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The room is silent except for the loud purr of the projector.

I raise my hands in surrender. “You’re right.”

Jason stares, unblinking, with a clenched jaw. I know there’s no convincing him and he won’t settle down until we’re back.

Sara clears her throat. “If I may, no one will be out of our sight, gentlemen. Because we have these.”

She presses a key on her laptop, and an image appears on the wall the projector faces.

“Starting the show without us?” Olivia questions.

She and Jasmin walk in first, temporarily blocking my view from Niki. I know Liv takes a seat, and that Jasmin is next to join her, but my mind can’t register the conversation that begins to unfold. I can’t peel my eyes away from my little fox. She looks absolutely ravishing, her milky skin glows against the pearls that make up her top. Instead of her usual look, tonight she appears regal; nothing is out of place.

Niki always looks drop dead gorgeous–she’s got a natural sexiness that allures any and every person. Her look demands attention. But it’s also very casual and effortless. Tonight, however, she is anythingbuta breeze. She can easily knock the wind out of anyone with that outfit.

“If looks could render a man speechless, I’d say we have a winner,” Niki teases and smiles while she takes a seat next to Jasmin.

I frown; she’s too far. And so I stand, gently push her chair back, and take her hand in mine. I ignore her confused gaze and lead her to sit on my lap instead. Beside us, Jasmin chuckles.

She smells of fresh citrus and honey. I move her silky, smooth hair over her shoulder and press my nose to her neck. I lick up from her collarbone to her earlobe and her skin is immediately covered in goosebumps. I smile into her ear and keep quiet, letting her know that she indeed has rendered me speechless.

All thoughts of invading Carlton’s party leave my head. Instead, I imagine I’m with Niki somewhere warm. She’d love Rapa Nui. Her soft skin would glow and I would tire her out by teaching her to surf during the day and fucking her all night under the moonlight. We can explore the national park and fish and—

“What do you think, Dylan?”

Niki chuckles, and I groan into her neck. I don’t know what the fuck they’ve been saying. “About what?”

Jason sounds exasperated. “The quality of the picture and clarity of sound.”

My face is still deep in Niki’s neck, and I lift my eyes to the wall where a detailed image of the room appears. I nod absentmindedly. I’m still in Rapa Nui with my fox.

“The lens is hidden behind a stone that works like tiny mirrors, allowing for a more authentic—”

I nibble on Niki’s earlobe. “How is it being captured?”

Sara points to a dainty gold chain with a teardrop shaped ruby around her neck. She reaches back and unclasps it and rises out of her seat. She makes her way to Jasmin and the image on the screen moves with her. She settles it around Jasmin’s neck, and we get a clear view of what is directly in front of her in crisp quality.

Someday soon, I’ll take Niki, and all of this shit will be a blur in our past. But today, she needs my focushere. My face dips into the hollow of her neck. “What else is there?”

Sara proceeds to equip us with jewelry containing built in surveillance. A diamond bracelet and drop diamond earrings for Olivia. A matching ruby-encrusted hair brooch for Jasmin, along with ruby studs. A silver bangle and hoop earrings for Niki. None of it isreal,but they look genuine and exquisite, nonetheless.

She gives Niki an expectant look and slides a black jewelry box to her. It’s big enough to house a watch. Niki moves to stand, and I push the chair back slightly.

She turns to me. “Jacket off.”

I frown, but I’m intrigued enough that I slide it off and toss it onto the chair next to me. She skims her eyes over me and gives me a mischievous grin. Niki pops the box open and takes out a chrome chain-mail collar with a long leash. She approaches me and reaches up and collocates it around my neck.

“Perfect,” she purrs. She connects the long dangling leash to her free wrist and tugs.

The chain around my neck squeezes gently, and I’m forced to comply. My body is shoved forward slightly and my shoulders buck. Liquid lava fills my veins and steam hisses in my ears.

“What the fuck is this?” I tug on the leash.

“You’re my pet,” Niki offers sheepishly, but I see right through her facade of innocence.

I clear my throat and put two fingers through the collar and push up to release the grip. “Absolutely not.”

“If you insist on joining us,thisis the only way. Unless you want to finagle your own invite, which I hear is a pretty complicated server to hack into.” She turns to Sara, who avoids looking my way.

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