Page 19 of Break Me Not

“I’ve been a bad girl, Mommy. Teach me a lesson? Please?”

She stuttered against me, and then, ever so slightly, craned her neck to the side.

She’s inviting me.

And I was too weak to say no.

“Please,” I whispered against the skin of her neck and placed a kiss on the slender column.

“What do you want from me?” she whispered.

One hand slid to hers, and I intertwined our fingers. The other hand found her hip, forcing it back against me. Our bodies melded together seamlessly.

“Everything,” I admitted. “Let me show you what I can do for you. Let me be a good girl for you.”

My tongue ran up the side of her neck and to her ear before I brought her earlobe between my teeth. Her gasp was sinful.

I wanted to see her face so badly, but I knew just how careful I had to be.

“Let me make you feel good, then punish me. If you’re still not convinced of how sorry I am, I’ll leave and get another company in here to take care of security for you. Okay?”

I’m so close.

I moved my hand and slowly slipped under her shirt, but as soon as my fingertips hit skin, she gasped and pushed me away.

Panic ran through me as she turned to me with narrowed eyes.

Stupid. Keep yourself together.

“I'm returning the money,” she declared. “I want you gone.”

I raised my hands, showing her I meant no harm.

“I overstepped⁠—”

“Again.”

“Again, I’m sorry.” She watched me with cautious eyes. “Keep the money. Let me do the job for free. It's my way of apologizing. Okay? I'll leave you alone. I'll only be here for security stuff, okay?”

Her gaze softened, and she brought that reddened lip between her teeth.

“I'm only agreeing because I'm in dire need of security, okay? It has nothing to do with you. And I trust Sloan. Even after all this.” The last part was said in a low grumble.

“Understood,” I said, a weight lifting off me. “No talk of punishment. Unless you’re still into that, then we could make an appointment at the club⁠—”

She shut my mouth with a single look. Fuck, that look alone does things to me. I could see it now. Me on my knees for her. Me bent over with her hand slapping my ass until it bruised.

I couldn't help the smile pulling at my lips.

“Meet me back here tomorrow morning. Because of what happened, I want a team of men outside the gallery tonight. All night.”

I nodded. It wasn't an unreasonable request. “Of course.”

She turned and opened the door, but just as she was leaving, I finally got to the question that had been bothering me the whole time.

“Liz… Are you in some type of trouble?”

She froze but didn't look back at me.