Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Because of these people.
I take another step down, and another. The cool air on my skin is so familiar I shiver. The memory of the orgasm, Emilio’s hands on my breasts, his lips around my nipples biting as the pain of the hot wax stung my bare, sensitive skin, it makes each descending step more and more difficult. Like my legs won’t work.
I don’t want to face this basement again. The memory is too fresh and painful and terrifying.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
I freeze on the second to last step and slowly turn around.
There he is, staring down at me, sweat rolling in beads down his forehead, his eyes wide and tense with anger. I stare at him and seriously consider bolting into the dark, but there’s no escape back through the basement. There are only the remnants of a chalk outline and the lingering memory of my shame and my pleasure.
“Exploring,” I say, which is the truth, but I’m also snooping. My raspy voice trembles, but I hope he doesn’t notice.
“Get up here.”
I hesitate. I don’t want to go anywhere near him. But Lesley appears over his shoulder, glaring at me with a sneer.
“She’s not allowed down there,” she snaps out.
“I’m aware.” Emilio glances back at her. “I can handle this.”
“Can you?” She shrugs and walks on. “Good luck then.”
Emilio watches after her before turning back to me. His expression softens a touch, but he’s still unhappy. “Climb up here, Kaye. Right now.”
“I didn’t know this was off limits.” I begin the ascent. He steps back to make room for me and I stand there on the landing with him, breathing the smell of his musky skin. He’s warm, like a radiator, and he stares at me with even more heat in his eyes. “I was thinking about last night, and—”
It’s a clumsy attempt at seduction and he can see right through it.
“Don’t feed me that bullshit.” He grabs my arm tightly, fingers digging into my skin, and drags me away from the door. He kicks it shut and I stumble after him. “I’m not as naive as you apparently think I am, little Kaye. Now keep your mouth shut.”
I’m not sure if he’s asking me to be quiet because there are people awake now and listening, or if he’s afraid I’ll dig myself into a deeper hole. Either way, I take his advice and let him drag me upstairs, down the hall, and into my room. I stumble up against the bed and whirl on him, anger rising to meet his own, as he shuts my door and turns to face me.
We’re standing close. My room isn’t large, barely enough space for the both of us. I back away as far as I can but he looms above me, so large and attractive, his sweat-drenched clothing clinging to his muscular body. I shiver, wanting to keep the memory of his mouth biting my tits and the wax burning my skin from overwhelming me into doing something very stupid.
“You don’t get to throw me around this house, you know,” I say through my teeth. “Just because everyone else treats you like some pirate king, don’t expect me to.”
A slight smile cracks his lips. “No, I didn’t think you would.”
“Nobody told me I’m not allowed in the basement. In fact, nobody told me anything, so how am I expected to know what my boundaries are?”
He nods at that. “You’re right. I didn’t tell you. But I also didn’t give you permission, either.”
I throw up my hands, exasperated. “Do I have to check with you before doing anything now? Is that how this works?” I give him a mocking smile. “Please, Emilio, may I go to class?”
He takes a step forward and I flinch back. That makes him smile more.
“I told you, I own you now. I think you should get down on your fucking knees and beg me to let you leave this room. Otherwise, maybe I’ll keep you locked in here.”
“I’m a member of your society, not your fucking pet.”
“No, you’re not?” He tilts his head, considering. “Actually, I like that. Yes, Kaye, you can be my pet. How does that sound, pet? I’ll treat you well so long as you learn how to follow my commands.”
“Don’t start calling me that. I swear, I’ll leave.” It’s a bluff. I’m shivering with anger, but I’m not going anywhere. If I can take the initiation, I can take this bullshit too, and he must know it, because his face doesn’t change.
“I doubt it. Not after last night. Did you mean it when you said you were thinking about what I did to you? No, don’t answer, it’ll only be more bullshit. I’ll tell you what you’re thinking, pet. You’re thinking you can ferret out my secrets. You’re thinking you can wander around my house and walk into my basement and learn everything we’ve been doing, but you’re not there yet, and don’t forget it. Not even Dom and Nathan know everything about this place. Do you understand, pet? You need to work a lot harder. You need to please me a lot more.”