Page 32 of Breaking Ophelia

He runs a hand down my arm, slow, almost gentle. “Good girl.”

I freeze. The praise is poison. I hate how much it affects me, the way my heart skips at the sound.

He makes me do the bacon, the toast, even pour his coffee. All the while, he hovers behind me, so close I can feel the heat of his body. Every time I try to move away, he presses closer.

“You like this,” he whispers, just for me. “Being owned.”

I almost drop the pan. My face burns. “In your dreams.”

He laughs. “Every night.”

I plate the food, shove it at him, and cross my arms. “Eat it. Choke on it, for all I care.”

He takes a bite, chews slow, never looking away from me.

The other boys dish up and dig in, watching us like it’s the best show they’ve ever seen. The girl has mysteriously disappeared.

After a few bites, Caius wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, then stands.

He walks over, reaches out, and smears a bit of egg on my cheek.

I slap his hand away, but he’s faster. He grabs my chin, forces me to hold still.

“You look better with a mess on you,” he says.

My breathing is ragged. My hands ball into fists. I stare up at him, hating how much taller, stronger he is. Hating how much I want him to keep touching me.

He sees it. The fucker always sees it.

He pulls me close. Not a hug, not a kiss—just a claim. His hand in my hair, his other hand cupping my jaw. He leans in, and for a second, I think he’s going to bite me, or worse.

Instead, he whispers, “You’re going to come to my room tonight. You’re going to kneel, just like in the dining room, and you’re going to beg.”

I bite him. Hard, just above his collarbone.

He jerks, but doesn’t let go. Instead, he grins, eyes bright with hunger.

“There she is,” he says. “My little animal.”

He shoves me away, just hard enough to make me stumble.

Behind him, the boys cheer.

Rhett yells, “Bet you can’t make her crawl!”

Colton, “Ten bucks she knees you in the balls first!”

I glare at them all, then at Caius.

“I’m not your fucking pet,” I spit.

He laughs. “You’re whatever I say you are. That’s how this works.”

I back up to the door, keeping my eyes on him. “Enjoy your eggs. Next time, I’ll add poison.”

He blows me a kiss. “Looking forward to it.”

I slam the door on the way out, the sound echoing down the stone hall.