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She marches toward me, head high. A smug lilt to her lips. She’s so fucking proud of herself.

I grip her upper arm before she can sail past me.

“Let go.” She tries to get out of my grip, so I throw her over my shoulder and carry her ass back inside the building.

There’s a powder room just inside and I shut us in there. I flip the lock before I put her down.

She backs up, but to hell with that. She doesn’t get space after that shit she just pulled.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Her hip bumps the vanity. There’s a challenge in her gaze. Excitement.

Both palms pressed into the countertop, I pen her in. “You can’t fucking do that.”

“Do what?” Her breaths quicken. “Kiss Daddy Rook? It’s not like I’m fucking him. Yet.”

I grip her chin and force eye contact. I’m angry for so many reasons, but at least this part needs to sink in for her. “He’s your security. He’s the person in charge of keeping you safe from Marco. He already fucked up once. Do you really think kissing him... playing with his focus is a good fucking idea? I need you to promise me you won’t do it again.”

“The fuck I will. I can do whatever the hell I want. Whenever I want. With whoever I want.” She shoves me.

I don’t give her an inch. She’s infuriating. “Why do you have to be so damn pigheaded?”

“Fine. Fucking my security would probably be a bad idea. Whatever.” She stands taller. Right up in my face. “But my point remains. You don’t get to tell me who I can or can’t do. If I have no say in what you’re doing with Sonatina, you have no say in my life.”

“Fine. I have a say in his life and everyone else on the tour. I’ll make sure no one will touch you.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “It was one freaking kiss.”

“There is no such thing with you. One kiss from you can slay a fucking man.” One kiss and she was all that I wanted. All I could think about. I want to brush my thumb over her lower lip, remind myself how plump and pillowy her mouth is. “Rook isn’t the exception. He’s the fucking rule. He was into it. What if he’s too busy trying to work out how to get closer to you that he fucks up and puts you at risk?”

“You’re jealous.” Her voice has become sultry. “He was just playing along.”

“No, he wasn’t. And yes, I’m fucking jealous.” Wasn’t that the point? To show me what my choices are costing me. “I’m fucking aware that every day it takes to dig up something I can use against Sonatina is another day you keep me at a distance.”

“Good. I’m glad you get it.” She looks at the door. Any second now she’s going to try to get past me.

I draw her focus back. Lock our gazes. “We’re not done. There’s another point I want to make very clear.”

She wets her lips. “Go on.”

“You called him fucking Daddy.”

“I did.”

“You want to call anyone Daddy, that’s me. That’s still me, Little Vandal. That will always be me. I’m the one you felt safe enough to confide in about wanting to be dominated. The one you chose to Dom you.” The only reason she calls me Rockstar instead of Daddy is because when all this started, she didn’t feel comfortable with the moniker, but if she’s going to use it... It’s going to be with me. “You were my Candy Head. Now you’re my Little Vandal. These needs... all your needs... are still mine to take care of.”

25

Kelsey

Ikind of hate myself when a whimper escapes me. His words shouldn’t mean anything... they shouldn’t make my eyes sting with emotion... because he still wants that role in my life to be his. I shouldn’t want to drop to my knees because I can see how much he means it.

His words shouldn’t get me hot anymore... or turn the inside of my panties into a melted slushie. I should be immune to him. He keeps letting me down.

I want to be immune. I am so fucking not.

“Fuck. I can smell you.” His eyes darken and his eyelids fall to half-mast. He’s really fucking sexy for an asshole.

“You want me to call you, Daddy?” I murmur, my insides clenching in anticipation.