Destined for the Dom (Masters of Submission, #2)(31)

He beat his chest with his fist. “You just don’t get it, do you, Zo?. I’m always with you at the club. I’m always there to protect and look after you. This is different. You’re gonna be dancing up close and personal with strange men you’ve never set eyes on before. You need protecting from yourself.” If Hunter was jealous, why didn’t he just come out and say it?

“Look, we’ve already had this conversation. Let’s face it, I’m a burden. This way I can pay my own way.”


“I can’t believe you want to return to exotic dancing.” He held out his hands, palm up as if he couldn’t understand her motives. “Why, Zo?? Why? It’s never once made you happy. So why go back to it?”

It was true. She’d hated working as a dancer at Les Belles. The way the guys ogled her like she was a piece of meat had seriously undermined her self worth. How could she have forgotten that humiliation? Hunter was right, but her stubborn pride refused to back down now.

When her cab pulled up, she looked out of the window. “Look, my ride’s here. I’m going, and that’s final.”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Hunter angrily threw his chicken leg across the floor, and halted her progress.

“Hunter, let me go. You’re embarrassing me. My cab is waiting.”

His eyes blazed hotly. “I don’t give a f*ck about your cab. You’re coming with me.” When she refused to come willingly, he threw her over his shoulder and hauled her up the stairs. He slapped her ass three times for good measure.

“Ow, that hurts, you bastard. Put me down.”

“Gladly.” Without finesse, he dumped her on his bed. When she tried to escape, he hooked a set of handcuffs around her wrists, and secured her to the headboard.

Without a word he left the room.

“You come back here right this minute, Mister, and unlock these f*cking cuffs.” When he didn’t return, she screamed at the top of her voice. “Let me go, you bastard.” She was wasting her breath. All she heard was silence.





Chapter Sixteen




Hunter paced up and down outside the house. Damn. Things had come to a head with Zo?. He just couldn’t allow her to go to that f*cking club and parade her body around. He knew exactly what went through men’s minds when they watched a beautiful woman sexily gyrate in front of them. He just couldn’t stomach the thought of other men ogling her body, then jerking off when they got home.

She was his. Zo? belonged to him.

How can she belong to you, dude? You haven’t committed to her. You haven’t even told the girl you love her yet. What the f*ck’s she supposed to think? She’s all alone for days on end, and when you return from work, you won’t even let her out of the house. As soon as you finally let her go, she’ll be gone for good. She’ll pack her bags and you won’t see her again. Is that what you want, dummy?

Tell her how you really feel about her, you dumb bastard. She’ll understand.

Everyone I’ve ever loved has either deserted me or died. I’m not ready to tell her I love her yet.

Then you’re a Goddamn idiot, because you’ll lose her anyway. She won’t understand why you don’t commit to her.

Maybe if he could just explain how he felt inside.

In frustration, Hunter ruffled his hair with his hands. Shit, I’ve stirred up a real f*cking hornet’s nest and all because I’m jealous. He was jealous of any man who found Zo? attractive. The idea of her dancing provocatively in front of a bunch of guys made him see red. Okay, so plenty of guys ogled Zo? at Club Submission, but he was there and in control of the situation. If any guy ogled Zo? without his permission, he wouldn’t think twice about punching his lights out.

Hunter glanced at his watch. She’d been handcuffed up there for almost five minutes. Her wrists must be starting to ache. He couldn’t leave her for much longer. Perhaps he should check on her, and if she’d calmed down a bit, take it from there.

He climbed the stairs two at a time, and then pushed open the bedroom door. Zo? lay on the bed, completely motionless. The restrictive nature of the handcuffs meant her arms were raised high above her head. He na?vely wondered if she were sleeping. He soon realized how wrong he’d been when her angry voice pierced through the gathering darkness. “Hunter, get these cuffs off, now.”

“And just what will happen if I do?”

“That’s for me to know, and for you to find out.”

“Then I’d better wait a while until you’ve calmed down.”

“I ain’t never gonna calm down, Hunter. You can’t control my life like this. I won’t allow you to.” Zo? seethed with obvious frustration. She rattled the cuffs against the metal headboard. “Just let me go, Mister. I’ve about had it with you.”

Hunter switched on the bedside lamp.

“Oh, wonder of wonders, we have light at last. I thought you were going to keep me in the dark, like a prisoner forever.” Her voice dripped with undisguised sarcasm.

Hunter felt like a selfish bastard. “I know I’ve acted harshly, but it’s for your own good, Peaches.”


“For my own good, for my own good?” She sounded exasperated. “You sanctimonious prick. I needed that money to be independent from you.”