Tantalizing His Obsession

Chapter 8 Tightening the Reins

On Tuesday morning, I always start work later, so I take advantage of the extra time to work out with Bria. Bria is a part time pole dance teacher at Goddess Fitness Studio, and she’s absolutely amazing at what she does. Ashley, my boss, is kind enough to let me use the company vehicle so I can head to my workout and then straight to work afterward.

I put on a black sports bra and small, tight black shorts. When you do pole dancing, you need more skin contact with the pole to prevent sliding. If you wear too many clothes, you can't grip the pole as easily. I pack my scrubs for work in my gym bag, grab my water bottle, and head out.

The walk to the office is brisk, the morning air cool and refreshing. I pass by a few familiar faces on the way, exchanging polite nods and smiles. The city is already bustling with activity, and the energy is contagious. I reach the office, grab the van keys from Ashley, and head to Goddess Fitness Studio.

Goddess Fitness Studio is housed in a sleek, modern building with large glass windows that let in plenty of natural light. The exterior is adorned with a chic sign in gold letters that read "Goddess Fitness Studio," giving it a touch of elegance. Inside, the studio is just as impressive, with mirrored walls, polished wooden floors, and a variety of equipment neatly arranged around the spacious room. The air is filled with the scent of lavender, creating a calming atmosphere.

When I walk in, I see Bria at the front of the class, her confidence radiating like a beacon. She’s chatting with a few of the women, her laughter echoing through the room. Bria spots me and waves enthusiastically.

“Hey, Pheebs! Ready to get your groove on?” she calls out with a grin.

“Always!” I reply, feeling a surge of excitement.

Bria turns on "Ride It" by DJ Regard, and the music pulses through the room. We all start to follow her routine, moving to the beat. The music is infectious, and I can’t help but get lost in the rhythm. Bria’s routine is both challenging and empowering, a perfect blend of strength and sensuality. As I move through the exercises, I feel my muscles working, my body becoming more attuned to the pole.

The studio is filled with women at different levels of skill, all focused and determined. The atmosphere is supportive and encouraging, making it easy to push myself a little further each time. The mirrored walls reflect our movements, allowing us to see our progress and form.

Bria’s voice cuts through the music, offering tips and encouragement. “That’s it, ladies! Keep those core muscles engaged! Feel the power!”

I catch Bria’s eye, and she gives me a thumbs-up, filling me with pride. This class has done wonders for my confidence. While it's still not as high as Bria’s, it’s definitely higher than it was before. I owe her so much for pushing me to join.

After the class, I feel invigorated and ready to tackle the day. I head to the locker room, which is just as stylish as the rest of the studio, with sleek lockers and comfortable seating areas. I take a quick shower then I change into my scrubs, stuffing my workout clothes back into my gym bag. As I head out, Bria catches up with me.

“Hey, great job today! You were amazing!” she says, giving me a hug.

“Thanks, B. I couldn’t have done it without you,” I reply, hugging her back.

“Well, you’re doing it now. Just keep it up, and you’ll be teaching your own class before you know it,” she teases.

I laugh. “Yeah, right. I’ll leave the teaching to you, superstar.”

We part ways, and I get back into the van, the good mood from the workout lingering. As I drive to the Yates house, I feel a mix of excitement and nerves. Today is going to be interesting, to say the least.

Lazarus

I get a call very early in the morning. It’s Matteo. I answer, still partially asleep. “What is it?” I bark, annoyed.

“Boss, Phoebe left her apartment, and she’s barely wearing any clothes.”

I sit up in bed, my heart racing. “What the f**k? Follow her now!” I command.

“Yes, boss.” Matteo’s voice is tense. “She just got into her work van.”

The thought of Phoebe wearing barely any clothes makes my blood boil. What the hell is she doing?

“She pulled into a gym called Goddess Fitness Studio,” Matteo continues.

“Find out what she’s doing now!” I snap.

“Let me see if I can look through any of the windows. It’s a women’s-only gym,” Matteo says.

There’s a pause, and my patience wears thin. “Matteo, are you there?” I growl.

“Yeah, I’m here, boss. Did you know she does pole dancing?”

I jump out of bed, my mind racing with anger and confusion. “Which club is she at? I’m pulling her out of there right now!”

Matteo laughs nervously. “No, boss. She’s not performing at some club. She’s working out. It’s a pole dancing class.”

I sit back down on the edge of my bed, my anger simmering. “Oh, thank god. Then I realized I forgot she did those classes and that s**t is going to stop.” I mutter.

“She’s actually pretty good at it, boss,” Matteo adds, almost admiringly.

That pushes me over the edge. “Matteo, just get back in your car and stop watching her. I swear to god, if any of my staff touch her or hit on her, I will put a bullet through their skull.”

“Boss, I get it. Sorry, man. Sorry,” Matteo stammers.

I hang up the phone, my hands trembling with rage. The thought of Phoebe in that gym, moving her body for everyone to see, makes me see red. She’s mine, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone else even think about touching her.

I storm through my morning routine, my thoughts consumed with Phoebe. How dare she do something like that? The possessiveness I feel for her is overwhelming, and I know I need to get control of the situation. She needs to understand who she belongs to. She’s going to learn that she’s mine, whether she likes it or not.

Phoebe

When I arrive at the Yates house, the security guards let me in with a nod, and I park the van. As I walk up to the door, I can’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety, hoping today will be uneventful with Lazarus. I ring the doorbell, and, as expected, Lazarus opens the door. His face is a mix of anger and something else I can’t quite place.

“Good morning, Ms. Daniels,” he says, his voice tight.

“Morning,” I reply curtly, brushing past him. I can feel his eyes burning into my back as I head straight to Mrs. Yates’ room.

When I enter, she’s sitting up, watching her morning dramas. “Good morning, Mrs. Yates. Ready for another day?” I ask with a smile.

She smiles. “Yes, Phoebe, I would love that.”

The rest of the day moves rather quickly. I manage to get her to eat, and we even play a card game. Halfway through, she forgets we are playing, and I discreetly put the cards aside to avoid embarrassing her. Towards the end of the day, I take her dirty dishes to the kitchen so I can leave.

As I head out, Lazarus corners me in the hallway, his face a mask of barely contained fury.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Phoebe?” he hisses.

“What are you talking about?” I snap back, feeling my own anger rising.

“Pole dancing? Are you out of your mind? Do you know how dangerous that is?”

“Dangerous?” I scoff. “It’s a workout, Lazarus. It’s good for me.”

“It’s not just a workout,” he growls. “You’re putting yourself on display for everyone to see. I won’t have it.”

“You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do,” I retort, my voice trembling with anger. “I’m not yours to control.”

“Oh, but you are,” he says, stepping closer, his eyes dark and dangerous. “You just don’t realize it yet.”

I stare right in his eyes, “Are you f*****g spying on me? He does not answer, just looks away. I push past him, my heart pounding. “Stay away from me, Lazarus,” I warn. “I’m here to take care of your mother, not to be your plaything.”

As I walk away, I can feel his eyes burning into my back. I know this isn’t over. Lazarus Yates is a force to be reckoned with, and he’s not going to let this go easily. But I’m not backing down either. This is my life, and I’ll live it on my terms.

Lazarus

I watch Phoebe walk away, her defiance only fueling my anger. How dare she dismiss me like that? How dare she think she can just waltz into my life and ignore the fact that she belongs to me?

I storm back to my office, slamming the door behind me. I pace the room, my mind racing. This girl is driving me insane. I can't stand the thought of her flaunting herself in that gym, pole dancing for God knows who. The possessiveness I feel is overwhelming, and I need to get control of the situation.

I pick up my phone and call Matteo. “I need you to keep an even closer eye on Phoebe,” I bark into the phone. “I don’t want her out of your sight. Understand?”

“Yes, boss,” Matteo replies, sounding cautious.

“And make sure no one else gets close to her. She’s mine,” I add, my voice low and dangerous.

“Got it, boss,” Matteo responds.

I hang up, still seething. Phoebe is going to learn that she can't just do whatever she wants. She needs to understand that she’s mine, and I won’t tolerate anyone else touching her or even looking at her.