“You’re perfect,” he says quietly. “So fucking beautiful. Look at you. Destroyed and loving every minute of it. Are you at your lowest yet, Pearce? I want to get you there and bring you back out, still dripping and begging for more.”
I shake my head, dizzy and spinning. I adjust myself, get my panties back into position, pull down my skirt, and stand to use a tissue. I wipe my mouth, but not before swirling a finger around my lips and sucking it clean. That makes his face tighten and I catch a myriad of emotions flicker across his lips. I love watching that happen and a thrill runs down into my core.
I can make the Ice King feel something. Maybe it’s only brief, and maybe it takes a lot to get him there, but god, he can feel.
And it’s because of me.
I take a deep breath and a sudden conviction comes over me. I’ve been so passive all these years, doing whatever I’m told. I got bullied into an arranged marriage by my father, went to the university he wanted me to attend, took the job he managed to procure, did everything he wanted and now I feel like I’m finally tasting a bit of freedom. I’m beginning to figure out what I want, and that’s as exciting as the way Ansell makes me feel.
I turn to him and meet his gaze.
“I want to work with Pride. No waiting period. No lying low.”
His eyes widen. Another emotion: surprise. But it quickly fades. “You’re trying to use our sexual relationship to negotiate.”
“I have a feeling you’re in a good mood right now.”
“Devious, Pearce. I thought you didn’t want people to think you were fucking the boss just to get ahead.”
“I don’t and I’m not, but screw you, okay?” I ball my hands into fists. I have to keep going. I have to become my own person. “Pride is my band. I’m not sitting idly by while you and Baptist manage them.”
I cross my arms, glaring at him. I hadn’t planned on this at all, but now that it’s happening, I want to make the best of it. Pride is my baby, they’re my band, and if using his good mood against him is how I’ll stay in control of their destiny then that’s what I’ll do.
I genuinely care about what happens to them. Baptist and Ansell don’t. This is the right thing for everyone, and I need Ansell to see it. Maybe choosing this moment to speak up seems manipulative, but I doubt I could manipulate the Ice King into doing anything.
“Should I feel used, Pearce?” He tilts his head. “Did you let me tongue-fuck your soaking wet pussy just so you can get this out of me?”
“I don’t think you’d give me what I want no matter how much you enjoyed getting me off. It’s not about that, it’s about taking what I want for the first time in my life.” My cheeks are bright red. I can’t believe I just said that but another barrage of emotions overtakes his face and I get the sense that he liked it.
“You’re a very bad girl,” he purrs softly. “You shouldn’t test me like this. You won’t like what I do.”
“Maybe I will. Give me Pride and let’s find out.”
He watches me carefully, not moving, the moment suspended in the air, before he finally nods. “I’ll give you a chance.”
I let out a breath. “I promise, you won’t—”
“But I’m going to be there with you every step, at least until the Crawford situation is resolved.”
I hesitate, not sure how I feel about having the Ice King shadowing me, especially knowing that he takes real pleasure in torturing me, but I nod once. “I can do that.”
“Good. Then it’s settled. Congratulations, Pearce. You’re the manager of Pride. Don’t fuck it up.” He walks toward me and holds out a hand.
I take it and shake once, but he pulls me close to him, his other hand coming up to grab my hair. He pulls it tight and I gasp in surprise and pain as he crushes my palm and nearly rips the hair from my scalp.
“Don’t ever use your body against me again,” he says and bites my lower lip. “If you do, I swear, Pearce, I’ll make my punishment hurt.”
“Promise?”
He tightens his grip and I whimper. I’m not sure why I keep pushing him but I feel like nobody’s ever tried to call his bluff or see what his limits are before. I’m afraid of going past those limits and finding out what kind of monster he’s hiding deep down inside, but I also get the sense he wants that.
He wants me to discover him hiding down below that frozen lake.
“Go back to work,” he says, releasing me. “Don’t change your panties. I want you to sit in your wet and ruined underwear thinking about me. When the day’s over, I’ll come get you.”