the barely there shorts that kept my libido in check when I saw Rex in his sexy collared white shirt, cuffs rolled up, and leather apron.
Tonight was perfect.
Until the air was shattered by a raised voice. “And why not? Huh? Is this because of that little bitch Slate? Or that twisted fucking Rex?”
Just as I’d thought, Isaac was trying to slink inside like nothing had happened.
A few of the guys standing around nearby cast me concerned looks, but I brushed off their concern and walked toward the entrance of Dom Nation, still carrying the cupcake tray on one forearm.
There he was—staring down Tony, who looked strangely unconcerned for a guy even smaller than Brighton. He just twirled a finger through his hair and looked bored, though I noticed he had adopted a fighting stance, and there was a DM in a fluorescent jacket standing next to him now.
Was this a haven for superconfident Dom twinks?
“Yes, it is,” I said, raising my voice to catch Isaac’s attention. “Or rather, it’s because of Rex that I realized what you did to me—for years—was wrong. That you lied to me when you said I was the only one, for two years straight. That you were just stopping by my house on the way home from here to let off steam, while telling me you didn’t like the scene, all so I wouldn’t come here and tell your friends that you pretend you don’t know what consent is.”
A crowd was gathering, murmuring with surprise and interest. Everyone loved a good gossip-rich story.
“Fuck you,” Isaac spat.
I didn’t even flinch. I wasn’t afraid anymore. “You should be so lucky. You were, once. And you threw it away—threw me away. Thank God for that. Now I know what submission is supposed to be like. Now I have a choice.”
Isaac snarled. He looked at Tony and then around at everyone else. “It’s a pack of lies. You all know I wouldn’t do that. I’ve never hurt anyone who didn’t want to be hurt.”
“Technically true,” I said with an ice-cold smile. “Which has nothing in common with the truth.”
“You guys have known me—” Isaac started, slipping into an oily voice I recognized. He could charm his way into bed and out of trouble with that voice.
“Save it,” said one of the guys nearby, hands on his hips. “You’re blacklisted. Get over it.”
“I’ll leave the city, you know!” Isaac snapped. “You’ll never find another Dom like me, none of you. I’m the best at what I do.” Insulting the people he was trying to win over—not the best strategy. I fought back a laugh as the scoffs and jeers grew louder.
“Listen,” Tony cut in with a wave of his hand. His eyes flicked coldly up and down Isaac as he sneered. “You’re not getting in, buddy. Nowhere in the city will have you. You broke the rules, and it wasn’t even an accident. No second chances.”
“Fuck you!” Isaac snarled at Tony, and then turned to me. “And fuck you in your pathetic little saggy ass.” He took a step forward and then tripped over the black cloth barrier, hands and legs flailing everywhere as he hit the sidewalk.
I burst out laughing. “Really? That’s the best you can do?” He sounded like a petulant child—not the larger-than-life villain who had haunted my fantasies and then my nightmares. Sprawled out on the pavement, he was just human—and a pathetic human at that.
“You’ll regret this!”
“No,” I said softly and smiled. “I don’t even regret being with you. I just don’t care anymore. So I sure as hell won’t regret being in love.”
And I turned and walked away, heading straight to Daddy Cakes, my heart lighter than ever. Behind me, I heard Tony calling a taxi for Isaac while the guys around me murmured and touched my arm in passing, giving me respectful and concerned nods. I gave them all my I’m fine smile while encouraging them to take the last few cupcake samples.
“All done,” I announced as I pushed open the door of the cupcake shop, presenting my empty platter. “With this and with Isaac.”
Rex was wiping the work surfaces down, but at my words, he sucked in a harsh breath and came out from behind the counter. He looked like the king of the jungle all of a sudden, prepared to hunt down and destroy anyone muscling in on his territory. On his mate.
“Where is he?”
It made me shiver with pleasure, an electric shiver dancing along my bare skin and straight to