Chapter Three
1426 Words
The room shifted the moment Dominic Blackwood entered.
Sophia could feel it in the air—a subtle tightening, a hush of breathless expectation, as though the very walls recognized the arrival of power.
He crossed the boardroom with measured, predatory steps, his black suit cutting a ruthless silhouette against the golden wash of morning sun. His eyes, so dark they were almost black, flicked over the gathering of executives and board members without an ounce of deference.
Sophia barely dared to breathe as she stood near the wall, clutching her notepad. She was supposed to be invisible. She wanted to be invisible. Yet when Dominic’s gaze landed on her, her entire body stiffened, a flush creeping up her neck.
He held her eyes for a single, searing heartbeat.
And in that instant, Sophia understood something primitive and terrifying: Dominic Blackwood didn’t just look at people. He claimed them.
A shiver skittered down her spine, leaving her breathless.
He didn’t smile. Didn’t nod. But the message was clear.
I see you.
I own you.
Then he turned, addressing the room with the cool, commanding authority of a man who expected obedience without question.
“Let’s begin.”
Sophia forced herself into motion, moving to a discreet corner where she could take notes without drawing attention. But even as she scribbled diligently, her mind wasn’t entirely on the meeting.
It was on him.
The way he leaned back in his chair, legs spread slightly apart in a posture of absolute dominance. The way he spoke—calm, precise, every word sharp enough to cut. The way even the senior partners deferred to him, their voices tinged with nervous respect.
Dominic Blackwood wasn’t just rich.
He was dangerous.
And Sophia? She was caught in his gravity, helpless to resist.
The meeting dragged on for over an hour, discussing mergers, acquisitions, strategies Sophia barely understood. Normally she would have been bored, struggling to stay awake. But today, every minute was a battlefield, a fight to stay focused as Dominic’s presence battered her defenses.
Once or twice, she caught him glancing her way, those obsidian eyes giving away nothing and everything all at once.
By the time the meeting ended, Sophia’s nerves were frayed raw.
The executives filtered out, murmuring amongst themselves, casting careful glances at Dominic. None of them dared approach him directly.
Sophia lingered uncertainly, not sure if she was supposed to leave or stay.
Dominic closed the folder in front of him and straightened.
His gaze pinned her to the spot.
“Come here.”
Two simple words, but they might as well have been iron shackles.
Sophia’s feet moved on their own. She approached him cautiously, heart hammering against her ribs.
When she reached his side, he stood slowly, towering over her. The air between them crackled with tension.
“You did well,” he said quietly.
Sophia swallowed. “Thank you, Mr. Blackwood.”
A shadow of a smile touched his mouth. Not warm. Not kind. Predatory.
“I find that I like obedience in a woman.”
The blood drained from Sophia’s face even as a strange heat bloomed low in her belly. She dropped her gaze to the floor, unable to meet his piercing eyes.
Dominic chuckled—a low, dark sound that sent a thrill through her.
“Good,” he murmured. “You know your place.”
He moved closer. Too close. Sophia could smell the leather and spice of his cologne, feel the heat of his body.
“You’ll come to my office after lunch,” he said. “We have more to discuss.”
Sophia nodded, pulse thrumming painfully in her throat.
Dominic’s fingers brushed her chin, tilting her face up to his once more.
“I expect punctuality, Sophia. And I expect submission.”
The world narrowed to nothing but his eyes—those dark, merciless eyes.
“Yes, Mr. Blackwood,” she whispered, trembling.
Satisfied, he released her and strode from the room, leaving her trembling in his wake.
The hours until lunch crawled by.
Sophia tried to work—answering emails, sorting files—but she couldn’t focus. Her entire body was wound tight, vibrating with anticipation and fear.
At precisely 1:00 p.m., she made her way to the top floor where Dominic’s private office was located.
The executive suite was a world apart from the rest of the firm—silent, luxurious, intimidating. Marble floors gleamed underfoot, and abstract art lined the walls.
Sophia approached Dominic’s door, heart slamming against her ribs.
She hesitated.
Then, gathering every ounce of courage, she knocked.
“Enter,” came the deep command from within.
She stepped inside.
Dominic sat behind a massive desk, reviewing a document. He didn’t look up right away, and Sophia took the opportunity to study him—the way his sleeves were rolled to reveal strong forearms, the dark stubble dusting his jaw, the sheer, overwhelming force of him.
Finally, he set the paper aside and fixed her with a piercing gaze.
“Lock the door.”
Sophia’s breath hitched.
But she obeyed, turning the lock with a soft click.
When she faced him again, Dominic had risen from his chair. He stalked toward her, each step slow, deliberate, predatory.
Sophia backed up instinctively until her back hit the door.
Dominic stopped a foot away, so close she could feel the heat of him.
“I think we need to set some ground rules,” he murmured, voice like velvet over steel.
Sophia nodded mutely.
He reached out, trailing a finger down her cheek, over the trembling line of her jaw.
“You belong to me now, Sophia. Professionally. Personally.”
Her knees nearly buckled.
“You’ll obey me without question. You’ll trust me to know what you need.”
She whimpered softly, overwhelmed by the intensity of him.
“And in return,” he continued, voice dipping lower, “I’ll give you pleasure beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.”
Sophia’s heart stuttered. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Dominic smiled slightly.
“You’re scared.”
She nodded.
“Good. Fear keeps things interesting.”
His hand slid lower, tracing the line of her throat.
“You have no idea how beautiful you are when you’re trembling for me,” he said.
Sophia shivered violently.
Dominic leaned in, his mouth brushing the shell of her ear.
“Say it, Sophia. Say you’ll obey.”
For a long, breathless moment, she fought herself.
Fought the terror, the need, the dizzying hunger.
And then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she gave him what he wanted.
“I’ll obey, Mr. Blackwood.”
The satisfaction in his low growl sent shockwaves through her.
Without warning, he captured her wrists in one strong hand, pinning them above her head against the door. Sophia gasped, her body arching helplessly toward him.
Dominic’s mouth hovered just above hers, his breath warm and intoxicating.
“You have no idea what you’ve just agreed to, little one,” he murmured.
And then he kissed her.
Not a soft kiss. Not a tender one.
A brutal, claiming kiss that left her gasping, moaning against his mouth.
Sophia melted against him, her entire body surrendering to his touch.
Dominic kissed like he did everything else—with total domination. His hands roamed her body possessively, tracing her curves, memorizing her shape.
When he finally broke the kiss, they were both breathing hard.
“This is just the beginning,” he said, voice rough with promise.
Sophia could only nod, dazed and aching for more.
Dominic released her wrists but didn’t step back. Instead, he cupped her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze.
“You’re mine now, Sophia. Every part of you.”
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes—not from fear, but from the overwhelming intensity of it all.
Dominic brushed his thumb over her lower lip, his touch surprisingly gentle.
“Don’t be afraid,” he murmured. “I’ll never hurt you. But I will own you.”
And somehow, in that moment, Sophia realized that was exactly what terrified her most.
Because some deep, secret part of her wanted to be owned by him.
To belong to him completely.
Dominic leaned in again, kissing the corner of her mouth, her jaw, the pulse racing at her throat.
“Soon, little one,” he whispered. “Soon you’ll beg for more.”
And Sophia, trembling and breathless, knew he was right.
She was already half his.
The rest of her wouldn’t take much longer to claim.
- Writer
