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bed?”
    It shocked Richard how much he still wanted his fiery little pet. Not just in his bed, but in his life, with his ring on her finger and his collar around her neck. Even after she had rejected him, she was still the only woman he wanted. She was the only woman he could even think about.
    “Do you want to complete this deal with Argonaut?”
    Richard nodded his head, grateful for the much easier question. “You know I do.”
    “Then you’ve got to convince that sweetie to accept your proposal. You’ve got to offer her more. You’ve got to give her a reason to stay.”
    Richard stared into the black depths of his coffee. What more did he have to offer her? He’d already given her his dominance. He’d offered her plenty of pleasure over the years. He’d told her he’d take care of her, he’d make sure she was comfortable. Besides money, what did he have to offer?
    “Like what?”
    Dante rolled his eyes. “Think about it real hard, Rick. It’s one word, four letters, starts with an L.”
    Love . Richard shook his head, sure he must have misunderstood. “Why would I tell her that?”
    “Because it’s true, moron.” Dante rubbed his temples, letting out an exasperated groan. “And she deserves to know it.”
    Could it really be that simple? Was that all she wanted to hear? If that was all she needed… His heart pounded harder at the idea, yet it didn’t bother him the way he would have guessed. He rolled the notion over in his mind, trying to find a reason to deny it, to throw the thought aside, but couldn’t come up with one. It felt calm, true, right.
    He cast a glance up at his best friend. A new lightness filled him. “Do you have any contacts in the area? I have something special I need to buy. I need to show a little pet exactly who her owner is.”
    Dante smiled. “I think I know who to call.”
     
    * * * *
     
    “Ms Carter, may I speak to you?”
    Serena turned to find Richard standing before her. Even after all he’d done, even after all he’d said to her last night, even after the long, lonely night she’d spent in her room wishing she were with him, a shiver still skated down her spine at the sound of his voice in her ear. Damn traitorous body !
    “I was just heading over to the mixer, Mr Barrett.” She motioned towards the ballroom filled with already drunk co-workers. “I can meet up with you then.” And maybe if she got lucky she’d lose him in the crowd. She wasn’t interested in talking to him period, least of all about work.
    His eyes held that dangerous gleam that had been a precursor to so much pleasure in the past. Her body sagged beneath his intense stare.
    He stepped closer and her nipples beaded. How long would it take for her body to stop responding to him this way? For her heart to forget the Master he’d once been to her, and remember he was now just a man. A man who didn’t understand or respect the real her.
    “I’d prefer to have this conversation in private, Serena.”
    The way he spoke her name, so much like the way he used to whisper to her late at night, brought tears to her eyes. She’d never thought she’d hear him speaking so lovingly to her again.
    Richard grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the common area and ushering her into a smaller room off the main hallway. Away from the prying eyes of the company, the threat of tears intensified. Serena sniffled, trying to keep them back, desperate to hold onto what remained of her dignity.
    Richard pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. His rich male scent overwhelmed her senses, so familiar and comforting that all she wanted was to curl into him. But as much as she wanted to, she couldn’t give in to the urge. Not anymore.
    “What’s wrong, pet?” His breath whispered across her cheek. His hand wrapped around her nape, offering more comfort than she realised one touch could.
    “I’m not your pet anymore.” She tried to pull from his hold, the tears falling freely down her cheeks, but