Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,56

me. Seemingly so slow. “She’s decided that she’s going to do a tell-all book now.”

I grit my teeth, hating that she just won’t let it go. What is it that she thinks is worth telling, exactly? A failed marriage because I worked too fucking much? I put a ring on the finger of a woman who was more interested in a paycheck than our relationship. I don’t know how I let her fool me.

And as far as my perversions that she’s willing to throw in my face, her tastes were far more extreme than my own. I take in a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

“What exactly is in this book?” I dare to ask.

“Mr. Stone,” she says, then hesitates on the line. “According to the publisher who we’ve been in contact with,” she hesitates again for a moment, “the book will have pictures of the aftermath of your sexual encounters.”

My heart stills as she continues. Pictures? “There’s no way for her to be able to verify that they were taken at the time of your marriage and I’m sure your lawyer will be able to prevent their use, but if this were to be leaked it would certainly be detrimental to your image.”

“Pictures?”

“They make it appear as though there were bruises and several abrasions.” Her voice remains strong as she says, “The way it’s written leaves a lot of implications. The editor and publisher have been in contact because of potential lawsuits.”

Anger slowly rises in me as I close my eyes.

Never. I never leave marks, never leave cuts. Even when I picked up my first whip, I learned then the importance of only bringing the blood to the surface. Just enough force to redden the skin and create a wave of endorphins. I’ve never bruised anyone. Never. It’s simply not my kink. She wants to paint herself as a victim. Probably even more so, she wants to paint me as a villain.

Andrea speaks before I’m able to respond.

“I’m certain these pictures are fabricated, Mr. Stone. Especially considering the toxicity of your divorce.”

“You are correct,” I answer her in a tight voice.

“They would have come up before, had there been any truth at all to what she’s implying. The problem is that there’s no way for us to prove this. The best possible line of defense would be for you to continue this relationship with your...“ The rustling of paper in the background fills the silence.

“Dahlia.” I say her name as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

“Yes, Miss Days.”

“Is she saying I beat her?” I have to ask. “She’s claiming abuse?” Even after everything we went through, I never thought she’d stoop so low. I loved her. I loved the woman I thought she was.

I’d never do anything to hurt her. Not like that. She loved the paddle, but it was only for play, only to intensify her pleasure. There was never a bruise on her body.

“She is.” The truth slams against my chest as I lean against the window, the cool glass on my palms. “The wording is ambiguous, so you’ll have to speak with Mr. Harris on that matter.” Her voice is soft and laced with sympathy.

I clear my throat and reply, “I understand. Thank you, Andrea.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Stone.” The words hang stale in the air as I tell her goodbye and listen to the soft click on the other end.

I hold the phone in my hand, long after the line has gone dead. I can’t believe I was ever fooled by that woman. I loved her. I know I did, and I was so fucking wrong about her and everything.

I push away from the window at the sound of a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I call out, setting the phone back down where it belongs.

“Mr. Stone,” Linda enters with a mug of coffee in one hand and a stack of papers in the other. She walks briskly to my desk, setting them each down before smoothing her skirt while looking up at me with a smile.

It instantly vanishes when she sees my expression. “Is everything alright?” she asks.

I give her a tight smile and ignore the concern in her voice.

“Fine.” I sift through the stack and recognize the contracts that are due today. “I’ll sign these after lunch.” It’s nothing that can’t wait.

Linda stands there for a moment and I can see she wants to pry, but she presses her lips into a thin line and nods her head. “You’ll let me know if