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Julie leaned forward "Don’t hold back on our account, Se rena"

"But you rode with me," Serena protested "I can’t leave you here"

"I’d be happy to give your friend a ride home," Damon said "I’ll have someone take your car to your apartment, if that’s okay with you, and I’ll run you home later"

Julie leaned back and stared at Daaze to Serena "Okay, forget everything I said about a take-chargeit very attractive all of a sudden"

Da

"Do you have a proble you hoo I hate to run out on you guys"

"We can always have dinner another time," Damon interjected "Or Faith and Julie are welco over there, so I rather doubt he’s going to be thrilled with the idea of eous women"

"Oh, I like him," Julie breathed She blinked and seeo on ahead Gray has pro me home"

"Are you sure?" Serena asked

"It’s no trouble to take you home," Damon assured

Julie smiled "I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure you two have plenty of stuff to talk about You know, like auctions, slave collars, chains"

Serena closed her eyes and prayed for deliverance, but Dao," Serena muttered "Before I kill her"

CHAPTER 10

Serena stepped into the parking lot with Dahtly at the small of her back She purposely kept stride with him so his hand wouldn’t slide away

Dusk had fallen, and a faint evening breeze blew through her hair It was less huht, and the sounds of the city surrounded them

After Daot into the driver’s seat Instead of keying the ignition, he pulled out his cell phone, and she listened as he directed his driver to meet them at the restaurant to collect her car keys

"Saht after I’ve dropped you back hoive the keys to you I’llhim"

Serena laid a hand on Danition "You didn’t have to do this, Daet my car after we’ve eaten"

He started the car and then reached out to touch her cheek "It’s no trouble at all, Serena Better get used tocare of you, because I assure you, while you areto your every need"

Her throat seized, and a thousand butterflies took wing in her sto, so beautiful Not at all like the stark ioing to like it," she said softly

"I intend that you will"

As he drove out of the parking lot, he reached over and slid his hand over hers His thuers as heyou," he said as he saw her staring at his hand "You have infinitely touchable skin"

"I don’tI like thelow cast back by nuhts "Soon you will feel me on every part of your body, Serena Are you prepared for that? Do you lie awake at night and think of hs?"

Her senses cale scurried fro her nipples into taut points

"Yes," she whispered

"I find ht you out tonight I wanted to tell you that the arrangements for the auction have been rip on her hand as if to soothe her

"We need to talk about what happens afterward," she said

"Yes, we do I’d like a here I have you completely and wholly to myself You mentioned a month’s time frame for your fantasy, and I realize you can’t take the entire e to have a week off directly after the auction?"

She licked her lips and found herself clutching at his hand "I’o back to work?"

He so to work just like any other day But at the end of your work day, you return to "

"And when I have obligations outside work?"

"You will, of course, keep them I’m not a monster, Serena All I ask is that when you’re with me, your tiree to your terms"

"They’re your ter your deepest desires"

"Yes, I know And thank you I think"

She smiled as her voice came out all quivery He sly "Give me a chance to make you happy, Serena"