Dominance

Jenkins had zero interest in easing her into it. With a sudden thrust, he penetrated her. The only lubrication was the trace of her saliva. It burned like fire.

Pain ripped through Marie so sharply it stole the air from her lungs. Tears sprang to her eyes before she could stop them, and she clenched her jaw hard enough to hurt.

In that instant she understood exactly what this was.

Not sex.

Power.

Raw and unlimited.

He wanted her to feel the imbalance between them. Wanted her to understand that in this room, in this country, her comfort didn’t matter unless he decided it did.

His hands locked hard around her hips as he thrust his cock deep into her anus.

“Well?” he asked roughly. “How do you like that?”

Marie swallowed hard.

The last thing she was going to do was flatter him.

“It hurts,” she shot back. “And I hate it.”

“Good.”

The word landed cold.

A strained sound escaped her before she could stop it.

He thrust himself deeper and deeper into her. When he couldn't go any further, Jenkins pulled out—only to thrust back in immediately. He never fully withdrew from her.

This wasn’t even unfamiliar territory to her. Anal sex wasn’t new. She’d just never particularly liked it. Usually it had happened because a boyfriend pushed long enough that she eventually gave in, or because **** had blurred the line between wanting and allowing.

But this?

This was different.

This felt like being conquered.

Jenkins’ breathing grew heavier, less controlled.

Please just finish already.

Of course he didn’t make it that easy.

Suddenly he stopped moving. A second later he dropped backward into his chair, dragging her with him so abruptly she barely caught herself before ending up fully in his lap. With his rod still buried in her butt, of course.

“Go ahead,” he murmured near her ear. “Show me how serious you really are.”

Marie didn’t need to see his face to hear the smug grin in his voice.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Could he **** her?

Yes.

And they both knew it.

Slowly, stiffly, she moved. Up and down. And again. Up and down. Involuntarily, she tensed her muscles, giving Jenkins an extra massage.

“You’re doing well,” Jenkins muttered. “Keep going.”

The praise hit her harder than an insult would have.

Still, she kept moving.

Partly out of necessity.

Partly because sheer stubbornness had taken over now. If she was trapped in this moment, then she would at least survive it on her own terms.

Up. Down. Again.

Jenkins’ breathing turned ragged. He tensed.

She felt a sudden warmth as he ejaculated into the depths of her.

Thank goodness.

When it was finally over, Marie felt herself trembling — from effort, from disgust, from adrenaline still tearing through her bloodstream.

And underneath all of it sat the ugliest realization of all:

She couldn’t put all the blame on him.

She could’ve said no.

Maybe it would’ve destroyed her mission. Maybe it would’ve ended everything she came here for.

But the choice had still existed.

And now she’d have to live with what she chose.

Breathing hard, she straightened her clothes with shaky hands.

“So,” she said, forcing steel back into her voice, “I remain part of the delegation.”

“Provisionally.” Jenkins sounded almost amused now. “Let’s call it probationary status.”

Marie stared at him for a second, then gave a short, brittle laugh.

“Wonderful.”

Jerk.

She smoothed her skirt down and squared her shoulders again. Piece by piece, she rebuilt the version of herself she needed the world to see.

“Are we done here?” she asked sharply.

Jenkins nodded once, calm as ever.

“I’ll see you at the conference.”

Marie turned and walked toward the door before he could say anything else.

The moment she stepped into the hallway, only one thought cut through the noise in her head:

I need to talk to Étienne.

Or at least Lars.