“If you’re dragging me in the bathroom to do drugs with you, Brooke, I’m going to slap you.”
When she said she had to talk to me, that was usually code for, “I have something you know you want.”
“Eww…no. I want to talk about Devon,” she said as I looked at her reflection in the mirror.
“What about Devon?”
“I don’t know; you’ve never talked about him before. Why have you kept him hidden?”
I laughed and shook my head. “I didn’t keep him hidden, I just didn’t want him to know what I was doing.”
“Why is that?” She cocked her head in the mirror.
“Well, for one thing, Madam was adamant about our friends and families not knowing what we did.”
She finished applying her lipstick and turned to face me. “Okay…so tell me about him now?”
I chuckled. “Devon is really not your type, he’s not like other men. He’s probably one of the last nice guys left on this earth. Who would never be okay with his girlfriend being a VIP.”
“Bella, I’m not talking about dating him, I’m talking about fucking him. Is he amazing?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
“You’ve never slept with him?”
“No.”
“Oh…huh…why?”
“Because he’s my best friend and a brother to me.”
She frowned. “I thought I was your best friend?”
I grinned and rolled my eyes. “Okay…he’s my best guy friend. Better?”
She smiled. “Much. How would you feel if I took him for a ride? Literally. I mean, didn’t you say he just got done with a divorce or something? I would totally take one for the team and help him to relieve some sexual tension, and trust me, he’s backed up.”
I jerked back. I hadn’t expected that. “Ummm…yeah, I guess.”
It wasn’t that I was jealous—I was far from it. I knew Brooke and she ate guys like Devon as an appetizer. I didn’t want him getting hurt and God forbid fall for her and then blame me or something when it didn’t work out. I couldn’t lose him.
I wouldn’t.
I watched them closely for the rest of the night. She was coming on strong and it seemed like Devon accepted each and every advance. When they left together, I almost stomped my foot like a child throwing a temper tantrum.
“You’ve been quiet the whole way back. You okay?” Sebastian inquired as I took off my jewelry and placed it in my travel bag.
“It’s just Devon and Brooke…I mean, it’s really bothering me.”
“Why is that?” he questioned.
I straddled his lap when I heard his agitated tone and his hands went to my ass. “It’s not what you’re thinking, silly man. I don’t want him to get hurt, and Brooke will do that and think it’s funny.”
“He’s a big boy, Ysa; he doesn’t need you to be looking out for him. Besides, he looked quite content all night.”
“I’m aware. He’s also just divorced his cheating, money hungry whore of a wife and he’s lonely and I don’t want him to make a rash decision based on how he’s feeling.”
He laughed. “Let me let you in on a little secret. Men fuck. They actually prefer to fuck with no strings attached. I think Brooke coming his way is the best thing for him right now.”
I shoved him harshly, he was pissing me off and he instantly flipped us over with him being on top of me.
“Want to try that again, Ysa?” he taunted with a certain edge to his voice.
“I know how men operate, Mr. Vanwell, trust me. I made a living off it. What you aren’t aware of is that a VIP isn’t like any other woman. He could fuck any other woman, be fine, and I would pat him on the goddamn back. He will fall for her and not even realize it.”
He narrowed his eyes, contemplating what I was saying. “How do you know that?”
You want honesty…well then here it is. “Because we’re made to be the fantasy. It’s an illusion. And even if she’s not getting paid to fuck him, it’s who she is. We don’t say no…to anything.”
I could see the pain in his eyes. I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings, but he was offending me by making me feel like I didn’t know what I was talking about. I would fuck with guys like Devon because I could and then laugh about it when I was done. It was a game. He was an easy target, plain and simple.
His eyes glazed over and his demeanor changed. It felt as though he had been thinking about VIP all night, like it plagued him.
Now…who’s the one who’s not being honest…
He urgently grabbed my wrists and held them firmly above my head, caging me in. He wanted me to feel like he was in control and I gladly gave it to him. The truth was, he was. He always is. He had no idea how much control he had over me. And for a woman like me…it was everything. It was more than just my heart and soul. See…control and power were my heart and soul. It is who I am and he owned it now.
I gave it to him the second I told him my name.
He had to know that, right?
“Is that how you saw me? Was I a game?”
It came out as a question, but it was more like an accusation.
What is going on in your head? What are you thinking?
“No, Sebastian, you were different,” I simply stated. “I didn’t understand you from day one. I never had anyone look at me the way you do, I still don’t.”
His other hand grazed my throat. “How do I look at you?” he inquired with an intense stare.
“Like I’m you’re everything. Like you would die for me. Like I belong to you.”
“Do you?”
I didn’t falter. “Wholeheartedly. I’m yours. I have been since the minute I fell into your arms. Here’s what you don’t understand, I will always be a VIP, except it’s for one person now. YOU. A leopard can’t change its spots, but they can adapt. I pretended to be whatever was requested. I’ve never pretended with you. I’ve never wanted to and that’s what makes you different.” I paused to let my words sink in.
“I love you, Sebastian.”
The penetrating gaze subsided and the storm was gone.
For now…