Mara . . Two weeks had passed since I returned to Lucian’s mansion. Two weeks of intensity. Of being used. Of being desired. Most nights were filled with his touch. His voice. His control. His damn playroom. I never knew I could be the kind of woman who'd let a man like him use her like that… but here I was. Still here. Still crawling back for more. Sometimes, I’d talk to Karen at night. She’d ask how I was holding up, and I’d lie...tell her I was fine. That I missed her. That I was taking care of myself. But the truth? I missed her, yes, but I was also drowning in Lucian. His presence. His darkness. His s*x. This Saturday morning, I was cleaning the lounge where Lucian usually entertained his guests. He told me someone was coming over and he wanted everything spotless. I thought no

