“Say something, Koshenya.”
Eriq hadn’t asked her to stay, he’d told her to stay, told her he wasn’t letting her go. Sofia had said nothing. Granted, she’d been busy pulsating around his cock, but still.
“I—I’m not sure what to say.”
He kissed her, grinning.
“That’s okay, Kitten. You don’t have to. As long as you know you’re staying here in Charleston with me, we’re good.”
Sofia chuffed.
“I’m serious, Sofia.”
“For how long?”
“I’m not very serious for long, usually.”
She rolled her eyes and he nipped at her lip.
“I warned you before, I do not like the eye rolling.”
“How long do you want me to stay in Charleston?” she asked, ignoring his warning.
Eriq frowned, pinning her with his icy blue stare.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean, Koshenya. When I said I wasn’t letting you go, I meant it. You’re mine, and I intend to keep you. Indefinitely.”
“But—but …”
He cut her off with another kiss. He was still hard inside her sweet body. If she needed another lesson on who owned her, he’d gladly give it.
Sofia’s heart slammed into her ribcage so loud, every immortal in the manor could probably hear it. Eriq wanted her to stay, wanted her to be his. She decided not to question it, focusing on returning his affection ardently.
He pitched his hips forward, effortlessly sliding through the combined aftermath from just moments before. Their mixed scents were a fragrant elixir, enticing his senses.
From somewhere near the desk, Sofia’s cell phone rang. They both ignored.
Seconds later, the phone beside the bed rang, disrupting his motions.
“Shit. You need to answer that,” he said.
“Why?” she licked under his chin, then bit it gently.
“Because the only person who has your cell phone number and who knows you’re in this room is Amelia. I’m guessing if you don’t answer, she’ll be knocking on your door shortly.”
Sofia reached for the phone, but the ringing cut off.
“Should I call her back?” Sofia asked.
Knocking came from the door.
“Told ya,” Eriq said, earning him a slap on the arm.
Before he could get out of the bed, Amelia’s voice was coming through the door.
“Sofia? We have a little situation.”
Eriq teleported to the door, not bothering to cover up his nudity. He jerked the handle and was met with Amelia’s worried face.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Amelia pointedly ignored his very angry, and very visible, bobbing fun stick. She’d known he was in here with Sofia. She hadn’t known he’d open the door waving his sword at her.
Sofia was tying her robe, walking towards her pretend auntie.
“It seems your father caught wind of your location, dearie.”
“So?” Sofia shrugged a shoulder.
“So, apparently it was more than his daemon could handle. I guess when he kicked you out, he assumed you would set up a household, get a job, date,” Amelia waved her hand around with each word.
“Let me guess, Andrei wasn’t too keen on her living inside a sex club,” Eriq speculated.
He didn’t divulge he would be moving Sofia into his home. He was too busy focusing on controlling his anger towards Andrei.
“He’s on his way here, Sofe. He’ll be here in an hour or so,” Amelia informed them, “but don’t worry. I’ll just use my siren call on him. He won’t bother you again.”
Sofia shook her head. She wasn’t afraid. She wasn’t even angry. She was sad.
“No, I’d rather know his true feelings. I don’t want him to accept me because you will it.”
She couldn’t stand the looks of pity on Eriq’s and Amelia’s faces.
“Look, I’d like to be alone for a little while. Please,” Sofia rubbed her eyes, needing time to deal with her feelings towards her father.
Amelia embraced Sofia and kissed her cheek.
“Call me if you need me. I’ll let you know when he arrives. Do not think for one second you have to speak to the bastard.”
“Thanks, Amelia.”
The siren winked and turned to go, pausing in front of Eriq.
“I know you’ve been busy, Eriq, but you do have two submissives on your rotation this morning. I’ll let them know you’re running late.”
Amelia left and Eriq shut the door. Damnit. He hadn’t paid attention to the time.
Sofia felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown in her face. Eriq was getting ready to go downstairs and fuck not one, but two submissives-in-training? After what just happened in her bed?
A weight, cold and heavy, settled in her chest, practically suffocating her. She struggled for control.
She’d watched him with Lucy. During the act, in the training room, it hadn’t bothered her. Neither had the interlude in the bar with Adam.
Sofia had been turned on by all of it. But, even as he was fucking Lucy, and as Adam was touching Sofia, Eriq’s attention had belonged to Sofia and hers had belonged to him.
She couldn’t articulate her reasons, but Eriq going off on his own to be with others was different. It felt different.
He hadn’t defined what being his meant. Maybe it meant she was his steady source at home, but he’d still be House Dominant in every sense of the title.
“Shit,” Eriq griped, reaching for his clothing and hastily dressing.
“Sofia, I’m sorry. I need to go take care of this. I’ll come right back,” he tried to reassure her he wouldn’t be gone for long.
“No, it’s fine. Go do … whatever it is you need to do with them.”
She turned her back, heading to the bathroom. Jealousy ate at her. She was upset and did not want him to see it.
Eriq’s eyes snapped to Sofia’s retreating figure. Her voice was off.
“Sofia?”
“Hmm?” she replied, pausing but not turning.
Eriq rounded Sofia and stood facing his little Kitten. She was upset, and he hated it. Andrei would regret his actions. He caressed her cheek and brushed his thumb across her lower lip.
“Don’t worry, Sofia. I will be with you when you face your father. I won’t leave you to deal with him on your own.”
Sofia closed her eyes. It helped keep the tears at bay. Eriq thought she was distressed over her asshole father.
She was, but it paled in comparison to her turmoil over Eriq. She’d known him less than a week and she was already in over her head.
He wanted her to stay, but she didn’t think she could. They’d made no promises, no true commitment aside from her remaining in Charleston.
Tell him, she thought, willing the words to come out. She’d never been afraid of speaking her mind to anyone other than her father. Why was she so terrified of telling him she didn’t think she could handle his job?
“I’ll be back before Andrei arrives.”
Eriq swept his lips across hers, then teleported down to the training room.
Sofia’s hold slipped, and she let the tears fall.