Sasha
I’d followed him, the man I couldn’t figure out in the least, and I certainly didn’t care about whatever consequences there might be. August had proven to be a jealous, nasty, vicious beast, and every time I’d caught a glimpse of his other side, he flipped the switch. I hovered in the hallway, realizing that the necklace had fallen off. I took several deep breaths, merely trying to calm my breathing. I’d heard nothing from behind the thick wooden door, but I gathered from what little Lorenzo had said and August’s reaction to them that they weren’t friends.
There was an urgency about August’s behavior, a need to parade me in front of the various celebrities in the room. They’d certainly been more than just curious, faking their approval, but I knew better, making my own assumptions. My relationship with August would cause a roar throughout New York and beyond.
Hearing August’s gruff voice, I peered over the railing, horrified that he’d struck Bruno. A moment of guilt slithered into my system, but only one. The bodyguard certainly enjoyed the world he lived in, no matter the constant threat of danger. I watched them, studying August, struck by the change in his demeanor. Yes, he was still cocky as fuck, arrogant and nasty, but he’d lost control.
Of me.
His prize.
He wasn’t simply upset, he was petrified that something had happened to me. Did the man actually care about me on some unforeseen level? No, I couldn’t buy it. This was just a part of his elaborate game. He couldn’t lose. Ever.
I remained quiet, but within seconds, he seemed to sense my presence, tilting his head. Everything about his personality overshadowed his actions, authoritative in a way I’d never endured. Even my father had an off switch. Not this man. I could see his chest rising and falling, the hard thumping of the veins in his neck.
And his eyes.
They were rings of fire yet icy cold, obliterating everything else around him. There was no need to beckon me, he did so with his ravaging stare. I darted a look at Bruno, who stood stoically, only a slight shake of his head as admonishment. I’d broken what limited trust I’d developed with the man as well.
Oh, I should be so ashamed instead of giddy for finding ten minutes of peace without constant surveillance. I kept my grip firm as I walked down the stairs, pretending I didn’t have a care in the world. Was I frightened of August and what he’d do? Perhaps. There was also the most ridiculous level of excitement given the outward danger, a truly blasphemous emotion I couldn’t explain to anyone. Maybe I was as sick as the man himself, reveling in the attention and adoration, the concoction of danger mind fucking.
Before I’d reached the bottom, Bruno had whispered into August’s ear. I would assume the evening was over. August held out his arm, ceasing his action. He never looked away or allowed me to see an emotion of any kind. This was unlike him.
Which finally terrified the hell out of me.
August said nothing as he reached into his pocket, pulling out the lovely chain. I noticed a shimmer in his eyes registering my surprise and relief. He walked behind me, easing the chain around my neck, taking his time to clip the fastener.
My body betrayed me, quivering from the slight touch. The electricity was white hot as always, tingling every part of me, especially my aching pussy. I licked my lips as he slid his hands over my shoulders, his muscular and beautiful fingers clamping around my neck. There was no pressure, no need. I was well aware what he was capable of.
“You worried me, sweet Sasha. That can never happen again.” The huskiness of his tone, the way his hot breath trickled a long line down from the tip of my ear forced a strangled breath. He inhaled, allowing his fingers to slide just to the edge of the bodice of my dress. “I will do anything to keep you safe.”
He took my hand into his, clasping our fingers together tightly then motioned to Bruno. We headed for the entrance, Bruno securing my coat. I expected to walk out into the frigid air, giving me time and space to breath, but I was whisked through a locked door and down a long corridor and to what had to be a private elevator.
The door opened to a closed-in parking area, completely devoid of windows. Another perk for the various famous people, protecting their expensive toys. August took purposeful strides toward the SUV, the blipping sounds as the vehicle was unlocked creating a jolt in my system.
“Wait outside the SUV,” August instructed before guiding me inside then easing onto the soft leather, staring straight ahead while Bruno secured our privacy.
I crowded all the way against the other door, the anxiety suffocating. I heard nothing from him, no breathing sounds of admonishing and bitter words. I finally couldn’t stand the tension any longer and turned my head. “Say something.”
He exhaled after a few seconds. “What would you like me to say, Sasha?”
“Whatever you’re going to say. I know your mistreatment is coming.”
“Mistreatment?” The word incensed him. Finally, a hint of some emotion. “How have I mistreated you? I’ve given you a private room, your own studio, and complete freedom of the house. I wanted to enjoy a fabulous evening with you, devoid of any drama and made certain that you were treated like a queen. All I asked in return is that you followed the rules. You disrespected me in every manner you could.”
“You mean by dancing with your friend?”
Hissing, he fisted his temple, taking several deep breaths. “Lorenzo is the son of another kingpin and certainly not my friend, but I suspect he wouldn’t mind tasting you.”
The way he said the words left me with a hard knot in my stomach. “I’m not a whore, August. Not for anyone or any reason.”
“And he wouldn’t care.”