My pulse skyrockets, and my mouth turns dry. I slowly glare at Riggs, snarling, "A leash? Like I'm a dog?"
His lips twitch. "A dog, no. My pet, yes."
I look away.
He moves my chin so I can't ignore him. "You don't want to be my pet?"
I snap, "Did Flower get a watering can?"
Riggs chuckles, which only infuriates me further. He answers, "No. She got a leash too."
"Well, at least you know how to make a girl feel special," I seethe.
His amusement doesn't falter. He takes it out of the box, unwinds it, and snaps it on my collar. He states, "All auctioned subs will have one tonight. It's a rule, but so you know, you're my only pet."
More anger rolls through me. "What does that even mean, Riggs?"
He wraps the leash around his fist until there's no slack. He tugs so my face moves closer to his, and he says, "It means every sub I have, I give a name to that no one else has ever had. So you know, flowers quickly wither and die. Brats I easily get bored with, and stars eventually fade into the morning sky. And I can go on and on about all the reasons no one was ever my pet until you."
I hold my breath and tilt my head, almost scared to ask, "Why me?"
He glances at my lips, then drags his knuckles from his leash-wrapped fist over my jaw, answering, "Pets are a responsibility. You can't just play with them and run. You must choose wisely, so you pick the one you can't get out of your head, the one you can't walk away from."
Silence grows between us. Like always, Riggs confuses me.
He picks up a lock of my hair and confesses, "I always loved you as a blonde."
I blurt out, "And I don't look like Aria anymore."
He freezes.
My pulse beats loudly between my ears.
"It was only for training. Stop comparing yourself. There's no comparison," he declares.
I stay quiet.
He declares, "It's time to go." He steps back, unwinds the leash, then guides me out of the house and into the SUV.
The divider window is up. The SUV pulls through the gates, and Riggs slides his hand between my thighs.
He leans into my ear. "Let's test how ready you are for tonight."
I arch my eyebrows.
He slides me onto his lap, and I reach for him, but he stops me, asserting, "Rule seven must be obeyed at all times tonight, pet."
"It's a stupid rule," I state.
His lips twitch. "It's not your call." He orders, "Palms flat on the ceiling."
I obey, and he slides his hands over my arms. Tingles burst under his touch. I struggle to keep my hands where they are, and he moves to my breasts, rolling his thumbs over my nipples until they're rock hard and I'm whimpering.
His hot breath hits my neck. He murmurs, "I can already smell your arousal, pet."
Flames burst onto my cheeks.
He chuckles and asks, "What do you want right now, pet?"