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He laughs.“God, it’s good to see you.I’ve been worried about you.”
“No need.I’m fine.”I take one look at his dubious expression and put my hand on his arm.“I promise.”
“I hate that I let you down at the auction.”His beautiful familiar face is twisted with guilt.
“You didn’t let me down!”I protest.“I didn’t want you to bid on me.”
“Well, the only reason you’re here is because I talked you into doing this with me.I feel responsible for you.You didn’t bargain for this.And then you ended up with Roman.”He rakes a hand over his face.“Christ!He’s a hardcore Dom, Ava.The real deal.And he was the only one who could have outbid me.He won every competition except the viewer’s choice, so he had more points than anyone else.”
Of course he did.“He could have bought any of the subs and he bought me?”For some reason, the thought gives me a strange thrill.But it doesn’t make sense.“Why me?”
“Because you’re beautiful and smart and amazing,” he says sincerely.
“Thank you, but you know what I mean.I’m not submissive.I don’t even know how to be a sub.”
“How’s that going?He hasn’t hurt you, has he?”His eyes harden.
Oh, Roman had hurt me all right, but just like he’d promised at dinner, I’d wanted him to, even if I didn’t beg for it.But I’m not about to try and explain that to Emmett when I don’t understand it myself.
“No.He’s intense, but I can handle it.He thinks we can win, and I almost believe him.He’s very convincing,” I add.I glance up at Emmett.“I really don’t want to win first place—that’s for you— but the longer I stay on the show, the longer I make Anthony squirm, and the more likely I am to cost him the presidency.And I wouldn’t mind walking away with half a million dollars.”
“Be careful, Ava,” Emmett warns, his brows furrowed.“I don’t trust Roman.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him.
He glances at the clock on the wall.“I’d better go.Rebecca’s photo shoot is in thirty minutes.I’m in room five forty-three if you need anything.I mean it, Ava.I’m here if you need anything.”
My conversation with Emmett leaves me confused.I should be upset that Emmett wasn’t able to buy me at the auction, but instead I’m curious about the pain and pleasure Roman seems to be able to coax from me, and I find myself looking forward to seeing him this afternoon.After Emmett leaves, I run on the treadmill, pushing myself to go further and faster than I’ve ever run before.By the time Tessa shows up, I’ve logged in five miles and my head feels a little clearer.
She’s barely through the door before the torrent of words starts flowing."I can't believe the scary Dom from the pool bought you.I think I would die.Is he as intimidating as he seems?”
I think back to last night and the look in his eyes when he ordered me over the desk."Um, yeah," I say honestly.I don’t add that the pure masculine arrogance that makes him so intimidating is also a complete turn-on.
“And what about your gorgeous Dom, Emmett?How could they split you guys up?”Her voice is filled with righteous indignation.
I shrug."They thought it would be better for the show for all of the couples to be on even footing."She looks so heartbroken for me that I add, “It’s okay.We're actually not, you know, together like that.”
He eyes widen with shock.For a brief moment, I almost blurt out everything—that Emmett’s not my Dom, that I’m not really submissive at all and that I’m only here because Emmett talked me into it and I saw the perfect chance to ruin my stepfather—but if feels nice to have a friend, and I don’t want to take the chance on losing her friendship.I want to pretend, just for a little while, that I’m just like everyone else here.Normal.Kinky perhaps, but not damaged.
"We just have a friendly arrangement,” I say instead.
"If you say so," she says dubiously.
“So what about you and Luke?”I ask, eager to change the subject.
She smiles with satisfaction.“Being a submissive, his submissive, is everything I’ve ever dreamed of.Let’s just say I feel well used, and in the best possible way.”
Is everyone in the hotel going at it like bunnies except for me and Roman?The thought sends a stab of unease through me.He’s a gorgeous god of a man who could have any woman he wants.God knows why he chose me, but I doubt he’s going to be willing to continue to be my Dom in the games for long once he realizes sex is a hard limit of mine.I push the thought aside.I just have to stay in the moment and do the best I can.I hate Anthony with every ounce of my being, and I’d do just about anything to get even with him, but I’ve already lost my soul.He doesn’t get my virginity.
“When’s your photo shoot?”I ask Tessa as we move to the weight machines.
“Two.What about you?”
“Four.”
She grimaces as she does a shoulder press, and then stops.“Does it bother you that naked photos of you might be everywhere?I mean, the show is one thing.It’s pay-per-view, and while there may be a lot of people who see you, it’s not like it’s the whole world.I mean, my grandma’s not likely to subscribe to the show.The photos are different.I mean, if they use them to promote the hotel, everyone will see them.”
I think of Anthony trying to explain his stepdaughter’s nude photos on the campaign trail.“Exactly!”I say with a grin.“I think it’s great.”
“I knew it,” she crows.“You’re a model!”
I just smile.I’ll be whatever I have to be to take down Anthony Sanderson.
