Free BeyondAddiction by Desiree Holt

lack of eye contact. That was
so out of character, at least for the woman he was used to.
    “Fallon?” He moved closer. “Did something happen today? Your
lunch with Claire? Something happen with the errands?”
    She just shook her head and continued removing her clothing
like a robot.
    What the fuck?
    And then out of nowhere, it hit him.
    She’d seen him .
    The bastard who’d fucked up her life. Fucked up her .
Had she run into him or had she deliberately sought him out? Shit, he didn’t
know how he’d handle it if it were the latter. It took all his willpower not to
smash his fist against the wall.
    Pulling himself together, he used his best Dom voice.
“Fallon. Look at me. Now!” he snapped when she continued to look down at her
feet.
    She lifted her face to his, her expression a mixture of
regret and disgust, but didn’t meet his gaze.
    “You saw him today, right? That asshole you refuse to talk
about?”
    She nodded.
    “Was it deliberate? Did you call him?” He was barely holding
his temper in check. “Answer me, girl.”
    “No, Sir.” She still hadn’t looked at him. From the moment
he spoke she’d been in full submissive mode, only her attitude was more one of
defeat than supplication.
    What the fuck happened out there today? She was doing so
well? We were doing so well.
    Something had suddenly changed and he damn well wanted to
know what it was, although he had his suspicions. He used every ounce of
control to contain the rage erupting inside him.
    “Did you run into him somewhere?”
    “Yes.” The word was so soft he had to strain to hear it.
Despite his instruction, she lowered her chin.
    “Goddamn it, Fallon.” He hauled in a breath and clenched his
fists, fighting for control. “Look at you. You’re a wreck. Did you run into
Brian Willoughby?”
    This time her answer was a whisper. “Yes.”
    Cord felt as if someone had punched him in the stomach.
    He let the next breath out slowly. He would have to do this
very carefully.
    “I want you to look at me, girl.” He made his voice as firm
and steady as possible. “Keep your eyes on me and answer my questions. Do you
understand?”
    She stood before him, nude, stripped down to the bare
individual. If she had any defenses against either her situation or his anger
they were completely submerged.
    “I asked you a question.” He took a step closer. “Do you
understand me?”
    “Yes, Sir.” Her voice was still so low he had to strain to
hear it.
    “Tell me what happened today. Where did you see him?”
    “A-At La Cantera. The valet parking. I didn’t even see him
until he was right there beside me.”
    “And did you talk to him?”
    Haltingly, fingers twisting together, she related their
conversation. With each word, his rage grew. He could visualize the scene—the
smooth, domineering bully using his magnetism to mind-fuck a woman who still
harbored traces of an addiction.
    Based on the little she was telling him of their encounter,
Cord was beginning to realize that in leaving Brian, Fallon had challenged him.
Challenged his control.
    And Brian Willoughby didn’t seem like a man who would let
that go over easily.
    “And how did you leave it with him?” He was almost afraid to
hear the answer.
    “I-I ran from him, Sir.” She swallowed audibly. “I ran into
the restaurant.”
    “Did he follow you?”
    She shook her head then, apparently realizing he wanted
words, said, “No. Sir.”
    So many conflicting emotions were at war within him, Cord
didn’t know where to begin. The first thing he planned to do was put on some
pants. He couldn’t possibly discipline a sub wearing only a towel. He left her
standing there, fingers linked together, gaze lowered again, while he dug out a
clean pair of boxer briefs and some jeans. He turned his back until he’d
fastened the snap on his jeans and tugged up the zipper. He had to be careful
that his anger didn’t bend his control.
    “I can tell just by your attitude,” he said, “that