Page 28 of Hate Me Like You Mean It

My whole body tensed.

I risked a smooth glance toward Dominic, and, sure enough, his expression vowed nothing short of imminent death. Directed at me. The others were all but forgotten.

I relaxed, batting my lashes at him. “Come on, baby. At least let them audition. What could it hurt?”

Both of his eyes twitched. One after another.

I offered the group an apologetic pout. “Sorry, guys. He’s a bit shy about some of his preferences, and we weren’t expecting to hold open auditions today. He just needs a minute or two to settle down.”

Dom’s fingers tightened, pressing into the sensitive pulse point on my wrist. A threat.

The tatted-up guy gestured between us. “Are you…”

“Oh, I’m sorry, how rude of me. I’m Grandmommy. Baby’s owner.”

Thunder clapped above me, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise toward the cloudless sky. Turning back to Dominic, I went in for the kill. “Look, Baby. They brought you new toiwet bwushies. What does Baby say when people buy him toys to play whOASHIT—DOMINIC!”

The earth toppled on its axis as Dominic used his grip on my wrist to pull me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. Without another word, he marched us back inside, slammed the front door, locked it, and stormed toward the stairs.

I wondered how he’d do it. Drown me in the bathtub. Throw me off the roof. Suffocate me with a pillow.

Regardless, I’d say it was worth it.

“Can I just say how much I commend the bravery of those men putting themselves out there like that?” I mused lightly. “I mean, sure, the trespassing thing wasn’t great, but I warned youabout not locking that gate, so whose fault is it—oof.” He wasn’t all that gentle about chucking me on the couch. I might as well have been a sack of potatoes.

I sat up right away, dusting myself off. “Anyways, as I was saying, I thinnphmnm.”

His palm pressed to my mouth, effectively shutting me the hell up as he took a seat beside me.

Using his other hand to whip out his phone, he thumbed the screen a few times before holding it up to his ear. “Hey. Remember how I told you to hold off on hiring security last week? Change of plans. The timeline is now end of day. I want staff at the gate and eyes on the outdoor cameras twenty-four seven. And tell Fiona and Walt I’m officially taking the full month off—got something I need to deal with.”

Oh, that was cute. He’d finally realized I wasn’t going anywhere, but still believed he’d last the whole month.

I smiled against his palm. It made his biceps bulge angrily.

“While you’re at it, let Velour know that assembly isn’t required for the delivery anymore. I’ll get my housekeeper to do it. Turns out she’s got way too much fucking time on her hands, and it’s making her creative.” I returned his glare with a wink. It backfired. “And get me a leash. Make sure it’s geared toward human adults and has terrible comfort ratings. The more it chafes, the better.”

He hung up.

“This is the version of the game you want to play, Lice? You fucking got it.”

“Mpno ewawnm m menm.”

“You don’t have a choice. The leash is officially part of your uniform.”

“Mnmn mn penmnm.”

“I’ma pervert?” He shoved closer, bumping knees with mine. “Tell me, wherever did those men get the idea that I had a British grandmother fetish?”

“Mnm munmiem,” I corrected.

His canines flashed. “Of course. My mistake. Why wouldn’t I have immediately understoodMrs. Doubtfirewas what they were going for?”

“Nmnmum lonmnunan mphnm phnrmu.”

“And you’re a fucking menace. Anything else?”

I thought about it, then shook my head. That was it for now. Just until I figured out what else I could do to push him over the edge.