Savage Book 3

“Sage, you’ve been downing those mimosas like there’s no tomorrow,” Ronnie said, concerned. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

I needed to tell Ronnie what had really gone down with Julius. I wasn’t honest before, because I was scared she’d judge me for letting Julius get so close.

It had definitely fallen by the wayside over the past month. But it wasn’t just me. Something was off with him, too, but I hadn’t been attentive enough to really find out what was going on with him.

I just hoped I wasn’t too late.

“I need to explain about Julius,” I said, taking a deep breath.

“Oh God, please tell me you didn’t sleep with him,” Ronnie said, her eyes widening.

“No, but last night he made a move. He got me alone in one of the galleries and…” My words trailed off.

“But you removed yourself from the situation, right?” Ronnie asked.

I slowly nodded my head. “Then you did the right thing,” she said immediately. “Sage, you have nothing to feel guilty about.”

“Don’t I, though?” I asked rhetorically. “I let him get that close in the first place.”

“Sage, a man like that isn’t concerned about boundaries. You could’ve constructed the Great Wall of China around yourself, and he still would’ve found a way to scale it.”

Ronnie’s words made me laugh and, admittedly, made me feel better.

“Don't blame yourself for getting taken advantage of,” she said sternly. “He’s your colleague, and he crossed a line.”

“Roman wouldn’t see it that way,” I said, sadly.

“Then he needs some fucking glasses,” Ronnie retorted. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to him.”

“And he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I said. “I just feel like I’m losing Roman, and I don’t know how to reel him back in. He’s drifting further and further away.”

“Then tell him that!” Ronnie said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

She was right. I needed to tell Roman all of this.

“You think Jav loves that I have to disappear for a weekend to go to events, or that I’m out until 3 a.m. for some work party? No, he doesn’t. But he supports me and my goals anyway.”

“Roman’s just so controlling. I don’t think he’ll understand,” I said, thinking of our contract.

These mimosas were really starting to hit us. But it was her words, not the alcohol, making me feel empowered.

As I walked down the hallway towards my empty hotel suite, I dreaded the idea of bringing up my feelings with Roman. Especially after what happened with Julius. But I knew if I wanted him to respect my career, we needed to have a conversation.

Ronnie was right, this was going to be hard, but I deserved to have a partner who supported my career in the same way I supported his.

Fumbling through my purse for my key card, I heard a commotion in the suite next to mine—Ekko’s and Hannah’s suite.

Raised voices. Then, full-on shouting.

Thumping.

A piercing scream, followed by the sound of glass breaking.

I nervously approached the door, but I didn’t have to knock, because Hannah stumbled out and slammed the door behind her.

She was wearing a bathrobe, and mascara was running down her tear-stained face.

“Hannah…are you okay?” She looked startled to see me and hastily tried to wipe her face with her sleeve.

“Oh! Sage,” she said, forcing a smile, “Hey, girl. Everything is great. Isn’t London amazing?” It was pretty obvious Hannah was trying to play this off like it was nothing.

But I knew the kind of man Ekko was. He hadn’t changed one bit. And he never would.

“Are you sure? You can stay with me if you need to. Roman had to go home early.”

“Oh, no, that’s okay. Everything is good,” Hannah said, trying her hardest to smile. “I’m just...I’m being really needy, you know? Ekko needs some time to himself.”

I nodded politely, unsure of what to do. Part of me wanted to drag her to my room and make her stay. The other part didn’t want to get involved with anything related to Ekko, and that made me feel a bit guilty.

Before I had the chance to make a decision either way, Ekko came out of the room with a smirk plastered across his face.

“Sage,” he droned. “What can we do for you?” I glanced over at Hannah, who wouldn’t meet my eye.

“Nothing. Just checking on Hannah,” I said, glaring at him.

“She's fine.” Ekko’s eyes bored into me, bringing up uncomfortable memories. Memories I’d tried to bury.

“I told her that, Ekko,” Hannah said, meekly. “We’re just chatting.”

Without saying another word, I continued down the hall towards my room. I needed to remove myself from whatever was going on between them.

I wanted to help Hannah, but she had to want to help herself. If she was just going to ignore what kind of a person Ekko was, there was nothing I could do for her.

I felt a tug on my hair. He took a big fistful, pulling my head back and exposing my neck.

He draped a hand around my throat, tickling it lightly with his fingers, before tightening his grip.

As he let go, the air escaped my lungs in a gasp. I tried to turn my head, but he held me there.

My back pressed against his chest. My ass against his bulge.

I was sure he could feel my heart racing, and I tried to calm it. His hands slid up my shirt and moved to my breasts.

As his thumb circled around my nipples, I felt a puddle pooling between my legs.

I moaned a bit, and he nipped at my ear. It wasn’t usually Roman’s style, but it felt good. His cock pressed against my ass, twitching excitedly, dying to escape his pants.

I moved my hand behind me, grasping at his zipper and pulling it down.

A low groan escaped his mouth as I pulled out his cock and stroked it, but before I could make him cum, he threw me onto the bed.

He grabbed a long silk ribbon from the nightstand and tied it around my eyes. It only made my body throb for him more.

He secured my hands behind me with another silk ribbon. It felt cool against my warm skin.

Ripping open my shirt, he slid his tongue between my breasts, stopping at every inch to lick, bite, or suck.

“Please,” I begged, panting from the pleasure. “Just fuck me.”

He flipped me over onto all fours and ran his hand along my ass, slapping it with lust.

Then again—harder this time.

It was sure to leave a mark.

My toes curled, and my fingernails dug into my palms. I heard him moving around to be in front of me, and with no warning, he shoved his cock into my mouth. My head leaned over the edge of the bed, so I could open my throat better to take all of him.

He tasted different. Less like cologne and whiskey and more…earthy.

He pressed further into my mouth, but I refused to choke, taking all of it. He moaned, making me want him more.

With my hands still bound, I pressed against his chest. “Fuck me.”

And this time, I wasn’t asking.

As I felt him slide inside me, I gasped in ecstasy.

“Mhmm, fuck. You feel good, my little muse,” he growled.

I froze in fear. That wasn’t Roman’s voice.

“Julius?!” I pushed myself forward, pulling the blindfold off with my bound hands.

He sat at the end of the bed, smirking at me, one hand holding his dripping cock and the other reaching for me.

I tried to back away, but he just laughed. “Why are you running away? You know you want this, Sage.”

“No…” I murmured.

“You know, Sage…” Julius started crawling towards me like an animal. “I would never make you choose between a relationship and a career. With me, you get two in one. You can have it all.”

I jolted awake, my skin covered in a thin layer of sweat. I looked over, and the bed was empty.

I was still wearing my bra and panties, although I’d definitely be needing to change my panties.

I got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, shedding my underwear along the way.

I turned on the shower and stepped underneath the ice-cold water, trying to wash away the ickiness of my dream.

But, I couldn’t help but think about what Julius had said in my dream. Was it true?

Was I better off with someone who wouldn’t ask me to choose between a relationship and a career?

Or could Roman change?