Sorry I haven't replied to reviews for the last chapter, I'm just about to rush out the door for work so will do them when I get home.


Chapter Eleven.

Rose POV.


There's nothing worse than waiting.

He knows I hate it, that I can't stand the anticipation of not knowing what's coming, and that's exactly why he does it.

It's just another way for him to prove that he owns me, that he controls everything I do.

I pace around the room and wring my hands together. Then I sit down on the bed, but my knees bobble up and down. I hum. I try to daydream. I imagine how different my life could have been. I sigh.

And then I pace again.

When I press against the wall again, I'm met by silence.


Chapter Twelve.

Adrian POV.


Warm hands trace down my back, and I sigh involuntarily as he kisses my shoulder lightly and then runs his fingers through my hair.

"I have a client coming over in a few hours," he pauses, and dread starts to build in my stomach. "It's an important poker game. I don't think you realise just how important." There's an undercurrent of worry in his voice and my hackles rise even further as the soft moment is brought to a harsh close with his words. "Your clothes are on the chair. In ten minutes I want you in the room three doors to the right. I need you to look the part, but don't get dressed… yet."

My voice trembles and stutters. "Why, sir?"

Wham.

I was expecting to be hit for speaking out of turn, so I don't make a sound when his closed fist slams into my stomach, temporarily winding me.

"Because you're the prize."


Chapter Thirteen.

Rose POV.


My blood turns to ice as he circles me slowly, his hair shining and glinting underneath the lights above us.

He looks like an angel - tidy, blonde hair, bright blue eyes, angular features that are softened by the light creases around his mouth, a lean, muscular body that's hidden away behind a navy blue business suit.

In reality, he's a devil. A cold, calculating, ruthless monster.

He circles me once more, and then stops, his lips pursed in silent contemplation. He smiles, but there's no warmth and my hopes are dashed again.

When he speaks his voice stings like a whip.

"Get on the bed."


Chapter Fourteen.

Adrian POV.


I'm curled up on the bed, in the foetal position as I slowly breathe in, and then out again, concentrating solely on the air moving in and out of my lungs.

Tears well up in my eyes and slip down my cheeks soundlessly as I hug my knees to my chest, a slight whimper escaping as my thighs press against the tender bruise from the blow to my abdomen.

This always happens.

He treats me like shit, then we have one sweet moment, and it's like how things were when we first became involved… and then once he's done fucking me I'm dropped like a hot potato.


You get a little break now. Next update in about nine hours, when I get home from work.