Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,85

crease in her forehead becomes deeper and the look of unhappiness is evident in her eyes.

“I don’t want to sign this,” she says finally. Her voice is full of apprehension and soft with doubt. But she looks back at me, setting the papers down with strength and finality. She shakes her head. “I don’t want to sign it.”

I didn’t expect that. My body chills at how resolute her decision is. “Do you want more money?” I ask her, not knowing what other problems she could have with it. I’ve put in her needs. I know I’ll meet them. These past few days have been nothing but perfection.

Dahlia pushes away from me and climbs off of my lap, her warmth leaving me wanting her. I grip her hips to keep her from leaving me but she slaps me away, catching me by surprise.

I quickly rise from my desk, the chair falling backward onto the floor. A touch of fear flashes in her eyes as she walks backward.

I raise my hands, although my voice is strong and my eyes are narrowed. “Dahlia,” I say and her eyes fly to mine. She looks angry, but more than that, upset.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her, although I’m not a fucking idiot. I shouldn’t have implied that it was about money. It’s a habit of mine. It’s hard breaking them, but I know my treasure better than that. It’s not about the money for her. I should have known that.

“I don’t want your money,” her voice cracks slightly as she crosses her arms and looks away. “I’m not-”

“I’m sorry.” I walk toward her, slowly moving my hands around her hips. I can tell she wants to push me away, she wants to leave, but she’s my Submissive.

She should have known better than to leave me like she did. She knows better than that. But then again, I knew better than to bring up money.

“Look at me,” I say and as the words leave my lips, she obeys. A small frown mars her beautiful face. “Whatever you want to change in the contract, just let me know.”

She shakes her head, and her face crumples. “I don’t want a contract.”

My grip on her tightens, and my heart races in my chest.

“I don’t know why you want this if we’re… if we’re more than this.” Her voice is shaky, and she’s obviously extremely upset. I don’t understand why though.

I hate that she’s questioning me. I need contracts. Whatever she wants to change, I can alter. I don’t mind that.

“I want this, treasure. I need this.” I understand it’s fucked up. But I do. I need to know that when I make her angry, or when I fail her, she can’t leave me. I need to know she’ll still be here and I’ll be able to make it right.

“This is what I want from you… equality,” she stresses the last word and I still don’t understand. I don’t get what this has to do with the contract or anything for that matter.

“You are my equal. How can you not see that?”

“I’m your Submissive. I can’t be both!”

“You are my Submissive, my other half and my equal. They’re all one and the same.” It pisses me off that she would think less of herself.

She looks lost again. I’ll show her what it means to be mine. My everything. She’s best when she submits. She’s more comfortable in that role. This questioning everything isn’t what she needs.

“I’ll change whatever you want, and you’ll sign the contract.” I’m forceful with her. It’s what she needs, I know it is.

“Now get on your knees.” She just needs a hard fuck. I’ve been too busy for her. I won’t make the same mistake I made with Tricia, not with her. I can’t let her get away from me. I won’t let my treasure slip through my fingers.

She looks back at me with uncertainty. “Did you kill him?” she asks me.

My heart stops in my chest, my blood running cold. She hasn’t asked. She hasn’t brought it up since she got the text messages from her mother. I could tell she knew. It has to be obvious.

“Where’s this coming from?” I ask her.

“That’s not an answer.” Her voice is low, and wavers.

“I’m your Dom, you’ll do well to remember that right now.”

“I thought you said I was your equal?” she asks as she cocks a brow at me, her voice broken and raw. My heart twists in my chest.

“Yes, you are, and yes, I had him