Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Landon

Listen to Houdini

by Dua Lipa

I watched the skinny ass groupie plaster herself against Adam, but I stood back, refusing to spin out of control. First, I knew this was going to be a new way of life for Adam and I better get used to it. Didn’t mean I had to like the new world he stepped into, but right now, I had no choice.

Second, a little tart who thought she could control him with his dick was no competition. She was more of a joke.

Third, I wanted to see how Adam handled her. I had to admit, I was impressed. But no way would I show that to him. Let him worry about my reaction a bit. Keeping Adam engaged was important, for both of us. We seemed to thrive by playing the edge, and jealousy kept in check was sometimes a thrilling game.

As long as we both agreed to the rules.

“Am I interrupting?” I asked, in a sweet, drippy voice. “Should I come back when you’re done?”

Adam narrowed his gaze in warning. My lips quirked with the need to grin, but I had an audience.

How fun.

Adam’s fan didn’t seem to care that she’d just been rejected and pushed away. The girl practically sneered, her judgy gaze assessing me and grudgingly admitting to competition. There was one thing I was confident in and that was my looks. “Don’t bother coming back. He’ll be busy a long time.”

I arched a brow. “That right?”

“That’s right,” she snapped back, having the balls to shove her fake tits against his arm and try to wrap her body around his like a snake. “Bye.”

I let out a long sigh. “Okay, let’s do this fast since our friends are waiting. Get your cheap KK carbon copy ass out of here before things get ugly. Your grubby hands are touching my property. This pisses me off.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “You can’t talk to me like that! You don’t own him.”

I leaned against the doorjamb and acted bored “Actually, I can and I did.” My voice dropped in a low warning. “And I do own him. Don’t make me count to three.”

“Are you going to let her?—”

He cut the girl’s protest off, grabbing her arm firmly, and escorting her past me and out the door. “Yep. Don’t come back—I’m taken.”

Then he took my hand, pulled me into the room, and shut the door.

“Bye!” I shouted through the barrier.

Adam shook his head, obviously amused. I kept my face emotionless, refusing to give in too easily. I practically shuddered at the idea of that skank touching him, especially on his bare skin. The primitive animal within roared in feminine disapproval, wanting to mark him all over with my scent; my tongue; my teeth; confirming it wouldn’t happen again. Adam stared at me and studied my face. “Sorry. She forced herself in here. I was about to get rid of her.”

I cocked my head, considering. “Yet, I found her pretty damn close. Did she kiss you?”

“Hell, no.”

“Just checking,” I drawled, regarding him with heavy lidded eyes. I knew Adam had no interest in anyone else. I knew he was loyal. But if these episodes were going to become common place, it was time he learned how to protect himself. “If this is going to be a regular occurrence, I’ll meet you outside when you’re done satisfying your groupies. I don’t need to see your private meet and greets.”

The air squeezed with danger. His gaze raked over me, and I fought a shudder. Those heated, lustful eyes felt like a touch, skimming over every sensitive part of my body like the teasing lick of his tongue. The bond between us tugged tight; wrapping us together no matter how much we fought. I had a love/hate relationship with our connection. It was both heady and terrifying. “Landon.” He said my name in warning.

I couldn’t help but push. “Adam,” I mocked.

“Did you worry about that girl?” he asked roughly. “Afraid she’d tempt me away from you?”

Oh, that comment stung. Anger slapped me in the face from the demeaning idea she could even tempt a second look. “If your head is turned for a half assed piece like that, good riddance,” I sneered.

Instead of getting mad, he grinned with satisfaction. “Such a mouth on you,” he murmured. He reached out and trailed his fingers over my lips. “We already went over this. You know there’s no one else for me, and no one else for you. I played your game, and I won. Now, you’re my prize.”

His eyes burned as he said the words; words I both resented and reveled in. It was like he was a Fated mate and when he called me, I fell apart, because my entire body shook helplessly, trapped in his spell. He was right, but I wasn’t ready to surrender. Not after his arrogant declaration.

Adam would have to work a little harder.

“I’d like to see you try to own me,” I taunted, opening my lips to bite his index finger. He jerked back, gaze narrowing. My heart beat wildly in half fear, half excitement. “I do what I want, when I want.”

“Not with me,” he said softly. “I don’t share, especially you.”

I almost sagged with the violence of my emotion—overcome with a fierce joy at his bold claim. I didn’t share either, and loved that Adam wasn’t afraid of letting me know. But I couldn’t help the devilish urge to play and test boundaries. It was a part of who I was. It was part of the dark stuff I usually buried. With Adam, I no longer had to hide.

“Maybe I need my own adoring fans,” I said softly. My smile was all challenge. “Did you see how you worked up the crowd? There’s a bunch of sweaty, horny people out there, ready to do anything to satisfy their hunger.” I felt my own needs rise up and strangle me whole. “They crave bad things, Adam. Just like I do. And you’re the one who set them all off.”

A curse slipped from his lips. Those dark eyes swam with a primal yearning and a touch of violence. His hand wrapped around my throat, holding me in a firm, yet gentle grip. “What do you crave, Landon? Do you have the guts to tell me?”

I shuddered. My nipples were hard, and I’d soaked my panties. I practically swayed on my feet, the earthy scents of whisky, musk, and arousal filling my nostrils. “Being naked. Spread out. Tied up.” His grip around my throat slowly tightened. With his other hand, he leisurely flicked my tight nipples with his thumb. I felt chained and owned, with a wild arousal pumping through my veins.

“What else?” he commanded, his gaze locking with mine.

“Your mouth on my pussy, forcing me to come. Your cock between my lips. The slap of your hand on my ass.”

“You want all of it, don’t you, sweetheart? All from me?”

I practically purred. “Maybe,” I whispered.

Darkness enveloped him. A cruel smile tipped his lips. “If you touch anyone else, I’ll punish you. Oh, I’ll tie you up and fuck your pretty body, but you won’t get to come, no matter how you beg.” I widened my eyes, fascinated by this other part of Adam, melding with his beautiful, creative side; enveloping the gentle, nurturing soul that held me like a broken bird he intended to make fly again. “I’ll hurt you, princess. I’ll make you cry.”

We stared at each other while the air snapped and crackled like a live circuit. A shaky sigh escaped me, along with a tiny moan. His pupils dilated at the sound. His fingers squeezed tighter, making it harder to breathe.

“Adam?”

“Landon?”

I swayed toward him. He dropped his forehead to mine, forcing me to look deep into his eyes.

“We have to get back now. They’re waiting for us.”

He squinted at me in warning. “I love games, baby. Just be very careful you know what you have to sacrifice if you lose.”

In one swift movement, I yanked away. He let me go, his hand midway in the air, holding empty space. My laugh was full and deep and slightly cruel, like he was. “The night is young, music man. There’s plenty of play left so maybe you shouldn’t underestimate me.”

I backed away and opened the door.

“Go ahead and run, Landon. I’ll catch you.”

My skin prickled and hot desire weakened my knees. If he picked me up and fucked me right now against the wall, I wouldn’t care. If he dragged me out of the club and threw me against the dirty brick wall and pushed me to my knees, I’d open my mouth with eagerness. If he took off his belt and pulled down my pants to whip me, I’d beg for more while I cried.

Because Adam owned me. But I was a worthy opponent. I’d just never had anyone spring open Pandora’s box and allow me to fly.

“Maybe,” I mouthed, blowing him a kiss.

I turned my back on him.

And ran.