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yelled. Sheesh. Calm down, Claire. “I mean, that’s okay. I’m taking Nyquil. It’ll knock me out for the night. I bet I’m feeling right as rain tomorrow.”
    “I hope so,” he said. “I only have you for two more days. I will miss you, Claire.”
    “Your new assistant will be everything you need.”
    “No, she won’t,” he said softly. “Because she won’t be you.”

Chapter 4
     
    LUCIOUS ENDED THE call and tossed the cell phone to Mac. He took off the black leather mask and combed his fingers through his hair. In the dungeon, everyone was packing up gear, clothing, and props. The models had already left.
    He had just finished telling Mac what had transpired at the auction when Claire called and lied her ass off about not feeling well. He smiled. She had never taken a sick day in the two years she’d worked for him. And she had never lied.
    She must really want to be with her mystery man. Lucius frowned. It rankled that she would consider sex games with a complete stranger, but hadn’t shown an iota of sexual interest in him. In fact, she went out of her way to behave as if she didn’t find him at all attractive.
    “You’re a cruel one,” said Mac without rancor. “Teasin’ our Claire that way.”
    “I needed to find out if she was going to show up tonight. Y’know, I think I’m jealous of myself. Or rather, I’m jealous of the man Claire thinks I am.”
    “Just tell her you want her more’n you wanted anyone ever, and drop this whole charade.” Mac shook his head. “You’re playin’ a dangerous game, mate.”
    “I know that,” said Lucius irritably. After buying Claire, he had planned to walk away. He’d been positive she had no interest in being a slave to anyone. She was an excellent assistant and accomplished every task given to her, but she wasn’t one to shut her mouth if she thought he was fucking up.
    To his shock, she had been genuinely intrigued by a D/s relationship. And he sure as hell hadn’t counted on finding out that some asshole had already tried to dominate her—and had managed to hurt her deeply.
    “If I told Claire how I feel, she would think that I just wanted to fuck her,” said Lucius. “She would not only say no, she would kick me in the balls and hit me in the face with her day planner.”
    “That planner of hers would knock your teeth out,” said Mac. “Still, you might be better off goin’ the honest route. If’n she finds out you’re her new Master, there won’t be enough pieces left of you for a proper funeral.”
    “Not enough for an open casket,” agreed Lucius. He looked at the hood he’d worn. It was hot and uncomfortable, but he had one in his room that he could use tonight.
    Tonight. His dick was already hardening at the mere idea of Claire submitting to him. He could peel aside all those prickly layers and find her vulnerabilities. Given enough time, he could awaken her to new pleasures and help her conquer her fears. A night with Claire wouldn’t be enough—but it was all he had.
    Mac was right. Lucius was playing a dangerous game with Claire. But if things turned out right, they’d both get what they wanted.
    He was assuming that Claire actually wanted him. They could be so much more to each other if she would only reach out to him. Why don’t you trust me, Claire? Why don’t you trust anyone?
    He meant to find out. Now that the game was started, he would finish it. Even if Claire wanted out afterward, at least he would give her one gift. When he was done, she would know exactly what she wanted and how to get it.
    In submitting to him, she would banish her demons and find pleasure in serving her Master.
     
    THE HOTEL BAR was called Enchained. Claire had gone to three different stores to find the red dress and high heels. Luckily, the hotel had no shortage of clothing stores.
    In her job, she wore muted colors: tans and creams, browns and blacks. She owned several “little black dresses,” but not a single item in her wardrobe