I haven’t taken a day away from the office in a very long time. But there was no way I was going to leave Dahlia today. We only have today and tomorrow left.

I still have work to do, and so does she, but as soon as I’m finished, she’s all mine.

My treasure is waiting for me in the living room. The last I saw her she was sprawled out on the rug with several textbooks and sketchpads, preparing for her final semester and an event for work.

My body relaxes as I remember how she asked me to go with her. She’s still coming around to being open with me and telling me what her needs are, but she’s doing much better now. It was so obvious that she thought I’d say no, but she’s my priority.

I open the desk drawer and take out the contract. I need to extend it, and I’ve been typing up the language for my half of the contract for the last hour. I’ve been distracted by the incessant phone calls from PR and my lawyer. I couldn't care less at this point. If my ex is going to publish her tell-all, I’ll sue her. I’m not giving her another penny. They don’t seem to agree with my tactic, but I don’t care anymore.

I’m done with her. Tricia is my past, and that’s where she’ll stay. If she wants to publish lies, then she can make herself a liar and wind up in court.

I sigh heavily and hate that I’ve given any more energy to her at all. My head is pounding with a relentless headache. My temples throb with pain that just isn’t leaving. I take another two Advil from the bottle on my desk and wash it down with my coffee.

It’s almost room temperature now, but I only need the caffeine. A smile graces my lip when my fingers run over the engraving on the outside of the steel mug. Please, sir.

She thinks she’s cute, my treasure. And she is.

My heart swells for a moment, but then my computer pings with yet another email. This one is from the executives that head up development.

I put my mug down on the desk, intent on getting to work and tying up these loose ends. Once I’m done for today, I’m going on vacation. I want time for just the two of us. She’ll be busy once school starts, but until then, her time is mine. And I want it all. Linda’s processing applications for another two executive assistants. I need to start delegating more work. It’s a slow going process, but I’m working on it.

I focus on the tasks at hand and make the final decisions on several contracts with ease. Knowing that once this is done with, I’ll be able to enjoy my treasure makes the time go by quickly.

A timid knock at the office door makes my fingers pause on the keyboard.

“Come in.”

Dahlia peeks her head in, only partially opening the door. “Are you busy?”

I have a moment.” I really do need to get this shit done. But I can put it on pause for her.

She walks easily to the desk and I turn my chair so she can sit on my lap. I love the feel of her body against mine. Her warmth and gentle touches soothe me.

I lay a hand on her thigh and plant a small kiss on her neck.

“Will you be done soon?” she asks me. Tricia used to ask me that all the time. At first, anyway. She stopped a few months into the marriage, when she gave up.

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. The headache is coming on full force now. I hate that the thought of Tricia ever came to my mind because of something my treasure said. They’re nothing alike.

“I have another two hours at least,” I tell her, knowing that it’ll possibly be more, but I’ll come back and finish once she’s gone to bed. I’ll make time for her. I’m committed to that.

“I was going to make dinner,” she wraps her arms around my shoulders, “or maybe order something?”

“What do you want?” I ask her. A sweet smile slips into place on her lips.

“That’s what I came in to ask you.” I hug her waist closer to me, her ass slipping against my cock and stirring desire. I nip her neck and debate on taking her now. Sating her so she can relax while I finish this.

“What’s this?” she asks, her forehead pinched.

I glance down at the contract on the desk. “It’s not ready yet. It’s the new contract.”

She picks up the papers and skims through them.

My body tenses as the crease in her forehead becomes deeper and the look of unhappiness is evident in her eyes.

“I don’t want to sign this,” she says finally. Her voice is full of apprehension and soft with doubt. But she looks back at me, setting the papers down with strength and finality. She shakes her head. “I don’t want to sign it.”

I didn’t expect that. My body chills at how resolute her decision is. “Do you want more money?” I ask her, not knowing what other problems she could have with it. I’ve put in her needs. I know I’ll meet them. These past few days have been nothing but perfection.

Dahlia pushes away from me and climbs off of my lap, her warmth leaving me wanting her. I grip her hips to keep her from leaving me but she slaps me away, catching me by surprise.

I quickly rise from my desk, the chair falling backward onto the floor. A touch of fear flashes in her eyes as she walks backward.

I raise my hands, although my voice is strong and my eyes are narrowed. “Dahlia,” I say and her eyes fly to mine. She looks angry, but more than that, upset.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her, although I’m not a fucking idiot. I shouldn’t have implied that it was about money. It’s a habit of mine. It’s hard breaking them, but I know my treasure better than that. It’s not about the money for her. I should have known that.

“I don’t want your money,” her voice cracks slightly as she crosses her arms and looks away. “I’m not-”

“I’m sorry.” I walk toward her, slowly moving my hands around her hips. I can tell she wants to push me away, she wants to leave, but she’s my Submissive.

She should have known better than to leave me like she did. She knows better than that. But then again, I knew better than to bring up money.

“Look at me,” I say and as the words leave my lips, she obeys. A small frown mars her beautiful face. “Whatever you want to change in the contract, just let me know.”

She shakes her head, and her face crumples. “I don’t want a contract.”

My grip on her tightens, and my heart races in my chest.

“I don’t know why you want this if we’re… if we’re more than this.” Her voice is shaky, and she’s obviously extremely upset. I don’t understand why though.

I hate that she’s questioning me. I need contracts. Whatever she wants to change, I can alter. I don’t mind that.

“I want this, treasure. I need this.” I understand it’s fucked up. But I do. I need to know that when I make her angry, or when I fail her, she can’t leave me. I need to know she’ll still be here and I’ll be able to make it right.

“This is what I want from you… equality,” she stresses the last word and I still don’t understand. I don’t get what this has to do with the contract or anything for that matter.

“You are my equal. How can you not see that?”

“I’m your Submissive. I can’t be both!”

“You are my Submissive, my other half and my equal. They’re all one and the same.” It pisses me off that she would think less of herself.

She looks lost again. I’ll show her what it means to be mine. My everything. She’s best when she submits. She’s more comfortable in that role. This questioning everything isn’t what she needs.

“I’ll change whatever you want, and you’ll sign the contract.” I’m forceful with her. It’s what she needs, I know it is.

“Now get on your knees.” She just needs a hard fuck. I’ve been too busy for her. I won’t make the same mistake I made with Tricia, not with her. I can’t let her get away from me. I won’t let my treasure slip through my fingers.

She looks back at me with uncertainty. “Did you kill him?” she asks me.

My heart stops in my chest, my blood running cold. She hasn’t asked. She hasn’t brought it up since she got the text messages from her mother. I could tell she knew. It has to be obvious.

“Where’s this coming from?” I ask her.

“That’s not an answer.” Her voice is low, and wavers.

“I’m your Dom, you’ll do well to remember that right now.”

“I thought you said I was your equal?” she asks as she cocks a brow at me, her voice broken and raw. My heart twists in my chest.

“Yes, you are, and yes, I had him killed.” The words slip from my lips before I can stop them, my heart beating so hard it slams with pain on each beat.

She gasps and steps back slightly. My breathing comes in ragged as I wait for her response. I never intended on telling her. I didn’t want her to have to carry the weight of knowing. But I won’t lie to her.

“He deserved to die, Dahlia. Not only for what he did to you, but what he continued to do after.” My words are full of conviction, but she doesn’t respond.

She looks toward the door, but I don’t want her to leave me. She’s scared, and I can comfort her. I can make this right.

I breathe out deeply. “I need you to understand that you’re safe. I’ll always make sure you’re safe.”

Her breathing comes in quicker, and she looks so lost. She’s forever lost and insecure. If only she’d listen to me. “Come here.”

“No,” she’s quick to respond, and it pisses me off.

I narrow my eyes at her. “Treasure,” I say and my voice holds a note of admonishment. She’s going to be punished for deliberately disobeying me.

“You’re not leaving, Dahlia.” I won’t let her go. I can’t. I can’t lose her.

“I have to.” I close my eyes at her words, hating them. My hands ball into fists at my side.

“You don’t have to do a damn thing but do as I say. Come here.”

“Don’t make me stay. Please, don’t make me stay.” My body heats with anxiety at the fear in her voice. She’s afraid of me. Tears leak from the corners of her eyes. No. I shake my head, denying that this is even a reality. This wasn’t meant to hurt her. I only meant to give her justice.

“It’s me, Dahlia. I’m still the same man I was.”

“You killed him?” There’s a mix of disbelief, fear, and something else in her voice.

I nod my head once. “I hired the hit.” Regret starts to creep in, but I refuse to allow it. I had to do the right thing. I only wish she’d understand.

“Come here.” I soften my voice, waiting for her Submissive side to come through. I take two steps toward her and she backs away.

“Red.” My lungs stop working as she whispers the word, shaking her head. She walks to the door, her soft footsteps echoing in the room and I let her go, standing still and just trying to breathe.

She just needs time. The door closes behind her and I try to move, but I can’t. She safe worded me. She left me.

She just needs time. I take in a ragged breath.

I knew that her uncle’s death would affect her. I want to be there for her. I know what she needs.

But she doesn’t trust me yet. She hasn’t given herself fully to me.

I sink into my chair, hating that I had to let her leave, but knowing I’ll have her back. She can’t leave me. I know she loves me. I fucking love her, too. I’ll give her whatever she wants. I just need her back.