Page 85 of Obey

I snort in amusement. “It’s not an order if we were going to do it anyway.”

Hopefully, this is the last time Silvano will bring it up ever again. I can handle him knowing about me and Knives, but I don’t need him commenting on our sex life ever again.

And I do intend to have a very, very active sex life with Knives from now on.

TWENTY

MADDOX

The manager at Club Alpha gives us both an unimpressed look. “I want you to know that I was against this, but Silvano is a personal friend. But you’re on thin ice. If I see anything that I don’t like, you’ll be permanently banned, and Silvano won’t be able to pull favors again.”

Knives nods quickly. “Understood, Ma’am. We’ve, ah, resolved our issues. Nothing like that will ever happen again.”

I’m still not sure it was a good idea to come back.

I have several missed calls and unanswered texts from Carl—messages I haven’t answered because there was really nothing to say. I hadn’t thought I’d have to own up to it, but now that cowardice seems like it’s going to bite me in the ass because there’s a good chance I’m going to run into him tonight.

At Knives’s side, no less.

“Understood,” I echo.

She looks between us, clearly doubtful, but she nods. “We’ll see.”

I wait for her to leave before I turn to face Knives. “Are you sure this is a good idea? I know it’ll take a few days, but I can get more equipment. We don’t have to be here.”

Knives scowls. “I’m not chickening out.” He turns and turns that fierce expression on me. “Unless you don’t want everybody here to know that you’re mine now?”

I cross my arms against my chest. “Have I been hiding it?” I challenge him.

Knives relaxes and shakes his head. “No. Sorry. Bad habits.” He sighs and starts walking into the main play area. I follow closely behind, unsure if I’m relieved or disappointed that he doesn’t attempt to manhandle me or show any obvious signs of ownership.

It’s one thing for people to know we’re dating.

It’s another to show up here and be openly submissive to him. I’m not ashamed of being a sub, but that was when the mafia and personal parts of my life were separate.

If Silvano can do this kind of stuff and still be seen as competent and in charge, though, then so can I.

I grab his arm, stopping him just shy of the play room. “Hey,” I say, pulling him in close to me. “I’m not hiding, Nayeem.”

Knives meets my gaze, then nods. “Yeah. Uh, maybe it’s not you who’s nervous. I’ve never been in this club with a real partner. Or any club.”

“Neither have I,” I say. “I know you think I was ‘with’ Carl or whatever, but that was just playing.”

Carl had wanted it to be real, though. He’d wanted to be my Dom, to take care of me and make sure I didn’t work too much and whatever else he’d thought being with me would consist of.

Knives and I reach the main hall, with the St. Andrew’s Cross I’d been bound to last time still front and center. I stare at it with a mixture of dread and desire.

“You’re into getting shown off?” Knives asks, catching my gaze. “Well, I know you’re very into semi-public sex.”

My cheeks flush hot. “I…” I don’t want to say yes, but I don’t want to lie, either. I sigh, nodding. “Yeah. I kinda like when people watch.”

Kinda might be an understatement.

It’s dangerous, and it puts me at risk, and still I love it. That might have been why I’d dared to volunteer for the demonstration in New Valence, too.

Well, that, and how pissed off I’d been at Knives.

Knives grins at me. “I wasn’t throwing you into every nearest closet I could because I don’t enjoy the thrill.” He grips my shoulder and squeezes tightly. “Is that what you want to do? I’ll work you over in front of everyone, and when you’re completely high out of your mind, I’ll drag you into a private room and shove my cock down your throat, your own cock aching hard and waiting for me to touch it.”

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