The Auction (Club Indulgence Duet, #1)(38)

Why is he rejecting me?

He removes my hands from his neck and pins my wrists above my head, stretching me as far as possible. His face darkens.

I don't know what I did wrong, but my pulse creeps up, pounding harder and harder between my ears until I can barely hear the waves crashing outside, even though the slider door is open.

Riggs questions, "Did I give you permission to touch me?"

Confusion and hurt fill me. I stutter, "I-I just wanted to show you my gratitude."

Every moment that passes with him scowling makes me feel smaller and smaller.

I inquire, "Why are you acting like this?"

His features darken further. He threatens, "Don't confuse what happened outside with our agreement, pet."

Anger and frustration swirl within me. I blurt out, "What does that mean, Riggs?"

His blues turn to stone. He tightens his grip on my wrists, adding more pressure until I'm on my tiptoes. He grasps my chin with his other hand and leans into my ear, keeping his voice calm yet sharp, stating, "Review the contract if you don't understand what it means and take this as a warning. The next time you break rule seven, there will be consequences." He retreats, leering at me, assessing my reaction as if it's fun for him.

My insides quiver. How can someone be so passionate an hour ago and supportive of my dreams yet sound so hurtful?

He never flinches or releases me, as if daring me to cave and be the first to move. It continues for so long that my toes begin to ache. I'm determined not to show him any weakness, but my legs begin to wobble.

I glare at him, which only makes his sinister smile appear. He chuckles, then declares, "Your defiance will be your downfall."

"Meaning?" I seethe.

He removes his hand off my chin and drags his knuckles over my cheeks, neck, and breasts.

I shudder from the tingles erupting under his touch, reprimanding myself for responding to him.

Arrogance overpowers his features as he claims, "Every moment I give you is my choice, Blakley. I created the rules. I decide what happens here. Don't ever forget it."

My mouth turns dry.

He warns, "I assure you I'll enjoy administering your punishments as much as giving you pleasure." His lips curl tighter as he adds, "And the punishment won't be something you enjoy."

I try not to react, but the shaking in my legs gets more intense. And I'm confident by his expression that I have a horrified look on my face. How can I not?

Once again, I'm being naive. Everything was in the contract I signed and then agreed to after he made me read it all day. It's not the first time he's mentioned punishments, but would he really do something awful to me?

My curiosity about how far he would go grows.

Unable to control my balance, my body bows into his.

He circles his arm around my waist, grips the tender spot on my ass, and uses it to prop me up. He keeps my wrists in the air, not giving me any relief.

He continues studying me, as if he can see deep into my soul and read all my thoughts. It takes everything in my power not to flinch or look away.

"Ah, this is going to be more fun than I planned," he announces.

My breath hitches. I blink harder, wishing I understood everything he's referring to and where he's coming from on all of this.

He finally releases me and steps back. "I have work issues I need to attend to. Work on your music."

He spins and reaches for the doorknob. The door opens, and the two delivery men stand near their truck in the driveway.

I shouldn't care that he wants to leave after what he just did. I don't consider myself a clingy person. But something about him leaving after all the different exchanges we had this morning makes me panic. I blurt out, "When will you be home?"

He freezes, and his shoulders tighten. He turns his head, lowers his voice so the others can't hear, and in a stern voice answers, "When I decide."





12





Riggs





Anger rages inside me. It's not at Blakley. Nothing is her fault. I shouldn't have lost control in the shower and kissed her.

She's going to want more. I can already see it.

Hell, I want more, and it can't happen again. Kissing leads to attachments. The last thing I need is to take my eye off what's important, which is taking down Hugh. So no matter how much I'm attracted to his daughter, she's my secret weapon. I need to remember that at all times. And I quickly need to regain the power in this relationship.

It's why I had to call her pet in front of the delivery men. I knew it would embarrass her as well as distort her rose-colored view of what happened this morning between us.

Then there's the issue of the delivery guys. Sam gets a pass. He had the willpower not to give my pet lewd looks. On the other hand, Wayne has my wrath coming to him.

I step outside the beach house, intentionally not giving Blakely an answer she wants to hear, and head down the driveway toward the men.

Everything I felt as a child spins inside me, and the monster within me takes off his disguise. I lunge at Wayne, spinning him into the truck and restraining him to the metal with my forearm against his spine. I grab him by the hair, tugging until his face is toward the sky and he's choking for air.

"Easy!" Sam yells.