This new regime was terrifying.

Hunt had taken charge like he was born with this kind of power. He controlled me, forced me to do things I never considered before. I hadn’t slept beside a man in nearly ten years—and now I did.

I barely slept that night, unable to doze off. Fear, panic, and anxiety consumed me most of the night. Those feelings weren’t directed at Hunt, specifically. They were just emotions I couldn’t control. Being unconscious would force me to let down all of my walls, but allowing that to happen went against my core.

So I only slept a few hours, on and off.

Hunt’s alarm went off around six. He silenced his phone then stretched beside me, taking a few minutes to fully wake up. His large body shifted the bed underneath him, making the mattress dip slightly in the center.

I was the only person who slept in this bed, and now the mattress felt like a whole different place when there was a six-three man inside it. At two hundred pounds, he flooded the sheets with his innate warmth. He breathed quietly while he slept, the sound entering my silent bedroom. He shifted his position in his sleep. Sometimes, he grabbed me and pulled me closer, like I could slip away in his subconscious.

I lay still beside him, unsure what to do.

He turned over and pressed his body into mine. His hand moved up my shirt and cupped my bare tits, and he kissed my neck all the way to my ear. A quiet moan sounded in my ear as he felt me, his cock pressed against my back.

Despite my exhaustion, I felt the instant attraction.

He yanked my panties down and turned me until I was on my stomach. He crawled on top of me, his hips resting against my ass. Skipping the foreplay and getting right down to business, he shoved his enormous cock inside me with one single thrust.

Oh god.

He pressed his mouth against my ear and breathed as he fucked me, giving me a quickie that was solely about getting off. He didn’t say a single word or make a single command. He fucked me in silence, our bodies slapping at every impact. Sometimes, he moaned right into my ear canal, and my pussy grew wet in no time.

I gripped the sheets underneath me and felt the chill up my spine. His cock felt so good inside me, his breathing sexy as hell. The scruff along his jaw brushed against my sensitive skin with every little move he made. I felt the orgasm start in my core and expand to all my extremities. A wave of pleasure shocked me, and I was pushed into a climax that made me bite the pillow beneath me.

When Hunt heard me scream, he pounded me harder, his pelvic bone thrusting against my ass. He dug his enormous cock inside me, pushing through my tight and wet channel and burying himself inside my slickness. He gave a long groan before he shoved himself completely inside and came, filling my body with his warm and heavy desire. He rested his face against the back of my head and breathed through the pleasure, his respirations slow and deep.

Having an orgasm first thing in the morning wasn’t so bad.

He slowly pulled out of me, making sure his come stayed buried inside me. He got off the bed and walked into my bathroom. A second later, the shower came on, the water striking the tile on the floor.

I lay there for a full minute, recovering from the heat that was still burning between my legs. He hadn’t said a single word to me before he fucked me exactly how he liked. He pressed his body on top of mine and fucked me in the laziest way possible, just wanting to come before he went to work.

It was sexy.

I still didn’t like him sleeping here, but waking up to that was exhilarating.

When my body finally stopped pulsing, I joined him in the shower.

He obviously wasn’t a morning person because he didn’t say anything. He washed his hair and scrubbed his body with bar soap. He took turns standing under the warm water, allowing me to use it if I needed it.

I didn’t say anything either.

A conversation didn’t seem necessary. We were like any other couple in the world who had a morning routine with little talking. We were comfortable enough with one another that we didn’t need to fill the silence with mediocre topics.

Hunt stepped out first and dried off before he moved to the bathroom sink.

And brushed his teeth with my toothbrush.

My fucking toothbrush.

Hunt looked at the reflection in the mirror, seeing my pissed-off gaze. Then he winked.

Jackass.

I got out and dried off before I dried my hair. Unlike in the evening when it didn’t matter what I looked like, I had to take the time to style my hair perfectly, to curl the ends so they had a soft bounce. I did my makeup, smoky eyes with burgundy lipstick, and then pulled out one of the dresses Connor had given to me. It was a black with silver buttons along the top. It looked like a skirt and a blouse, but it was fitted into a dress instead. I slipped on the matching heels, added a necklace, and then I was ready to go.

I was Tatum Titan again.

I walked into the living room, unsure if Hunt would be gone by now. But he was in the kitchen, finished making a pot of coffee. He helped himself to the fridge and whipped up a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs and asparagus.

He made me a plate as well.

He sat down and enjoyed his breakfast while he went through the emails on his phone. His eyes narrowed every time he read something he didn’t like, and he typed a quick response with his thick fingers.

I ate and tried not to stare.

He sipped his coffee slowly, careful not to spill anything on his suit. He must have packed it in his bag, but it was a mystery to me how it wasn’t wrinkled. Maybe he ironed it while I was doing my makeup.

We still didn’t talk.

When Hunt finished his breakfast, he slid his phone into his pocket and set the plate in the sink. He came back to me, officially ready to go. He was clean and styled like he hadn’t just spent the night with some woman. The only indication that his normal day was off was his beard.

I was surprised he didn’t shave that with my razor.

“I’m making you dinner at my place. Be there at seven.”

The breath rushed between my teeth, and I could barely swallow the command. Now I was at the mercy of this man, and his orders were law. I subjected him to this routine for six weeks, so of course, I had to uphold my end of the bargain.

But it didn’t get any easier to swallow.

He stared at me, as if there was something I was forgetting.

I knew exactly what it was. “Yes, Boss Man.” I looked away and sipped my coffee, no longer enjoying it.

He grabbed the back of my hair and yanked my head back so he could press a kiss to my lips. He ruined my lipstick before I even got the day started, but that didn’t matter to either of us. He kissed me hard, giving me his tongue along with his aggression. It was like he hadn’t just screwed me forty-five minutes ago.

He pulled away and walked to the elevator doors. “Have a good day.”

“You too…” I was still blinded by that kiss, of being owned with just an embrace.

The doors opened, and he stepped inside. Before they shut, he said one more thing. “And pack a bag.”

---

How’s it going? Thorn’s message popped up on my phone.

I knew what he was specifically asking about. Not bad.

But not good?

He slept over last night…

And how was that?

I didn’t sleep, if that answers your question.

His playfulness seeped through the phone. So, it went really well.

I just couldn’t sleep.

It’ll get easier. You need to chill.

Thorn could never handle this situation, so it was bullshit for him to talk about it. Maybe you need to chill.

Nah. We both know you’re the tight-ass in this relationship—and I like it. How about I take you to lunch?

I’ve got too much to do. But thank you. I didn’t want to sit there for an hour and talk about being ordered to kneel. I didn’t want to talk about my submissive life when it went against every fiber of my being.

I stopped talking to Thorn and focused on the tasks I had to finish by the afternoon. I had a few meetings lined up, and now that I was working with Hunt, I’d have to deal with him at some point during the day as well.

Lucky me.

Jessica spoke to me over the intercom. “Mr. Suede is here to see you.”

He was? “Why?”

“He has a meeting with you this afternoon.”

He does? “Are you sure?” I quickly pulled up my calendar and found the answer before she said anything.

“Yes. We booked it three weeks ago.”

I juggled so many things that I couldn’t keep everything straight. But I refused to admit my error to my assistant. “Send him in.”

“Will do.”

Connor walked inside minutes later, dressed in all black. He wore black jeans and a long-sleeve black shirt that fit his muscular body in the most flattering ways. It highlighted his impressive chest, his broad shoulders, and the intricate muscles of his arms. His dirty-blond hair looked great in contrast to the darkness, his blue eyes icy. “Titan.” He walked up to my desk and extended his hand.

I walked around and took it. “Always nice to see you, Connor.”

He gently pulled me into his chest and placed a kiss on my cheek—a long kiss.

Connor was great in bed. He knew how to fuck a woman long and right. The few times we’d hooked up, it was hot and fiery. But I’d never asked him to be anything more because he didn’t fit the bill. And I didn’t know if I could trust him to keep my secret. He was well-connected to every other industry on the planet. It didn’t matter if they worked in tech or sports, everyone needed the right clothes to wear.

And Connor was a genius, frankly.

He looked down at my dress. “That’s lovely on you.”

“Everything you’ve made is lovely.” I pulled away before the intimacy lingered longer than it should. If I saw a woman kiss Hunt like that, I wouldn’t appreciate it. Even though my relationship with Hunt was temporary, I was committed to him. The kiss was harmless, but I knew Connor still wanted me. I could feel it in the way he grabbed me.

“What can I do for you?” I moved around the desk again, putting the enormous piece of furniture in between us. I didn’t blow off his advance, but I didn’t welcome it either. Men didn’t take rejection well, especially the successful ones.

He took a seat and rested his ankle on the opposite knee. This office was mine, but he invaded it with his presence. He was exceptionally confident, his presence projecting outward for a three-mile radius. Connor loved fashion, the statement fine clothes could make. It was considered a feminine art, but Connor was so masculine that it was abundantly clear he was straight as a board. He had relationships with his models, flings with his assistants, and one high-profile relationship that fizzled out after a year.

He was pretty and rugged at the same time.

The second he’d made a pass at me, I softened. I wanted those big hands all over my body, that hard mouth on mine. I took him back to my place, and he didn’t leave until the following morning.

And we didn’t sleep.

But now when I looked at Connor, I didn’t feel anything at all. He was obviously attractive, still as self-assured as ever. He had a pristine reputation, the kind where everyone labeled him as a genius. He had everything I found attractive in a man—looks, wealth, and respect.

But now he didn’t mean anything to me. He was just a face in the crowd, a few passionate nights that happened so long ago I could barely remember them. When I thought about sex, only one face sprung to mind.

Connor’s hands came together on his lap, his fingers intertwining. He stared me down with the confidence of a man who wasn’t scared of anything—not even me. “Are you seeing someone?”

The direct question caught me off guard. I thought Connor came here to talk about clothes, not who was between my legs. “Why do you ask?”

“I was disappointed when we didn’t meet up after the fashion show. Then I wondered if you were already seeing someone. I didn’t think to ask.”

“You know I’m seeing Thorn.”

His eyes narrowed. “I always got the impression that was a business relationship.”

And he was dead on about it.

“I won’t tell anyone my suspicions. That’s safe between the two of us.”

I didn’t trust anyone—and he wasn’t an exception. “I’m seeing Thorn. He and I agreed it was a smart business move for both of us. But over time…we’ve become very close.” I wouldn’t give Connor anything more than that. “I’m flatted by your interest.”

Connor dropped it. “Very well.”

I suspected that wasn’t the only reason why he was there. He could have just called instead of taking time out of his busy life to meet me face-to-face.

“I’m here to talk about a sponsorship opportunity.”

“Sponsorship?” Actresses and models were covered in a designer’s clothing, representing their brand. But I wasn’t an actress—and I certainly wasn’t a model.

“The world is moving in a new direction, and I want to get on the ground floor. The number one consumers of my products are women. They want to be sexy, elegant, and classy. But they also want to be strong. So I’m launching a marketing campaign where I’m sponsoring the most successful women on the planet. I’d like you to be one of them.”

“Again, I’m flattered.”

“I have three names in mind, and you’re at the top of my list. I’d like to shoot a few commercials and make a few ads. These images will represent power, female entrepreneurship. It’ll be sleek, sexy, and strong.” He held up his hands and started to frame the area around my cheeks. “The angles off your face and your eyes…will photograph so beautifully. I’m willing to make you a generous offer for your time. Since you’re the richest woman in the world, I doubt that means a whole lot to you. I know you care more about image. And I think this will be a great way to capture your sophisticated beauty, to reach an audience of young women who aspire to be just like you. What do you say?”

The offer was generous. It allowed me to be a model, to wear gorgeous clothes and make a statement with them. Just like I did with the car, I was doing something in a new outlet. I already had a famous face, but now I was sculpting the world’s perception of it. “Connor, I would love to.”

A soft smile moved onto his lips. “That’s wonderful.” He rose to his feet and came around the desk to hug me. “I think this is going to be amazing.” He pulled me into his chest, his strong arms tight against my lower back. “I can’t wait to see your face in my ads. You’ll take Suede to a new level.”

“I hope so,” I said. “But honestly, I’m just doing it for the clothes.”

He chuckled as he leaned back to look down into my face. “You and everyone else.”

---

Thorn called me when I got home from the office.

“Hey, I talked to my mom today.”

“Oh?”

“Want us to stay with them for a few days. I have to be in town for work anyway. You’re free next weekend?”

I didn’t have anything pressing on my schedule. “I think so.”

“Great. Mom will be excited.”

“Guess what happened to me today?” I walked into my penthouse and immediately slipped off my heels. They were beautiful, but they hurt like hell.

“You bought another business?”

“No. Connor Suede stopped by and asked me to be in a few ads for him. He’s going for a strong, feministic look. Wants me and a few other successful entrepreneurs to be part of it.”

“Wow, that’s really cool. First the Bullet and now this.”

“I think it could be good marketing, a way to get the world to see successful women in a way that isn’t sexist.”

“We’re already heading in that direction. This could help.”

“Plus, I get to keep the clothes.”

He chuckled. “Of course, that’s important to you.”

“If Connor asked you to model for him, you’d want to keep the goods too.”

“True. Hopefully, he asks us to do a husband and wife fashion line.”

“Maybe.” Hunt’s face suddenly appeared in my mind, but I had no idea why.

“You wanna do something tonight? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while.”

It was the second time he’d asked me to do something in a single day. Now I worried something was wrong. “I already have plans with Hunt. Everything alright?”

“Yeah, everything’s good,” he said quickly. He sounded truthful, his voice deep and playful like always. “Lunch tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’ll pencil you in.”

“See you then.” He hung up.

---

The doors opened, and I stepped inside Hunt’s penthouse. The colors of his living space were all brown and black, distinctly masculine and dark. His couches were made of leather, and he had two cigars sitting on his coffee table. I considered announcing my presence, but I suspected he already knew I was there.

He stepped out of the kitchen, the sleeves to his long-sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbows. He was in dark jeans, and his jaw was shaved. His brown eyes greeted me warmly. “Hey, baby.” His arms circled my waist, and his hands rested in the small of my back. He kissed me softly, greeting me like a man would greet his wife.

It was nice.

His gentle kiss turned sensual when his tongue moved into my mouth. He made an innocent kiss sexy without really trying, bringing it to a new level of hotness. His hands slid to my hips, and he squeezed them before he stepped back. “Hope you’re hungry.”

For sex, not food. “Yeah.”

He set the table, putting an Old Fashioned on the table.

I sat down, surprised he wanted to eat instead of skipping to the good stuff. I took a drink and enjoyed the taste, knowing he could make a good drink.

He sat across from me and ate his salmon. “How was your day?”

“Good. Yours?”

“Good.” He kept his eyes on me as he ate, watching me like I was a TV screen rather than a person.

“What?”

“What?” he repeated back to me.

“You’re staring.”

“I can stare all I like.” He took another bite of his food, his gaze unwavering. He’d made salmon with greens. “If you can’t handle this, wait until we’re finished with dinner.”

He was even more aggressive than he was when I first met him. I was talking to Hunt, one of the most powerful men in the city. When he had the upper hand, he wasn’t afraid to use his strength.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.

“Where’s your bag?” he asked.

“My what?”

“Your bag,” he repeated, his gaze ice-cold. He didn’t take another bite of his food, holding his fork tightly in his clenched fingers. “The one I told you to bring.”

I didn’t leave it behind to be disobedient. I genuinely forgot. “It slipped my mind…”

“Nothing slips your mind.” His eyes were as dark as coals.

“I don’t do sleepovers. So yes, I did forget.”

“All of that is about to change. You should get used to it.” He finished his food first then stared at me as I finished mine.

I refused to be intimidated by his fierce gaze, so I ate at a normal pace, taking my time and not rushing just because he was finished. “This is good.”

Silence.

“You made it?”

“Yes.”

“I thought you weren’t a good cook.”

“My skills are limited, but the things I do know how to make, I make well.” His gaze didn’t lighten in intensity. He looked at me like he could barely restrain himself from grabbing me.

“If all you want to do is screw, you didn’t have to bother with dinner.”

It was the first time his gaze broke, when he didn’t seem so aggressive. “I realize that. I wanted to cook for you.”

I faltered before I took another bite.

“Most of the time, all I want to do is fuck you. But I enjoy your company just as much.”

I felt the same way. Hunt had slowly become my friend. When he was possessive and aggressive, it was hard to remember that, but a kind soul still existed behind those cold eyes. I finished my final bites of food, wiping the plate clean.

Hunt stood up the second I was done, his chiseled forearms covered with veins that looked like rivers. He took my plate but left my drink behind, knowing I would want it. “Go into my bedroom and strip down to your panties. Now.”

He was issuing the orders like a commander in the armed forces. He took to the position well, immediately molding to it like our relationship had been this way the entire time. He was a good leader, pleasing me while he pleased himself. But I would always struggle to agree, always struggle to follow orders. “Yes, Boss Man.”

I downed the rest of my drink and walked into his bedroom. It was exactly the same as I remembered it, a gray duvet-covered bed with black dressers and end tables. He had a white rug on the floor and a painting of an indistinct image on the wall. Piece by piece, I stripped off my clothes until I was in just my panties.

I didn’t know where to wait, so I sat on the edge of the bed and crossed my legs. Minutes passed before he finally joined me. He walked inside in only his jeans, which hung low on his hips. He was barefoot and bare-chested. With short hair and aggressive eyes, he looked absolutely delectable.

For a second, I didn’t care that he was the one in charge.

He looked so perfect, his abdominals endless lines of hard muscles. He didn’t possess an inch of fat, his body a mass of bones and muscle. He was sinewy and strong, thick in the thighs and lean in the legs.

He leaned against the doorframe as he looked at me, examining my bare tits. I automatically sucked in my belly, not wanting him to see it hang out. When he stared at me like that, I couldn’t help but stare at him in the same desirable way.

He stepped into the room and approached the bed, his muscular arms looking cut as he came closer. His hands went underneath my ass, and he gripped my lacy panties. Slowly, he lowered them down my thighs.

I uncrossed my legs and lay back, lifting my hips so he could get them down my long legs. He pulled them to my ankles before he tossed them aside. He pressed my feet against his chest and ran his hands up my legs, feeling the smoothness of my soft skin. He turned one leg and kissed the inside of my knee. He did the same to the other.

My thighs tensed, as did the area between my legs. My breaths turned to pants, and I ached to pull his jeans off. I wanted that gorgeous body on top of mine, so I could kiss him as he kissed me.

He set my legs down then moved to his jeans. He took his time taking them off, the zipper sounding loud to my ears. He pushed them past his thin hips then dug his fingers into the waistband. Slowly, he tugged them down his body and past his knees. His fat cock popped out, already drooling at the tip.

Now I didn’t care about sleeping over.

He pulled me to the edge of the bed, my ass hanging over just a bit. Then he pointed his length across my sex, slowly grinding back and forth. Moisture pooled at my entrance, coating with him with the shiny residue. He tilted his hips slightly and slipped inside my soaked channel, sliding all the way to my back wall.

I closed my eyes and moaned, feeling more like a woman when I was full like this. He was the only man who made me feel this incredible, who made me feel this good. My hands went to his wrists, and his hands gripped my hips. I planted my feet against his chest, his pecs like two slabs of concrete.

He moved inside gently, thrusting until his body rubbed against my clit. Then he pulled out again, treating this like a marathon rather than a sprint. He brought his fingers to his lips and sucked them.

I stared at his actions, unsure what he intended to do with those fingers.

He removed them from his mouth then pressed them to my back entrance. He gently pulled at the back, pushing through my tight flesh.

I’d never done ass play before. I’d never been into it, and I’d never had a partner who told me they liked it. Since Hunt was the one calling the shots, there was nothing I could do about it anyway. I stayed relaxed, feeling his enormous cock push into me over and over. When his fingers were deep inside me and he stretched me, it felt good. My nerve endings fired off everywhere and heightened my overall experience.

I should have known Hunt was an ass man.

He wrapped his arm around my thighs and kept me positioned as he thrust and fingered me. He was in control like he’d done this hundreds of times. He’d probably had women beg him to fuck them in the ass—two at a time. He’d done everything in the book, explored every possibility. This was nothing to him.

That would explain why he was so good in bed.

His hips rocked over and over, pushing his cock deeper inside me.

I was about to come. My hands reached for him, needing to hold on to his powerful body. I wanted to grip his forearms, his biceps, anything.

“No.”

I growled in frustration, knowing exactly what that word was in answer to. “Hunt…”

“Don’t make me ask you again.”

“Boss Man,” I corrected.

“The wait won’t be much longer.” He pulled his fingers out of me just as he removed his cock. He was coated in my moisture, slathered in my arousal. He kept my feet glued to his chest as he leaned over farther and pushed his head into the back hole.

The one where his fingers had been.

I gripped his hips and steadied him, stopping him going in.

He looked down at me, aggression heavy in his gaze. “Ever been fucked in the ass, baby?”

It was a personal question, but since it was about to happen, I told the truth. “No…”

“I’ll go easy on you.” He slowly pushed inside me, his head having a difficult time getting through the entrance. If this were my pussy, he would push his way through with a violent thrust. But he slowly sank into me, going easy just like he promised.

I breathed through the strain, tensed as I felt my body stretch in ways it’d never been stretched before. His large size hurt. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t. He was already big for my pussy.

He was enormous for my ass.

He slid farther until most of his cock was buried inside me.

I breathed harder, taking in the pain without wincing.

Hunt pressed his hands on either side of me on the bed and looked down at me. “You okay, baby?” The man I knew had come back to me, not the controlling dictator I’d unleashed. He was thoughtful and compassionate, caring about making me feel good, not about hurting me.

It reminded me that I trusted him.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

He grabbed the backs of my thighs and pinned my knees against my torso, forcing my legs apart and away from my chest. He started to thrust, using slow and even strokes.

It hurt.

But it felt good at the same time.

I held on to his wrists and dug my nails into his skin, doing my best not to cut him. I breathed in with every thrust and released the air from my lungs when he pulled away. I had an enormous cock in my ass, so no matter how gentle he was, it was going to hurt.

Once I got used to it, he started to move harder. His eyes remained glued to my face, his jaw tightening in pleasure. His enjoyment was obvious, impossible to hide. He wanted to fuck me just like this for a long time.

I felt the tears prickle in my eyes, bubble at the corners, and slowly drip down my cheeks. I wasn’t crying, but my eyes smarted naturally. I felt so many things at once, so many full sensations.

“Want me to stop?”

When I gave him twenty lashes, he never asked me to stop. When I asked him to get on his knees, he didn’t walk away. He did everything that I asked, even when my requests were difficult to fulfill.

I couldn’t give up.

I couldn’t walk away.

“Fuck me harder.”

His eyes darkened with shadows, and he shoved himself completely inside, sheathing every inch of his huge cock.

My nails cut into his skin then, leaving dents where every single finger had been. I let out a gasp, but that was better than the scream I was holding back.

He thrust into me hard, rocking the bed and screwing me just as he would if his cock were in my pussy. He grunted and panted with the movements, on the verge of exploding deep inside me. He obviously couldn’t hold on any longer because he pressed his thumb against my clit and rubbed it aggressively. “Come, baby.”

The size of his length was painful. His thrusts made it even worse. But there was something so sexy about it, the release of powerful endorphins as my body was put through so much. There was so much pleasure with the pain, so much to be enjoyed despite the discomfort.

He rubbed me harder, his breathing deep and ragged as he restrained himself. His eyes roamed over my body, enjoying my curves as my tits shook with the thrusts. After a few more pumps, more touches, I was there.

I came.

And I came hard.

“God…” I squeezed his arms so tight I must have bruised him. My head rolled back, and I let out a scream that could shatter the windows. My body had been elevated to a place above the stars. The experience was surreal, taking me to the heavens and beyond. I felt a million things at once, saw more than I could absorb.

It was more powerful than any other orgasm I’d ever had. Hunt gave me something I didn’t even know I was missing.

Hunt grunted as he released, filling my ass with all of his come. He shoved himself completely inside me, pressing his forehead to mine. He pumped me with his desire, had done something no other man had done before. He took me in a new way, giving me an experience I’d never considered having.

He stayed inside me even when he was finished, his breaths in tune with mine. His cock slowly softened, and I felt the pressure decrease throughout my body. Every time he took a breath, his smooth cheek pressed against my tits. He had me pinned and folded underneath him, a man taking a woman so carnally it was animalistic.

He slowly pulled out of me, and my body winced as it readjusted to his absence. He pulled out then stood upright, a muscular man covered in sweat. He eyed his handiwork between my legs, seeing the come as it started to drip out. That usual look of arrogance came over his face, like he had just conquered a land and laid waste everyone who didn’t surrender.

All the power was taken from my hands, leaving my helpless and completely submissive. It went against my nature, the backbone of who I was. I didn’t put up with anyone’s shit, and like hell would I allow my man to order me around. But when Hunt was the one in charge, I enjoyed the game. I enjoyed fulfilling his fantasies just as he had fulfilled mine.

He turned his back on me and walked into the bathroom. A moment later, the shower came on.

Now that my body relaxed and I caught my breath, I was eager to wash off.

Although, I wasn’t eager to sleep.

---

I helped myself to one of his t-shirts I found in the drawer. He didn’t have a hair-dryer, so I had to do my best with the towel. The strands were damp, but after a few minutes of hitting the air, they would be back to dry.

Hunt sat up in bed, his tablet in front of him. He was shirtless, his powerful physique appearing chiseled by the light from his lamp. His fingers dragged across the screen as he read through something.

If I were home right now, I’d probably be working or drinking. That’s what I usually did in my spare time. I pulled back the sheets and got into bed beside him, still feeling strange sharing a bed with another person. I was exhausted because I hadn’t slept the night before. I’d try to sleep tonight, but I suspected it would be another struggle. He couldn’t expect me to stay with him every single night for the next six weeks.

That was unrealistic.

I got comfortable in bed and tilted my head toward the window, watching the never-ending commotion of the city. Just a few blocks down, I could see my building.

Hunt set his tablet aside then slid across the bed toward me. He lay beside me, his body pivoted into mine. His heavy arm circled my waist, and he rested his chin on my shoulder. With every little touch, his coarse hair scraped against my soft skin. The smell of body soap and his natural masculine scent came over me, surrounding me in a bubble. His sheets already smelled like him, and everything about his bedroom reflected his stern personality. His thick thighs grazed mine underneath the sheets. “You doing okay?”

“Yeah.” Even if I weren’t, I’d never admit it.

“Because you can tell me. I’m not going to think less of you.”

Silence.

He kissed my shoulder. “I know I have a big dick, baby. One of my flaws.”

That made me release a sarcastic chuckle. “I’m sure it’s lost you a lot of dates…”

“You’d be surprised.”

“No woman ever turned down a guy because his dick was too big.”

“All women are made differently…some smaller than others.”

“Well, I’m pretty small, and I take it just fine.”

“But you have an iron pussy.” He chuckled against my shoulder. “It’s indestructible.”

I felt his hand move to mine on my stomach. His large fingers interlocked with mine. He closed his eyes.

I didn’t close mine. “Why do you want me to sleep with you?”

His opened again at the question. “Because that’s what people do after sex. They screw then sleep.”

“Not true. And that didn’t answer my question.”

He was quiet, as if he wasn’t going to answer my question at all. “Maybe I actually like you, Titan.”

“Nobody likes me,” I whispered. “I’m ruthless and controlling.”

“And you’re also smart, funny, and sexy—in addition to being ruthless and controlling.”

“That still doesn’t make me a great teddy bear.”

“I disagree,” he said. “Why are you so repulsed by the idea of sleeping with me?”

“It has nothing to do with you, personally.”

“Then what’s the reason?” he pressed.

I could never tell. “I just don’t like it. If a man made the same statement, no one would question him for it.”

“Not true.”

“Yes, true.”

“How did you sleep last night?” he asked.

“I barely slept at all.”

He propped himself on his elbow and looked down at me. “I don’t snore, so why is that?”

“I’ve been sleeping alone for a long time. I’m not used to sharing a bed.”

His eyes studied my lips like he’d find more answers that way. “You can fuck me for six weeks, but sleeping beside me is still weird to you?”

“It’s nothing personal, Hunt.”

“It is personal,” he whispered. “I thought we were friends.”

“We are.”

“Friends trust each other. And I can tell you don’t trust me.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.” He lay back down and looked at the ceiling. “Which is a shame, because I trust you.” He reached over and switched off the lamp at his bedside. The bedroom was immersed in darkness, and he turned away.

I felt guilty when I shouldn’t. Hunt meant more to me than all the others. I saw him as someone who could be a lifelong friend, someone I cared about. I obviously wasn’t showing those feelings very well. I wasn’t good at being emotional, at wearing my heart on my sleeve.

I moved to his side of the bed and pressed my body against his back. Now I was the one who spooned him, my tits against his shoulder blades and my face against the back of his neck. “I do trust you, Hunt. You’re one of the people I trust most, actually…”

The only reaction he gave was his simple breathing. His back rose and fell with every breath, and he didn’t move an inch. He just lay there, pretending I didn’t exist.

I wasn’t getting anything out of him.

Then he spoke. “Prove it, Titan.”