The party continued till 12 midnight, glittering chandeliers casting a warm glow over the crowd. Laughter, soft music, and the clinking of glasses filled the air, but Izzy felt detached, like she was watching from the outside.
Dominic's voice had cut through the noise earlier, sharp and controlled. Step away from him, the way he said sent a shiver down her spine. And. she had obeyed without a word. But the sting of his dominance still lingered.
She tried to enjoy herself, circulating politely among the guests, holding a glass of wine, and nodding to familiar faces. But every time she glanced toward Dominic, her chest tightened.
He was laughing with Sienna, the woman from his trip, her red lips curved in a smile that seemed effortless, her hand lightly brushing his arm. His laughter was deep, warm,...meant for Sienna, not her.
Izzy's stomach twisted with jealousy. She wanted to step forward, to demand attention, but a small voice in her head reminded her of what he had said earlier... harsh, commanding, and unforgettable.
"Do not leave without my permission."
The words echoed in her mind. She had felt a shiver run down her spine when he spoke them, that mix of fear, respect, and something darker she couldn't name.
She tried to pretend she was fine, pretending to be engaged in small talk with other guests, but her gaze kept returning to Dominic. He looked untouchable tonight... controlled, powerful, and completely out of reach.
Minutes passed. He moved through the crowd, always with Sienna by his side, always laughing softly at her jokes. His presence seemed to fill the room, leaving Izzy feeling smaller, almost invisible.
Her fingers tightened around her wine glass. She hated how much it hurt to see him like this, how much she wanted his attention even when he ignored her. And yet… the sharp edge of his control thrilled her in a way she didn't fully understand.
Finally, she found herself standing by the edge of the ballroom, lost in thought, watching him laugh, his dark eyes glinting as they met Sienna's. She wanted to look away, to distract herself, but she couldn't. Every movement he made, every laugh, every gesture, seemed to pull her in, and her heart beat faster with a mix of anger, longing, and desire.
He caught her glance briefly. His eyes darkened for a moment... unreadable, commanding, dangerous and then he turned back to Sienna as if she weren't there at all.
Izzy took a deep breath, forcing herself to sip her wine. He doesn't even notice me. He doesn't care. I have no right to feel this way.
But deep down, she knew the truth. She did care. She wanted his attention, his acknowledgment, even if it came wrapped in coldness and control.
And as the party went on, laughter and music swirling around her, Izzy realized that tonight her thoughts were just on Dominic
By the time the party was winding down, the room had mostly emptied. The chatter had faded, leaving only the soft music echoing through the grand ballroom.
Izzy was gathering her things, her chest still tight from watching Dominic with Sienna, when she felt the unmistakable weight of his gaze. She looked up.
Dominic was standing there, tall, imposing, and unmistakably angry. His dark eyes locked onto hers.
"Izzy," he said, his voice low but sharp, cutting through the quiet. "We need to talk."
Her stomach sank. She had a sinking feeling she knew why. "Yes… Mr. Steele?" she said, her voice small.
He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Do you know how it looks?" he asked, his tone harsh. "Talking to Adrian Cross like that… smiling, laughing… without even realizing who he is?"
"I… I didn't know," she whispered quickly. "I had no idea was doing something wrong, sir."
Dominic's jaw tightened. His eyes darkened, full of control and restrained anger. "Miss Hart… you don't have the permission to smile and flirt with other men," he growled, the command in his voice sending a shiver down her spine.
Her heart raced, part fear, part anticipation. "Ii can't… but you can.. Crazy."
"Enough, Izzy" he snapped, his tone leaving no room for protest. "Follow me."
Izzy's pulse spiked as she nodded, obeying without hesitation. Her heels clicked softly on the marble floor as she followed him through the quiet halls of the hotel.
He led her into a small, private room off the main ballroom. The door closed with a soft click behind them, sealing them in silence.
Dominic didn't waste a moment. He stepped close, his hand brushing her arm with a firm, almost possessive grip. His dark eyes bore into hers, the anger still simmering, but now mixed with something raw and unyielding.
"You need to understand," he said, voice low and intense. "I don't like to share. I don't like seeing you smile at another man or in another man's hand. Do you understand?"
Izzy nodded, unable to speak. Her chest heaved, her heart pounding faster than ever.
Without another word, Dominic leaned in and kissed her... forceful, intense, and charged with every ounce of anger, desire, and frustration he had been holding back. It wasn't gentle. It wasn't playful. It was him, all of him, and it left her breathless, knees weak, and her mind spinning.
When he finally pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers, his voice was a low growl. "You need to remember who owns you. Izzy."
Her lips parted slightly, heart racing. She wanted to argue, to apologize, to plea for him to kiss her again... but she couldn't. She was caught in the intensity of him, the control, and the undeniable pull between them.
Dominic held her gaze for a long moment, his dark eyes softening just enough to let her know there was more than just anger in his control there was longing, desire, and a storm of emotions he refused to voice.
Izzy swallowed hard. "I… I understand," she whispered.
"Good," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Because you'll need to remember it. Always."
He finally stepped back, giving her just enough space to catch her breath, though the tension in the room still crackled between them. Izzy realized, with a mix of fear and excitement, that this was only the beginning.
Dominic Steele didn't just demand obedience... And she had no choice but to give it.