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I’m so wet, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a puddle underneath me. My scalp stings from how tightly Rhys has my bun in his fist.

My pussy is sore from how many times we’ve had sex, but I can’t get enough of this man. The need he invokes is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. His roughness is addictive. I need this man to make me submissive. I need him to take what he wants from me. To use me for his pleasure.

I don’t understand it. I’ve never been this way with anyone else but there is just something powerful and freeing with Rhys. Something that makes me want to be whatever he tells me to be.

I lock my arms behind my back and wait for further instruction from the beast of a man towering over me.

Satisfaction flares in his eyes.

“Good fucking girl. See? Isn’t it nice to be obedient?” he praises and a shiver travels down my spine.

“Yes.” My voice is a breathy, needy moan.

He cups my chin and caresses my cheek. The gentleness is a contrast to the fire that burns in his green eyes.

“Open that beautiful mouth, Sarah.”

My jaw relaxes and I sit with my mouth wide, tongue out, waiting for him to fuck my face. Gripping the base of his cock, he rubs my upper lip with the velvety head. Precum leaks from its slit.

I can’t control my tongue as it slowly laps the slight saltiness.

My eyes lift to Rhys’. His mouth is lax, eyes hooded.

“Fuck, baby. You’re so fucking exquisite on your knees for me.” His voice is raspy with lust. He slaps the tip of his cock against my tongue once… twice…then thrusts inside my mouth. I gag when he hits the back of my throat.

I struggle to take him fully; tears pool in my eyes before sliding down my cheeks. Drool drips from my mouth, landing on my thighs.

The room fills with the wet gurgles of me taking his cock and the deep groans and curses that fall from his lips.

Everything about this is erotic and dirty. I fucking love it.

Rhys’ hand releases my hair, and he cups the back of my head with both hands, holding me in place. He shoves his length deep into my throat and my nose hits his pubic bone. Then with an animalistic growl, he explodes.

His cum shoots down my throat and I have no choice but to swallow every last drop.

I’m so aroused that my heartbeat pulses in my core. Pressing my heel against my clit, I grind until I’m at the crest before the blissful fall into my orgasm.

A string of spit follows when he pulls out of me.

“Holy fuck.” He breathes then hoists me up. I wrap my arms and legs around him.

He gently presses his lips against mine then his eyes roam over my face. My stomach flips when I see – feel – the affection that reflects in his irises.

“You’re amazing,” he whispers.

My face softens but my heart tightens.

I can’t get close to him. I can’t allow myself to fall for this man. The pain of losing my brothers nearly killed me and Rhys could easily become my entire world.

Losing him would destroy me.

* * *

The following morning, Paige and I lay face down on massage tables. I keep the conversation light and entertaining. But my insides are confused. My mind races with thoughts of how good it felt to drift off to sleep in Rhys’ arms.

It felt too good.

Normally, I’d just cut off on contact with him. But I can’t. Paige is involved with Declan now and that means Rhys is going to be around all the time.

I can’t avoid him and it’s petrifying.

It’s up to me to draw a clear line in the sand. To lay it out for him that we cannot – will not – be anything more.

The sex is phenomenal. But it’s also all I can give him. Aside from Paige, I can’t let anyone get close to me. Paige was a risk I took, and I’ll never regret it. But letting Rhys in? No. It can’t happen.

The less people I allow into my heart, the less chance I have of losing them.

The masseuse works my tense muscles until they finally relax. After, we are led to a room where we’re given facials, manicures, and pedicures.

“If you don’t marry Declan, maybe I will,” I joke, all but melting into the cushioned massage chair.

“Sarah,” Paige sighs. “I don’t know how I feel about whatever this thing is that’s happening with Declan.”

I lift my head, and glance over at her with a lifted brow.

Since meeting Paige, she’s had two relationships. They didn’t last long, and she took quite a bit of time to give herself to them.

“He’s different than anyone else you’ve been with. Maybe seeing where it goes would be a good thing?” I know I’m a hypocrite, but I don’t care. We’re not talking about me.

“He is different. I don’t know what it is, but he makes me feel…” She slumps into the seat, looking up at the ceiling. “He makes me feel safe,” she whispers, confusion laced in her voice.

“Isn’t that good?” I push gently. She shrugs in response but remains silent.

You wouldn’t know it looking at her, but Paige has lived a life of horrors. The one person who was meant to protect her, not only allowed, but encouraged her to be raped, drugged, and forcibly impregnated. The unfathomable pain she was subjected to by her mom and Mark – her mom’s drug dealer slash boyfriend – would drive even the strongest man to complete madness.

Not my Paige, though. Her strength is unyielding.

Reaching over, I clasp her hand in mine and give it a reassuring squeeze. She tightens her grip then releases my hand.

The rest of our time at the spa is spent avoiding conversations about the two men that makes us feel things we haven’t felt before.

It’s only been forty-eight hours and yet it feels as though they’ve always been around.

Fuck.

* * *

Declan had a driver pick us up from the spa and drive us to a restaurant named Duke’s for lunch. I was drawn to Rhys the moment I stepped out of the car.

I internally swooned when he strode right over and swept me into his arms, kissing my temple as though he missed me after just a few hours.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Now seated, Paige and Declan are instantly enveloped in their own personal bubble.

The air between me and Rhys is electric. I’m hyperaware of his presence. The scent of his cologne fills my nose. Each breath he takes is in sync with mine. Every so often, his pinky will lightly caress mine and I feel the sensation all the way to my toes.

This is so bad. So so bad. But I don’t know how to tell him I don’t want anything more, when in reality, I do. On top of that, there is no hiding the way my body reacts to his.

I’m totally fucked.

“You look breathtaking,” he compliments, and I blush.

“Thank you.”

The waitress steps up to our table and we place our orders. I order myself a red wine. Needing some liquid courage before I can even think of bringing up a conversation with Rhys about whatever this is between us.

“I’ll have the same,” Rhys says with a friendly smile.

A dark feeling runs through my veins at the blush and flirty grin the waitress gives him. I clench my teeth to rein in the snarl threatening to escape.

I close my eyes and let out a deep breath.

You can’t be feeling these things, Sarah, I tell myself.

A loud crash echoes in the room and glass shatters. The four of us swing our eyes to the man Declan and Rhys were speaking to in the club. His face is twisted in rage as he stalks toward our table with tightly clenched fists.

In a flash, Rhys and Declan are out of their seats, blocking us from view. I shoot a what the hell look at a tense Paige.

Rhys’ jacket shifts slightly, but he keeps his hand relaxed at his side.

He has a gun.

Adrenaline rises as my heart rate increases. Paige and I have been interacting with these men, slept with these men, and we know absolutely nothing about them.

We’ve been following our feelings instead of logic. It’s stupid. Reckless.

Exhilarating.

My brothers would murder me themselves if they knew who I brought into my life.

“You cock-sucking motherfucker!” the man shouts, raising a fist at Declan.

He doesn’t get the chance to land the punch before Rhys has his arms twisted behind his back and his face slammed against the table across from us.

The restaurant falls silent, everyone watching the entire encounter with wide eyes.

It isn’t until they move that I realize the man has two guards with him. Rhys levels them with a murderous glare when they attempt to help who I’m assuming is their boss.

“To what do I owe this unwanted visit, Antonio?” Declan drawls.

My brain works in hyperdrive as I assess the entire situation.

Mafia.

I freeze and sit up straight when the light bulb sparks to life.

These men have to be involved in the mafia somehow. It’s the only thing that makes sense. The expensive clothes. The money. The dangerous energy that surrounds them. The guns. Even Rhys’ comment about being the muscle begins to make sense.

God dammit, Sarah. Of all the men in the world, you had to find one that runs with the mafia.

Why does that make him even sexier?

As quickly as he arrived, the man storms out of the restaurant. Rhys and Declan turn to face me and Paige.

“That was badass!” I exclaim, bringing focus to how Rhys handled Antonio with such precision. Rhys chuckles when I reach out and pull him into his seat. “I need you to teach me that move.”

“I’ll teach you anything you want, mo réalta .”