Page 33 of Shattered Diamonds

She is in her own little world. She has no clue I’m standing here, watching her. Nor the fact that she has another admirer across the room who is so mesmerized by her beauty, that he doesn’t realize I’m watching him as well.

The song ends and with a launch off the ground and a landing, I can only assume took extraordinary energy to accomplish with so much grace, she sits in the final position in exhaustion.

“You didn’t obey my orders.” I step out of the shadows. “There will always be consequences to orders not followed, young pup.”

She startles at my voice and jerks her head up. “Demetri…” Her chest heaves for air. “I will never follow any man’s direction when referred to as a dog.”

I crook my finger at her. “Come here, Haven.”

She hesitates only a second before standing to her full height and strutting her sweat soaked, full-figured body towards me. She stops and stands directly in front of me with a lifted, defiant chin. My fingers clutch her jaw. “You want to know what I saw in you tonight?”

“No.”

“You sure about that? I believe you may enjoy my analysis.” She stays silent. “I saw a woman who is fighting to be looked at as an adult. The girl inside still held down by domineering men. An innocent who has been looked after so fiercely, so safeguarded, that she hasn’t experienced life. You’re afraid of your own shadow, young pup.” I hold her gaze. “I also know when I made you come on my tongue, your eyes illuminated like fireflies being set free for the first time.”

Her blush covers her alabaster skin. “You are no different than them.” She boldly stares up at me.

“But I am. You are unsure of me, but you are also drawn to me. You want to listen to my orders but you’re not sure you should because you have only listened to the family members you have trust in. However, you were sassy enough to tell me you were attracted to me while we were in the museum.”

“Why should I trust you? I don’t even know you.”

“There is plenty of time to get to know me. But know this. When I order you to do something, do it without hesitation.”

“You sound just like every other overbearing, controlling, egotistical male with so many insecurities that he has to act like he is secure in himself by the act he puts on.”

I gruffly chuckle at that. “If I were insecure or had no self-control, I would have broken that virginal seal you have kept in contact tonight.”

“Then why all the orders?”

“Because it is who I am. A dominant man who is only attracted to submissive women. Luckily for the both of us, you are submissive, Haven. Whether you want to believe it or not, you are.” Her gaze floats over mine. I let go of her chin and pull her closer to my body. “You feel that? Put your hand on my cock,” I order as I slide my hand down to the opening of her shorts at her thigh. I back her up against the wall and hold her in place. Her hand cups me with a timidness. My fingers slide underneath the cotton and work their way to her opening. She slides her hand up and down the material of my slacks. “Close your eyes, firefly.” I work my way up her slick skin, her clitoris swollen from earlier and eager for more. Her breathing picks up. Her head drops back against the wall. Her mouth falls open. Small sounds fill her chest.

That’s it, Haven.

She is on the cusp of letting go when I lean in and whisper, “Yell loud for your bodyguard, firefly. Let him know who you belong to now.” She freezes at my words. I pull away, repositioning the raging hard-on I have.

“Bastard,” she breathes, puffing through her denied orgasm.

The click of the door closing behind us sounds softly through the room. “If you and your bodyguard have something going on, it ends right fucking now. Understood? I own this body. I now own you. Make sure he knows that. Or I will.”

“I—We don’t. We’re not.” She stutters over her words, shocked that he was in the room watching and exasperated that I didn’t finish getting her off.

I take a step back from her. “Now, do as you were told the first time and go to bed, Haven.” I turn my back on her and walk away, leaving her to her own thoughts at what just transpired before turning back and saying, “And the next time you call me by my first name, be prepared for the consequences.”

ChapterFifteen

HAVEN

My phone rings insistently.I have ignored my best friend all morning. I know once I get on the phone with her, I will spill everything and I’m not sure I want to do that just yet. I am more than confused about this thing, this… dynamic that is happening between Demetri and me. One moment, I want to run away from him, and the next, I am drawn to him like a bee seeking the comfort of its honey.

I shower and head downstairs for our customary breakfast. However, this morning, Finn is sitting at the table with Ciarán and Cillian already when he usually comes in a little later after his run. My cousin and brother say good morning as they’re grabbing for their food, but Finn stays quiet. I shyly glance in his direction. His eyes, lit with fire, are glued to me. Ciarán takes notice of the heat radiating off Finn and the blush creeping across my skin at the embarrassment of Finn watching Demetri manipulate me.

I grab an orange and an apple for later and excuse myself. I don’t get too far when Cillian calls me back.

“Where you going?”

“To the gym. Decided I want to get a run in before going out today.”

“I’ll run with you, Haven,” Finn gruffly chimes in, quickly shifting into the bodyguard mode.

---