Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,245

the ventilation system caressing my bare skin. I’m counting the days until this is all over. Just thinking that hurts my heart, my hand moving to it and tears pricking my eyes.

It hurts to think Joseph maybe isn’t the man I thought he was. I knew he was hiding dark secrets, but this is just too dark for me. He won’t let me leave. But as soon as he deals with this mess, as he says, then I’m gone. Money or no money, contract or not. I don’t care.

It’ll all be over. I roll over, onto my side, clinging to the small, blue pillow and ignoring the pain in my chest.

At the same time, I don’t want it to end. It’s crazy. I both hate it and love it. Hate him and love him.

I blow out a frustrated breath as I think about my predicament, think about the position I am in.

It makes me want to fight him. Knowing he’s keeping me here. And I’m getting addicted to it.

But even with the urge to be belligerent, I still obey him. Only to a degree. Pushing my limits, testing him. He knows it too and that only makes me push harder. Because I want him to push me harder. The knowledge makes me lower my eyes to the beautiful white comforter.

And I still have feelings for him, even with my doubts. I can’t deny how strong they are. How could I not?

A part of me hates myself for feeling that way. But I can’t help it. I can’t snap my fingers and erase what I feel just because Joseph may have done some horrible things. We have a connection, something that I’ve never had with anyone, though it feels very strained right now. Because of me. Because his past won’t leave him alone.

I stretch out my leg, and lay it over the outfit he has laid out for me. My eyes are drawn to the beautiful short dress. Don’t know why he laid it out. It’s not like I’ll be wearing it.

He wants to tempt me to wear it, that voice at the back of my head says. So he can have a reason to punish me when I don’t.

As if he needs a reason. He can do whatever he wants to me.

He owns me.

I can’t even lock my bedroom door.

I never have a moment a privacy.

That’s the part that my romance novels left out. The cold, harsh reality of never having a moment to yourself, never being able to do anything without approval. It was fun and games before, when I wasn’t angry at him. When I wanted it as much as he did. But it changed.

I hate that I even have to ask to work on my novel. But it’s not like he denies me that privilege. He always gives in when I ask. Somehow, that makes it more infuriating.

I wish I could be more pleased with him. Instead, I feel like I’m a spoiled pet throwing a tantrum.

I’m so confused.

My thoughts are swept away as I hear the soft creak of the bedroom door.

I hear him walk into the room but I only move my head just enough to peek at him. My breath catches at the sight. He looks handsome as usual, dressed in black dress pants and a white dress shirt opened at the chest. I don’t get off the bed to kneel or greet him. That’s why I know I won’t be wearing those clothes. I’m done playing. He can just throw me in the damn cage until he lets me go.

His eyes find my naked body and I blush fiercely, though I don’t know why. It’s nothing he hasn’t seen before. Looking at him, I’m feeling so many emotions, that I have to turn away, my chest heaving.

Anger. Hurt. Betrayal. Lust.

They’re all there.

I startle slightly as I feel his arms encircle my waist. His hot lips find my neck and I find myself leaning back into him, my lips parting in a soft sigh, my nipples pebbling. I’ve missed his touch. My eyes close; he feels so good. My arm wraps around his, betraying me, but I don’t care. I just want to feel him for a moment. Just a moment.

“I know you’re still angry with me, Lilly,” he says softly in my hair, his breath hot on my neck. I can feel his big, hard cock pressing against my ass, and I desperately want him inside of me. Make love to me. Make