Page 29

Gwen

T he beginning of this party has turned my mood to shit. First, my mother is completely pissed that I brought Levi here, telling me he needs to go home right away. Then I look up and see the wicked witch sitting on Dominic’s lap, like he’s flaunting her or she’s flaunting him. I don’t know which pisses me off more. I’m not good enough, but she is?

To make it worse, I let my emotions slip, and the tears fall in front of Tyler, the one who sold me my car. Now we’re both in the bathroom as he tries to soothe me. “Hey, it’s okay. Don’t worry, whatever it is, we can fix it,” he tells me. If he only knew how far he was from the truth. He can’t help me.

I nod, letting him believe I believe his words. Time is ticking, and I’m praying I’m right about what’s coming next. I wipe my tears and grab his face, pulling him into a kiss. My tongue tangles with his, my arm wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer. It’s strange to have someone else’s lips on mine.

I feel bad for using Tyler. He doesn’t know what’s coming, but I do. His hands slide to my ass, pushing me against the sink. He trails kisses down my neck, and I let him. Am I purposely playing the sad damsel in distress? Sure, as fuck am.

A knock comes on the door. “Occupied!” I yell, keeping my eyes on the knob as Tyler brings his mouth back to mine. The bathroom door busts open. Dominic shoves his way inside, wasting no time. His hand grips Tyler’s collar, yanking him back and turning him around before landing punch after punch into his face. He lets go just to drive a fist into Tyler’s stomach, making him double over. I wasn’t sure if Dominic would actually come. Either way, I would have won. After the parking lot frat-boy incident, I was almost certain Dominic would react.

Blood coats his knuckles as Tyler slumps unconscious to the floor. I cross my arms and stare at Dominic. My high heel is smeared with blood, Tyler’s face lying inches away from it. “Seriously?” I say, feigning anger, though deep down, I wanted this. I wanted to play his emotions, to make him come for me. And it worked. “Seriously,” he echoes, stepping into me. “I’m sure your little trophy out there is wondering where you went. Better get back to your bitch,” I snap, pushing him further, goading him.

His nose brushes against mine, his jaw twitching. “Fuck you, Gwen,” he growls. “Fuck you, Dom,” I spit back. Within seconds, our mouths crash together. There is no stopping what’s about to happen. I may be no good for him, but I know I’m better than the bitch out there waiting for him.

His lips press hard against mine, his tongue invading my mouth, claiming me. His rough, blood-covered hands roam my body like he’s never touched anyone before. He’s unrelenting, desperate. He lifts me onto the sink, pushing my silk dress up above my hips, exposing my black silk thong that matches it. His fingers hook into the fabric and rip it in half.

“This pussy is mine. You are mine,” he rasps into my ear as he undoes his suit pants, freeing himself. His cock is rock hard, veins bulging with need. I’m soaked, my arousal thick in the cold air as he spreads my legs wider. He lines himself up and thrusts in, making me cry out in ecstasy. My fingers tangle in his slicked-back hair, holding on as he pounds into me harder than ever before.

“I will kill any man who dares to touch you, princess. And if you ever let another man, put his hands on you, I will kill you too,” he warns, his hand wrapping around my throat. He pushes my head back against the mirror, his grip tight, possessive. “You are fucking mine,” he growls, loosening his grip just enough to look into my eyes, like he’s losing his mind. “Say it, Gwen. Who do you belong to?” His hips slam into me, each thrust sending me higher. My body clenches around him, my senses overwhelmed, the tingling pleasure coiling tight.

“Fucking say it,” he demands, his golden-brown eyes burning into mine. My vision blurs as the pleasure crashes over me. “Yours,” I whisper breathlessly into his ear, surrendering completely. “I’m yours.” With a final thrust, he groans, spilling into me, sealing his claim. The both of us were breathing heavily, his forehead pressed to mine. Tyler groaned, curling into the fetal position. Dominic looked down at him, then back at me. “You were going to let someone like him touch you?” he questioned.

I laughed, resting my head on his shoulder. “I only let him walk me back here and kiss me to get your attention. I hoped you would come fight with me.” He smirked. “It was all an act?” His gaze locked onto mine. “It was all an act,” I confirmed with a nod. “So, you don’t have to kill him. He had no idea.” Dominic didn’t respond. Instead, he zipped up his suit pants and kicked Tyler aside. Lifting me off the marble floor, my dress fell to my ankles. He tapped his earpiece twice.

“Gwen, I need you to listen to me. You have to leave. Something is about to happen, and I need you as far away from this place as possible.” Confused, I shook my head. “What do you mean? I can’t just leave. Maddie and Levi are here... and my mother. What about the party?”

“Baby, some bad things are going to happen here tonight.” His eyes darkened as he tapped his earpiece again. “I’m on my way,” he said to someone. Then, gripping my arms, he kissed me gently. “Gwen, go out of this bathroom and head to the front door. Go home and lock it. You, Maddie, and Levi do not open it until I get there. Okay? Gwen, I need you to say it.”

“I love you, princess,” he whispered before slipping out the bathroom door. What the hell is happening? I stepped over Tyler’s body and hurried into the hallway. The sound of the party drew me back. That’s when I saw her the badass girl from dinner. She stood at the front of the room, commanding the attention of every man present. “Gentlemen, the time has come. Follow me to the back rooms, where you can try our products as a gift from us—a fifteen-minute journey. Single file,” she purred, walking past me. As she passed, she winked. A line of men trailed behind her, disappearing down the hallway.

Then, I spotted Dominic standing beside my mother and Lily. If he can act out of jealousy, so can I. I strode up to them. He ignored me, but my mother’s gaze snapped to mine. “Where have you been, Gwen? Did you get your brother home?” she asked. I smiled at her before turning to Lily. “Don’t worry, Mother. I was just leaving. I need to go home and get a new pair of panties since Dominic here ripped these ones.” I stuffed my torn panties into the pocket of his jacket. Lily shot to her feet.

“Don’t bother coming back. I don’t want your kind of trash here anyway. Dominic just used you because you were easy. You could never amount to the woman he needs. I am what he needs, not some trash he’d be embarrassed to be seen with.” My blood boiled. Lifting my dress so I could move freely, I marched up to her and swung. My fist connected with her fake, pointy nose. A sickening crunch filled the air. She shrieked, clutching her face as blood poured onto her ridiculous purple dress.

“Oh, shit!” Maddie’s voice rang out as she appeared beside me. “Gwen, we gotta go!” She grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward the front door. “Where’s Levi?” I panted as we ran. “Bash took him home. He tried to make me leave too, but I wasn’t going anywhere without you. Dude, you fucked her up!” She laughed as we burst into the cool night air, stopping on the sidewalk. Both of us doubled over, gasping for breath between fits of laughter. “She deserved it,” I muttered.