Chapter 20
Happiness fills me as I apply another coat of lip gloss and smack my lips together while staring at myself in the mirror, then smile proudly at my reflection.
Since arriving at Rafael’s house, I can’t help but feel like I’ve grown as a person, and not just because of the sex. Now that I’ve given in to his desires and his ownership of me, the burden of weight lifted makes me feel lighter, cherished, and full of a newfound confidence. I can be myself with him; he knows my weaknesses and turns them into something that benefits us both, lightening the heavy load that always pulled me down. Whenever Rafael is around me, I never have the loneliness ball of dread I’ve become accustomed to, because he simply helps me feel complete, like a treasured possession.
A sharp hiss has me spinning on my high heels.
There he stands, the man I’ve fallen for. His dark, heavy eyes roaming over my body like he could devour me, have the fire inside me simmering with anticipation. In his signature black suit, he stands tall, full of darkness, danger, and intrigue.
“You look edible, Little Doll.”
I bite on my bottom lip, pleased with the way his words slip from his mouth like warm honey, each delivering a promise of pleasure. He tenderly strokes over my long locks and tilts his head, both of us as hypnotized by one another. “Such a beautiful doll. So soft and pliable.”
Then he clears his throat, snapping me out of my consumption, and removes his hand, and my shoulders sag at the loss of him. The way I crave his attention and touch is probably classed as dependency, but I don’t have it in me to care, not when he’s just as obsessed, if not more so.
“Come, Little Doll. If we don’t leave now, I won’t be able to stop myself from fucking you into oblivion.” I beam back at him, torn between wanting just that, but also wanting one night of more.
Amazement fills me as I glance around again and smile. Fresh freesias fill the room, and even the candle arbor has them entwined in a vine with freesias hanging from them.
“It’s beautiful.”
His lip twitches as if he’s trying to control the smile ebbing at the corner of his mouth. “I’m pleased you approve.” He takes another sip of his champagne while sitting back in his chair. “I’m taking you to my club afterward.”
This piques my interest, and I sit forward, struggling to rein in my excitement. “You are?”
He casually brushes his finger over his bottom lip, and his black orbs drilling into me have me fidgeting. “I am, but we’ll be in a private room.”
Confusion floods me. We’re going to his club but not to dance? “A private room?”
“Yes.” He leans forward and steeples his hands on the table. “It’s for the best. I don’t want to have to kill any of my patrons for simply looking at you.”
A giggle rumbles in my chest, causing my shoulders to shake. “Rafael, that sounds very dramatic.”
His steely gaze bores into me with such intensity, I’m stunned to silence. My mind catches up with the intentions behind his words, and when I glance around the room at the freesias once again, I’m starkly reminded of Jovie’s demise.
My mouth falls open, and he chuckles. Then I exhale the sharp intake of breath I’ve been holding. “You’re being serious.”
“I am.” The truth behind his words slams through me.
“Ma-maybe we should just go home.”
His eyes narrow and he licks his lips as if contemplating my suggestion.
A throat clears beside me, and I turn to find the server delivering our food.
When the pretty blonde server places the steak down on the table, I glance up toward Rafael, his gaze solely on me, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Not once has this man’s loyalty toward me wavered, and I wonder what I ever did to deserve him.