Page 103 of Beautifully Ruined

Sure, she has faults, we all do. But I like the ones I’ve seen. And while I don’t count speaking her mind as one, her thing of not shutting up and letting the words purge from her fucking soul and imagination when she’s caught tight, embarrassed, is something to watch for.

It could be damning and dangerous if she isn’t taught to channel it.

She didn’t do it at Ivan’s, as far as I know.

Just last night with the delivery guy and Thomas.

Delivery guy shit was both funny and hot. And her vomitous words with Thomas could have got her killed.

That’s what I’m scared of.

I’d fucking love for her not to go tonight, but she’s so damned stubborn that I don’t think she’s going to listen to me.

She wants to be submissive in any and all scenarios I come up with that we can use the word cement on.

The rest of the time?

It doesn’t matter she’s ten years younger than me. The woman sees herself as an equal. And I consider her as such. I admire that. Except when her life’s on the line.

But I can’t see a way out of it.

Thomas expects her, and excuses to men like him are nothing more than weaknesses exposed.

I sit back at my desk, Enzo, my small angel-devil all rolled into one, on the big computer screen right up in the corner.

We came back here in the early hours of the morning, and since Vi isn’t working today, I fucked her, mainly because I could, and I can’t seem to get enough of her, and then ordered her to sleep.

Not in our room—my room—but in the guest one, because I like her naked, and she’d be a distraction, more than she is already simply by being here, and I need to work.

Work means talking with Enzo. And he’s not getting a free viewing.

It might happen, like in his kitchen, but it’s not something I ever plan.

And right now, we’re not playing. She’s sleeping and then her day is going to be spent shopping with her friend, Lia.

Before I started work with Enzo, just work, not on the Thomas Allistair lead and not on the Dungeon, I woke her and warned her I’d be face timing with Enzo.

What she does with that…I can’t stop it.

The weird thing is, I’m not a jealous guy. Not unless there’s reason to be. But I don’t want other men touching her. Looking is one thing, touching is another.

And at the club…

I blow out a breath.

I really don’t want her at this one.

Even though I know it’s going to be up her alley.

There are plenty more in this city I’d be more than happy to take her to. Clean and legit ones.

“What’s that look for?” Enzo asks.

I glance at the door, knowing she might listen. I think about flicking on the cameras, but I stop myself. I don’t need the added distractions. But what I’ve got to say to Enzo right now she can overhear. It’s nothing I wouldn’t say to her face.

“Vi’s got this real cute habit I didn’t know about.”

He leans in closer to the camera on his end, and I’m glad the picture is small on my screen. I don’t need that kind of close up larger than life. “Do tell.”