shoving me away had me ready to fall to my knees. I sucked in a breath. And another. Until all I was doing was trying to breathe.

Donovan grabbed my body and pulled me against him. “Shhh, pet, you’re safe.”

I clung to him, wrapping my arms around his neck so tightly it hurt.

“You wanted this,” he reminded me. “And it’s because of your reaction now that I’m giving it to you. Because you can’t live without the pain or the pleasure. You can’t live without your master, and now you know what it feels like when everything secure in your life looks like it’s washing away.” He pried his body from mine and kissed my forehead. “You need me as much as I need you—never forget it.”

With that, he walked away.

I rubbed the key fob in my hand, realizing, maybe, this was more than a test. This was him giving me the space I needed to thrive.

Even if it killed him.

I quickly got ready, and he met me at the door, letting me know I could drive my new car; however, I must follow the ten guards he was sending with me. At that point, I didn’t care if he had a hundred of them on my ass if it meant I could leave the estate by myself.

He told me Elaina was waiting for me at the other property, the one where Troy had hurt me, triggering my body to shiver at the memory.

If Donovan noticed my reaction, he didn’t call me out on it. I knew he must have noticed; the man noticed everything.

I jumped into my new ride, ready to meet Elaina, only to get sidetracked by the gorgeous SUV and the small card and rose waiting for me on the passenger side.

“Yours,” it read.

His.

I was his.

He was mine.

I sniffed the rose way too long and then started the vehicle.

Minutes later, I was smiling at myself in the rearview mirror of my new Lambo SUV, wondering how the hell he was even able to get one on such short notice.

Suddenly, my mind reminded me of all the times we’d traveled this road in my other car, with my family and friends. All the times I’d looked out the window and wished for purpose, something more, better. All the times I’d compared myself to my brother and everyone else in my powerful family, knowing I’d always come up short.

I frowned at the steering wheel, not even knowing I was taking the familiar exit until it was too late. I drove on autopilot, taking a right, then a left, a right, driving on for five miles until I was in front of the gates. It was ten thousand square feet. Huge. Had brick everywhere and a circular driveway. There was a special entrance in the front, a private entrance in the back. It used to be mine.

My family’s.

The guards didn’t get out of their vehicles. They stopped, watching and waiting. I exhaled, my fingers gripping the steering wheel like it was going to come off the car at any minute, and I had only one job—keep them there.

I didn’t know how long I stared, but long enough to realize one thing. As confused as my mind was, my body knew. It worked on autopilot for me, driving away and toward the manor I was meeting Elaina at. The SUV in front of me once again led the way. In that moment, I didn’t just choose Donovan.