Page 25 of His to Possess
The intensity of his gaze left me feeling exposed, as if he could see right through me. I forced another smile. "I'm sure it will be, Mr. Mendelson."
As they walked away, I sank back into my chair, my mind whirling. What had I gotten myself into? I thought of Rex, of the contract, of the carefully controlled life I had agreed to. How would I keep this from him? Should I even try?
No, I decided. What Rex didn't know wouldn't hurt him. As long as it didn't interfere with his schedule, there was no need for him to be aware of this endeavor. It was just work, after all.Nothing more. I was free to keep my work as it was… or, at the very least, so I told myself.
But as I turned back to my computer, trying to focus on the task at hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had just stepped onto a tightrope, balanced precariously between two powerful men with unknown motives. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever challenges lay ahead. I had made my choice. Now I just had to live with it.
Chapter 11
Laurel
I sank deeper into the warm water, letting it envelop me as I tried to wash away the stress of the day. The lavender-scented bubbles tickled my nose, but even their soothing aroma couldn't fully relax me. My mind kept drifting to the dress that lay on my bed, that stunning midnight blue velvet that reminded me of old Hollywood glamour. I had always enjoyed beautiful pieces of clothing as much as I did art, and a man like Rex had access to anything I could have ever wished to try out. As much as I hated to admit it. Plus, he had a good style, which matched mine. Ironically so.
But it wasn't just the dress that had me on edge. It was what Rex had left with it. The lingerie, dusty pink, delicate lace that seemed almost too fragile to touch. The garter belt, the sheer tights. Every piece was chosen with meticulous care, a silent command of what he expected tonight. All of it left very little to imagination, so my mind wondered what else he had in store for this evening.
I closed my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. The emerald pendant flashed in my mind, a glittering reminder of the opulence I had stepped into. It was beautiful, yes, but it felt like a collar.
My fingers traced idle patterns in the water as I considered the implications. Rex's laying out my clothes wasn't just about control. It was a message. He was invoking the terms of our contract, making it clear that he expected sex.
A shiver ran through me, despite the warm water. Part of me was excited, drawn to the dark allure of Rex. But another part recoiled at the clinical nature of it all. Sex scheduled and planned, like a business meeting. Besides, I had no doubt that he'd be a man of... particular taste. I could only hope that I'd be able to match it. That was the only way for me to move forward with this arrangement and bring my career to its former glory.
I sat up, water cascading off me as I reached for my towel. As I dried off, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Who was this woman, I wondered, agreeing to such terms? But I knew the answer. She was someone desperate. Someone who had no other choice. This was for the sake of survival in a world that was anything but forgiving and merciless.
I stepped out of the tub, my feet leaving damp prints on the tile. The dress awaited me, along with all it represented. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the evening ahead. Whatever Rex had planned, I reminded myself, I had chosen this. Now I had to see it through.
I started with a light touch of concealer under my eyes, erasing the evidence of my restless nights, and I applied a soft sweep of blush across my cheekbones. I lined my eyes with a subtle smoky shadow, enhancing their green without overwhelming. A coat of mascara, a dab of nude lipstick, and I was done. Simple, elegant, understated, a little of me underneath the veneer that Rex wanted.
Next, I tackled my hair. I gathered the damp auburn waves, twisting them into a low chignon at the nape of my neck. A few tendrils escaped, framing my face. I secured it with pins, each one feeling like another tether binding me to this agreement.
I turned to the bed where the outfit waited. The lingerie first. I slipped on the dusty pink bra, adjusting the delicate lace. The matching panties followed. I hesitated at the garter belt, my fingers trailing over the satin. It had been years since I had worn one. I fastened it around my waist, attaching the sheer stockings with trembling hands.
The dress was last. I stepped into it, savoring the feel of velvet against my skin as I pulled it up. It hugged my curves perfectly—of course it did. Rex's eye for detail extended to every aspect of his life, including my measurements. I struggled with the zipper for a moment before it finally glided up, encasing me in midnight blue.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, captivated not just by the dress but by the knowledge of what lay beneath.
I should have been outraged, disgusted even, at being treated like a doll for him to dress up and play with. But as I adjusted the emerald pendant at my throat, I was surprised to find that I wasn't as bothered as I should have been. In fact, there was a flutter of anticipation in my stomach.
The realization startled me. Had I lost all sense of self-respect? I must have. That was the only explanation I could find for this madness. Or was there a part of me that had always craved this kind of attention, this level of control? A small sigh escaped my lips. For so long, I had been doing what I had to. It was up to me to hold all the control and orchestrate every single aspect of my life. If I hadn't, it would have shown in all parts of my being. My work, my social life, my love life. Most of them had failed miserably over the past few years, under my supervision.
I tilted my head to the side as I bit my lip, studying my reflection. It had been months since I had been intimate with anyone, longer still since I had been in a real relationship. But I never pegged myself as someone with these kinds of desires. The idea of being compelled, so to speak, even if I had signed a contract agreeing to it, should have repulsed me. I knew that logically. The more I thought about it, though, the more my mind started twisting into something I didn't want even to acknowledge. Perhaps it would be pleasurable, in at least some way, not to have to think about anything and instead surrender to the lack of control. As messed up as it sounded, a part of me believed it could even be... cathartic.
The thought took me aback, completely unexpected and unwelcome, forcing me to face more questions that instantly flooded my mind.
Was I as twisted as Rex Compton? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I had always taken pride in my independence and strength. Yet here I was, dressed to his specifications, waiting for his command. Willingly. I had signed a contract that had basically deemed me his property, and for what? My career? Rex didn't strike me as the kind of man who would go back on his word, especially when a contract was involved, but then again... how much did I really know about a man like him?
I turned away from the mirror, unable to face my own conflicted gaze any longer. The room suddenly felt too warm, too confining. I glanced at the clock, realizing it was time to face the music.
Letting out a small sigh, I reached for the door and slowly pushed it open. The hallway beyond stretched out, quiet and still, like the entire penthouse was holding its breath.
A chill slid down my arms, raising goosebumps along my skin and making it hard to think clearly. For a moment, I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the edge of the door. A part ofme wanted to stop right there. Now that the final moment had arrived, when my contract would reach its full weight, I questioned everything and wanted to run, but deep down, I knew there was no way out. Wishing wouldn't change what was already set in motion.
With each step I took, the cold marble floor echoed beneath my heels, like a drumbeat echoing through the stillness. My heart thudded in my chest, matching the rhythm of my steps.
And then, just ahead, I saw him. In the dining room, Rex stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette stark against the twinkling city lights below.
He turned, and I couldn't help but notice how his navy three-piece suit perfectly complemented my dress. Even more unsettling was the dusty pink handkerchief peeking from his pocket—the exact shade of the lingerie hidden beneath my gown. Of course, he had coordinated every detail. It was both impressive and deeply unnerving.
His eyes raked over me, a wicked smile blooming on his face. I fought the urge to fidget under his intense gaze, forcing myself to stand still as he approached. Men like him fed off power, control, and influence, and I couldn't allow him to see how much of it he possessed over me.
