Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
He made some remarks about the lovely color of the “fur” on my head and how he thought it would need washing next time, but for now it was fine. Then he drained the not-water and got a big, fluffy towel the size of a beach blanket and wrapped me in it. Without asking if he could, he scooped me up, the same way you might pick up a dog or a cat, and carried me into the bedroom.
SEVEN
ELLI
“It’s actually quite late by my timeline but I think I took you in the middle of your daylight hours,” he remarked as he sat on the edge of the bed, still holding me cradled in the towel. “Would you like me to synthesize some food for you? I haven’t read up yet on your dietary and nutritional requirements but I can scan the pamphlet the Commercians gave me if you like.”
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. I still felt thoroughly shaken by my body’s reaction to his touch. I ought to feel violated, I told myself—I ought to hate him.
Instead, I found myself craving more. Not that I was about to tell him that. He was still the enemy—the bastard who had captured me. Bought me like I was a piece of chattel—an animal he could own.
If only his hands didn’t feel so good on my body. And if only he didn’t smell so good!
Because now that I was close to him and the lightly fragranced cleaning lotions he had used on me were washed away, I could smell my new Master’s distinctive scent and I have to admit, it was incredible.
Imagine the best, most expensive men’s cologne you’ve ever smelled and then imagine the scent of your favorite lover’s skin. Sir’s scent was like both of those mixed together. I wondered if he was giving off some kind of alien pheromone or something but whatever it was, it drew me like a magnet. It made me want to bury my face in his neck and breathe him in and never stop.
I clamped down on the urge sternly.
“Can I go now?” I asked, not meeting his eyes. “I mean, if it’s your nighttime, it’s time to rest, right? To sleep?”
“Certainly you may sleep if you’re not hungry.” He unwrapped the towel and set me down on the floor in front of the bed gently.
“Can I have a nightdress?” I asked, daring to look at him. “Or some kind of night clothes to sleep in?”
He shook his head.
“I’m afraid not—pets don’t generally wear clothing in my culture. Besides, I’ve always thought that a pet in clothes looks perfectly ridiculous.”
It wasn’t lost on me that I had thought the exact same thing—many times—while helping Great Aunt Maizy dress her doggies. But the idea of walking around naked all the time made me feel desperately vulnerable.
“Please,” I said, though I hated to beg. “It might not be part of your culture but it is part of mine. I need something to wear!”
“You’ll get something, little one,” he promised me. “I’m going to synthesize you a collar tomorrow after first meal. Won’t that be nice?”
“A collar?” I glared at him, angry all over again.
“Well yes, of course,” he said as though it should be obvious. “I must show my ownership of you, especially on the planets we visit together. It wouldn’t do to have you stolen away or mistaken for someone else’s property.”
“I am not your property!” I spat at him. “You might have bought me, but I did not consent to be sold!”
Sir’s brow furrowed warnningly.
“Nevertheless, you are now my pet. Are you ready to go back to your crate now and sleep?”
The thought of being locked in the claustrophobic confines of the crate all night sent a shiver of horror down my back and all the anger abruptly left me.
“Please, no!” I said quickly. “Please don’t lock me in there! I…I’m really claustrophobic. And now that you know I won’t, er, pee on the carpet, you don’t have to confine me like that—right?” I added hopefully.
He frowned at me.
“I also know you’re not trained to behave yet—you’re still very headstrong and disobedient. Why should I trust you outside your crate?”
“What if I gave you my word to behave?” I asked desperately. “Please, I’ll be good. Can’t I sleep somewhere else? Anywhere else? Even the floor—in fact, the floor would be fine.”
He shook his head.
“I don’t like the idea of you on the floor. What if I got out of my sleeping platform at night and accidentally stepped on you?”
“Okay,” I said in a tight voice that was less than a whisper. “What if…what if I slept at the foot of your bed? Since I’m your…your pet?”
I could barely force the word out of my mouth, but I couldn’t face the idea of going back into the narrow confines of the crate—I just couldn’t.