I hesitated, thinking about the clearly stated instruction to not invite anyone over without permission.

Do I want to go ahead and just break every rule? I can't bring her here without asking Seth if it's okay.

That might be fine, sort of, except if Veronica came to the mansion, she'd have a million questions. I was a little embarrassed just picturing how she'd look at me, what she would assume once she saw where I was living these days.

Plus, the idea of Seth cornering us and making conversation... how Veronica would inspect our interaction, seeing my flustered mood...

No. No way.

Rocking off of the bed, I flexed my toes. "Let's meet up somewhere else."

Dressed in one of the nicer, casual outfits from my temporary closet-a pair of designer jeans and a silk top-I stepped out of the car with Corbin's assistance. As I turned around to look over the small cafe, I saw Veronica gaping at me through the window.

My heels, which I was sure cost more than my monthly rent, clicked across the sidewalk, then the tiled floor of the eatery. I'd tried to find simpler shoes, but Seth didn't really believe in 'simple.'

I hadn't even sat down across from Veronica before she blurted out her first question. "Did you just have someone drive you here? Was that your driver? Do you have a personal driver?"

Laughing with chagrin, I settled into the booth and wagged my hands. "No, no, relax. He's only taking me places while I'm working for Seth."

Veronica lowered her eyebrows, mouth coiling into an amused smirk. "Oho! So, you did take the job, then."

She's right to the point. "I did, yeah, it was a really good opportunity and..."

Lifting her arms, Veronica spread her fingers. "No need to explain. It has to be pretty good if it came with your own chauffeur. What is he having you paint, a whole collection, just for him?"

"More like a wall in his house."

"You mean his sprawling estate mansion?"

She'd caught me off guard. Blushing, I spilled some of the water the waiter had just dropped off. Veronica beamed, reminding me of a big cat on a hunt. "How did you know about where he lives?" I asked.

"I don't know where he lives, he keeps that pretty secret-though I guess you know, right?" When I nodded quickly, she shrugged. "The power of the internet! I just looked him up in a little research. I knew he was rich, but did you know he's an actual billionaire?"

Wincing, I dabbed at the water stains on my shirt. I'd suspected Seth Hart was overwhelmingly rich, but a billionaire?

What do you even do with that much money?

The memory of the softly lit corridor below his home swam through my mind.

I guess you run a super secret sex club.

The waiter came by once more, and we politely ordered our food. Once we were alone again, I began explaining the situation to Veronica.

She didn't smother her emotions, leaning close as I detailed my past few days. I told her about everything; the first phone call, the admission letter, the gigantic contract, even how Seth had given me free reign to paint whatever I wanted.

I kept nothing from her-except the golden door and what lay behind it.

As I finished, Veronica was openly gawking.

"Naomi, this guy... he must really like you, huh?"

"Excuse me?" I dropped my straw in my glass, staring. "What the hell do you mean?"

Veronica rolled her eyes, stirring her ice around idly. "Don't tell me you didn't realize. Why else would he offer you all of this?"

"Because he likes my art," I spat, anger coating my tongue.

But, deep down, she'd hit at the root of my worry. From the start, I'd been suspicious of how Seth had handled me. Even if he liked my art, the way he stood close to me... how he seemed to inhale my existence, or stare through my clothes with his piercing eyes...

If Seth liked me, that opened a new issue.

He doesn't know I'm Opal. Why would he flirt with me, as Naomi, while he was content to touch and tease me down in that dungeon?

The heavy knot in my stomach grew by the second. Was Seth that kind of person? Opal or Naomi, was I just some play thing to him?

Veronica broke through my thoughts. "Don't get me wrong, I like your work, too. But someone doesn't just offer you a driver, and lodging, and access to expensive clothing and what have you just so you'll paint a wall. Do you like him?"

"What!" I fixed my wide eyes on the girl across from me. "Do I what? I don't even... I don't know! I hardly know the guy."

Lies. I know more about him than he realizes.

"He's handsome, right?"

"Maybe," I muttered, thinking about when he had shared the pool with me. Beyond that, I couldn't separate him from Onyx. I'd let him touch me.

I'd sucked his damn cock.

Everything about Seth Hart was incredibly attractive. Flushing, hoping Veronica didn't notice, I took a huge gulp of icy water. It did nothing to cool me down.

Veronica waved her straw side to side. "I did mention he's rich, right? What's the problem? Why haven't you locked that down?"

"Veronica!" Scowling, I stared into my glass, cheeks pink as roses. My mind danced with images of Seth; how he would look at me as I worked, the deep sound of his voice.

The firm, strong gloves he'd used on my skin.

That swoon-inducing scent.

Combining my experiences with Seth and Onyx, morphing them into one person, was draining me. "I don't know," I said softly. "I guess I'm not sure he wants me, not like you're saying. What if he's just a playboy? Flirting meaninglessly with me?"

"Well." She shook her head. "I think this guy wants more than your art. And if you don't want more from him, you need to be careful. Someone is going to get hurt, and my advice, is don't be around if it's going to be the guy with all the power and money. I'd hate to see what a man like him does when he's rejected."

I gazed at Veronica, trying to find the right words. "I'll admit, I do like him, but..."

But he's kinky.

Frightening.

And he can never know what I know about him.

"He might be more than I can handle," I said carefully.

Canting her head like a bird, the other woman leaned closer over the table. "Don't stop there! What's he done to you? Is he a good kisser? A bad kisser?"

I've only put my lips on his cock.

"We haven't kissed," I said quickly. "No, uh, he's just kind of intense."

"You haven't kissed, but he's too intense?"

"You met him. You have to know what I mean."

"I guess he was a little intimidating," she mused. "But I have a feeling you're not telling me everything."

Kicking my feet under the table, I toyed with a napkin.

Throwing her arms in the air, Veronica sighed. "Give me something to work with!"

I can't tell her what he's done to me.

The memory alone had me rubbing my thighs together. "He's got a nice body," I whispered sheepishly.

She sat back in the booth and waved the waiter over. "I can't really comment on that. You said you saw him when he was swimming, but I'm guessing you haven't seen him naked."

Shame crawled its way to my eyeballs. No, I thought, But he's seen me.

I opened my mouth warily. "Maybe you're right, and Seth likes me, and I'm being stupid about not jumping on that. It's just, I don't think I'm ready to find out. He's not the only one who would be hurt by rejection."

My friend smiled, reaching across to grab my wrist. "Hey, you don't need to justify it to anyone. It's not my business to tell you what to do, I'm only teasing-and a little jealous." She winked. "Besides, you didn't listen to me about avoiding Seth Hart. Why would you listen to me about chasing him?"

I smiled shyly, nodding my head to be polite. Inside my skull, my thoughts were a hornet's nest. I did like Seth... and Onyx. But what did I really know about them-him?

I know he can get me to do things I never imagined before.

Knowing Veronica couldn't learn the truth, I grabbed my drink and didn't bring my relationship worries up again the rest of our brunch.

When Corbin pulled up outside, we hugged each other tightly and promised to get in touch again soon.

"Maybe I can come visit you and see your painting?" Veronica asked.

Though I was terrified of introducing someone else to that mansion with its strange, dark secrets, I gave a quick nod and ducked into the car. "Okay, maybe sometime soon!"

We waved through the windows, the white noise of the engine taking over. When I was out of eyesight, I stared straight ahead.

She thinks I should get closer to Seth.

Was she right?

I just didn't know anymore.

I'd danced around telling Veronica the real issue-Seth had a double life, and he didn't know that I knew. I was behind the curtain, but Seth, he was juggling what he thought were two different woman.

It was possible that he didn't like me-not the real me.

What will I do if he only wants Opal?.

- Chapter Ten -.

Naomi.

The day stretched by far too slow.

I was lost in a daze, thinking about the other night, and the erotic things I'd partaken in.

The very idea of it, kneeling at someone's feet and calling them 'Master' was so far out of my realm. If I'd been told about it in regards to anybody else, I would have laughed.

Yet, here I was, biding my time until I could rush back through that golden door, folding on the ground in front of Onyx.

Closing my eyes, I breathed in slowly, imagining what he'd done to me.

How he'd teased me, so close to licking my soaked pussy, and instead forcing his hard cock down my throat.

The sound of his voice, that low baritone that penetrated my bones... I wanted to hear him call me his 'little jewel' again.

"Beautiful," that voice whispered.

It was so real, so close to my ear.

Yes, he thought I was beautiful.

Again, it brushed along my neck, stating how I was...

"Beautiful."

I jumped, jerking around to fast I hurt my back. Seth grinned at me, eyes twinkling wickedly. For a split second, my mind went to war. It demanded I kneel, subjugating myself in front of my Master.

No, don't! I locked my knees. He'll know!

Grabbing at my chest, I laughed weakly. "You surprised me again!"

"Sorry. Sometimes I walk too softly, it's unconscious." He inclined his head, turning to view the wall I'd been painting. "I was admiring how this is coming along. It's wonderful, it looks like it will be done soon."