ROSE “Rose?” Patty gently calls out waking me from my post-sex nap. “It’s lunchtime. I brought up Stanley’s famous philly cheesesteak sandwiches with fries and grilled veggies.” “I’ll be right out,” I yell out so she can hear me. I get out of the bed, wincing at the soreness I have. Holy moly, my whole-body hurts, especially between my legs and my upper thighs. I grin remembering why I’m sore. I make my way to the bathroom to do my bathroom business and to get dressed in the lounge clothes I keep stacked next to the bathtub. As I wash my hands I look up into the mirror and freeze. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!! On the left side of my neck, in the hollow right where my neck meets my shoulder isn’t just a hickey…OH NO! That is a bite mark! I mean, it was wild animal sex up against the bedroom door and I really want to experience that again but… COME ON! He bit me! Like a fucking animal! I can see the edges where his teeth clamped down into me. The skin never broke, thank God; I would have b

TYSONI pull out of the garage in my Ferrari and head to Rose’s apartment. My skin is absolutely buzzing in anticipation of the punishment I’m going to receive tonight. Rose has never exhibited any inherent traits that would indicate she has any dominant behavior. I have a feeling that she will try, but I’ll end up in charge. That’s fine by me, I like being in charge. I haven’t fully let that side of me out yet, wanting to woo Rose and not scare her, but I think a little domination tonight is just what the doctor ordered.Once again, Patty’s diner is hopping with business. I see Benton inside the diner, seated at the closest booth to the private stairwell. He is sitting with his back to the stairs and looking out at the diner patrons and the outside windows. He nods in respect when he sees me and goes back to his guard.Ike is at the stairs. When I move to open the door, he stops me.“Sir, we need to talk.”“What happened?” I immediately know by his tone that something is off.“When L

ROSE “I want you and Maddie to move in with me.” I really don’t know what to say. I can’t say I’m upset or disappointed. Because I’m not. My heart is pounding and telling me to say yes. Every cell within me wants to be near Tyson, at all times. But my head is not 100% there yet. How can I move in with him already? I’ve never even seen his house, and by his own admissions, it’s a mansion. I don’t belong living in a mansion. I barely belong living above the diner. I open my mouth several times to say something, anything, but I have no idea where to start. “It’s okay, Rose. You don’t have to answer right now. I just…I want you to know where I stand. I want you with me, permanently. I know you just moved in with Patty, but I want you in my house. In my bed. Cooking dinner in my kitchen. Watching TV in my living room. Bathing in my bathroom. I am so incredibly happy with you Rose. I am all in on this. I want to start our life. I know it may seem sudden and too early, but I’m ready, when

ROSEAfter lunch with Patty, I just sit on the couch and contemplate my current life situations. I don’t know what to do about Tyson’s declaration of shared living arrangements. I’m not going to make any decisions on that before I see his home and meet the rest of the people that he surrounds himself with. So, I decide to put that in a corner, for now. I’ll circle back around when I’m ready.I know that Tyson paid for Maddie’s next semester at Zeus so that is taken care of. I don’t have to worry about how I am going to pay her tuition for next semester when this one is almost up. I like that I don’t have to worry about it, but that makes me feel uneasy. He paid so much money for her. A child who isn’t his. I know he doesn’t understand my hesitancy on that or the unease it also gives me. Yes, I know he has money, but I don’t ever want him to think that I am just here for his money. I don’t want to come off as a gold-digging whore.Something tells me he’s had to deal with plenty of wome

ROSEI step into the shower and think over all he has said. When Maddie started at Zeus, I thought the tuition was high, but manageable with my Evans Enterprises job. It has gone up significantly every single semester she’s been there. I have also noticed that the class sizes have gotten smaller because so many parents couldn’t keep paying a larger and larger tuition. It makes sense that there are illegal activities taking place, but I never really focused on it because I was so wrapped up in my own life and how I make ends meet. Tyson pulls me from my thoughts by wrapping his arms around my waist.I can feel his apprehension about having possibly upset me, so I turn and kiss him soundly before I settle into his embrace, my cheek on his chest. I don’t look up as I speak, I close my eyes and take in the peaceful calmness I feel when I’m touching Tyson.“I know it isn’t the desired answer you were hoping I’d have from your offer. But Tyson, if I don’t work, it makes me feel… I dunno, sl