Page 48 of The Toy Maker

And Jason knew it.

I tore my gaze away, desperate to pull myself out of the haze he’d wrapped around me. But it was pointless. He was in my head and had been for longer than I wanted to admit.

He was in my thoughts, my body, even my dreams.

There was no escaping him, no way to silence the images he’d already planted.

His fingers brushed against my jaw, tilting my face back toward his. His touch was deceptively gentle, but the look in his eyes told me he was anything but. “I can leave you breathlessand aching,” he murmured, his lips so close they could have been a kiss. “Every step you take will remind you of me.”

Jason pulled the vibrator away, the sudden absence leaving my body humming. Relief came in a fleeting second before he slid his fingers inside me, drawing a gasp from my lips.

The introduction of his touch sucked the air from my lungs. My arms strained against the restraints binding my wrists, the fabric rough against my skin as I instinctively tried to grasp something—anything—for stability.

“I’ll think about it.” The words came out hoarse, my resistance unraveling further with each deliberate movement of his fingers inside me.

He slowed just enough to keep me on the edge, the tips of his fingers pressing in a steady rhythm against the spot that made my toes curl. “You sure, baby?” There was that damned pet name again.

I clenched my jaw, barely biting back the frustrated moan building in my throat. “I’m sure.”

Jason withdrew his fingers immediately, leaving me empty, aching, and gasping. My walls clenched around nothing, the loss so sudden it sent a frustrated whimper up my throat.

His smirk was lethal. “Have it your way.”

My stomach dropped at the realization that there would be no orgasm until I got home.

Heat pooled low in my abdomen, throbbing and unsatisfied. Every nerve in my body screamed for more, for his touch, for anything to ease the unbearable need he’d built inside me.

I swallowed hard, my breath still uneven. I’d have to go home completely wrecked, restless, and dripping with frustration.

And the worst part? I knew that’s exactly what he wanted.

He released my restraints, his fingers brushing against my wrists as he loosened the buckles. My skin tingled where theropes had been, and I flexed my fingers, trying to ease the ache that lingered in my body.

“Thank you for helping tonight.” He gave me a sincere smile that stopped the rapid thoughts running through my brain, then he turned away, leaving me to dress myself.

And I didn’t waste time pulling my clothes back on, letting the cool fabric slide against my flushed skin. My body still felt warm and was charged with adrenaline. I had to go home; I had to get a hold of myself before I did something I’d regret.

As I turned to leave, Jason’s voice stopped me.

“If you happen to reconsider, just stop by later,” he said, stepping closer.

He extended a small card, his fingers brushing mine as I took it. I furrowed my brows, confused.

Before I could ask, he added, “It’s my cellphone number. Feel free to drunk dial me anytime.” The wink he gave me was both infuriating and simultaneously sent a jolt through my body.

It was all the reminder I needed to rush out the door and refuse to look behind me.

As I walked home, the cold night air bit at my cheeks, but I barely noticed. Jason’s offer echoed in my head with every step, and my pulse quickened at the thought of accepting it.

NINETEEN

“Suck it in, bitch.”Jade laced the corset and yanked until deep breaths became an unreachable goal.

The more I attempted to squirm away, the harder she pulled. The dressing room was disturbingly cold, which Kitty had been griping about all morning even though there were more important things to worry about, like the leaning tower of MAC lipsticks stack on Naydine’s vanity.

It was due to topple over at any given minute, and that would lead to a domino effect spanning four more vanities, twelve cans of hairspray, an old sushi container, and a menstrual cup.

Sarah, who wobbled in the corner, tugged on her costume and the five-inch heels assigned to her. “We’re going to party hard tonight, ladies.” Her words slurred together as she wiggled into the fluffiest skirt she could get her hands on. “Like it’s 1999!”