Page 51

“Can I call you back? I have the worst headache.” My voice trembles.

“Of course. Tell Uri to give you a lot of water and rest as much as you need.” The doctor in Michael quickly comes out.

After a hurried thanks, I hang up. I push Albert E.’s room door open. He’s sleeping on a fluffy bed near the big wheel, lookingall cute and snuggly. Skinny pigs are usually not liked for their looks, but Albert E.’s smooth skin, the wrinkling around his legs and neck, and that fuzzy white hair on his little nose is what stole my heart the first time I saw him. He’s also very docile and social, and enjoys being with me; he even falls asleep on my lap when I work. I think of him more like a tiny dog than a guinea pig.

I check the water fountain and the level of food. Uri must have taken care of both before he left. Because he left, right? A sense of anxiousness overwhelms me. He could be in the pool or in the gun room. Can I face him after what I’ve done? I practically pounced on him. Begged to…pleasure him. But dear God that spanking felt so good.

It was the confirmation I needed. Feeling pain really turns me on. But I wonder how much further can I take it? A short laugh leaves my lips. It’s filled with relief and dread. I’ve tried so hard to push down this part of me, but I can’t simply flip a switch and be somebody else. I really am as fucked up as my brothers, maybe even more. Because, holy hell, I’ve never felt more alive than when Uri was choking me on his big dick. Those few spanks, though, weren’t remotely enough. I need more.

There’s still the possibility that the extreme ecstasy I sensed might have been caused by the cocaine. It increased the dopamine in my body, enhancing my sexual arousal and gratification. But it was Uri. Uri! Even without drugs, I’m sure the pleasure would’ve been out of this world. My body feels all tingly and ready for another round.

I bite my lower lip; the movement makes my mouth ache. My head feels slightly better as I make my way to the kitchen, but my whirling thoughts are not helping with the recovery.

No trace of Uri. In the fridge, there’s an aloe shake. A note on top reads:To help with the sore throat. Wait for me…or else.

I let out a trembling breath. Desire explodes inside my belly as I read the promise of punishment in the note. Thator elseat the end sends a shiver down my spine. My legs turn to jelly for a moment, and I shoot my arm out to avoid hitting the fridge frame.

A moan resounds in the kitchen—it takes me a couple of seconds to realize it came from me. There’s an urge inside me to defy his order. To provoke him into doing his worst.

The question is: would he give it to me?

I suddenly frown as another memory hits me. Did I puke in Uri’s car?

An hour later, I’m at Bear-Stone Labs.

From the record player, I can hear Chris Stapleton singing about love and whiskey—country music usually helps me concentrate. Not today. I’ve been thinking about what happened yesterday on repeat. Not seeing Uri this morning has only made me hungrier for him. I sent him a text when I left the lake house in a hurry. I didn’t come alone, Phoenix is still out there and even though I didn’t hear from them since I moved, my stalker might be lurking, as well. That’s why I called the car company Gabe uses for Lori to stop him from driving.

Uri’s reply was promising. I’ve been vibrating with excitement since I saw his text.

Uri

I’m on my way. DON’T FUCKING MOVE!

When I arrived at work and met Raph in the lobby, he told me Uri was at the car wash. So emptying my entire stomach on his dash and car door followed by my loss of consciousness wasn’t a drug-induced nightmare.

I’ll never accidentally inhale any kind of drug ever again in my life.

I hear the sliding door opening and then Sandy’s voice. “I’ve gathered all the mail on your table and scheduled your appointments for next week. There were some journalists camped outside, but I dispersed them. Anything else you need? Your usual tea?” he asks.

“Yes, please.” I raise my head to look at him. His hair is green now, and he’s wearing a pink suit with a cute bow around his neck. “You’re so good to me. I know I need a new assistant, but I barely have time these days.” Sandy is technically Raph’s PA, not mine. But after Clark left, he’s temporarily taken the position.

“Don’t worry. I contacted the HR department; they already gave me a list of promising candidates. The interviews will start in an hour. Do you want me to take care of it?”

“I trust your judgment. I’ll tell Raph to raise your salary.”

“He already pays me generously, but I can’t say no to that.”

“I’ll miss you, you know?” I tell him before he leaves the room.

“No, you won’t because I’ll find you a mind-fucking-blowing new PA!”

A few minutes later somebody else comes in. One of the interns judging by her blue coat.

“That’s a nice, boot-licking secretary,” she unprofessionally utters.

The way she’s looking at me is filled with interest. All the interns here seem to want to chat about my research. I push my glasses up my nose and focus on the study again. She works on another research floor, and although I let interns come into my lab from time to time, she shouldn’t be here right now.

“The test results are in,” she says, dropping a file on my desk.