Page 24

Twenty-Three

Ophelia

There was a moment he almost saw me as human. I caught it, right before his cold mask slammed back into place. I can’t blame him for dismissing my apology. I would too, if I were him. It’s too little, too late, and I’ll never forgive myself for hurting Maggie. Why the hell should he forgive me, after what he lost?

My throat still hurts from how he used me, and every time I swallow, it takes me back there, on my knees, as he fucked my throat.

Part of me is horrified at the memory, revolted that he took what he wanted from me in such a brutal way. But he hypnotized me with his gentle touches and his damn praise until even his savagery felt like affection. No one would judge me for not fighting—he has all the power—but I’m judging myself because, in the moment, I didn’t want to.

I wanted him to touch me.

Ever since, I’ve been floating in a strange, distant headspace. I need to snap the hell out of it and focus on what matters. I’m leaving the apartment. I’m seeing more of the Compound. And, most importantly, I might get an opportunity to see the inside of Medical for myself. If my family has a spy here, I need to make contact.

The more time passes, the less it feels like I’m getting out of here any time soon.

I shower just as Sebastian ordered. Following his instructions comes easier and easier with each passing hour.

I exit the shower to find Sebastian immaculately dressed as ever in a pale gray suit complete with a blue shirt that matches his eyes. And my hair, of course. My stomach flips. The more time I spend with him, the more fascinating the perfect angles of his face become. I’m starting to recognize that when his eyes darken, it’s with desire.

They’re dark now, and my nerves spark like crazy as he smiles. “There you are. Drop the towel, lie on the bed, and spread your legs.”

I clutch the towel reflexively. The blunt words don’t sound right, not when he’s a poster boy for elegant perfection. I know he’ll fuck me for the first time soon, but I didn’t think it’d be yet. He seemed excited about whatever he’s planned for dinner. And why did he bother getting all dressed up?

“Relax, pet. Your virtue is safe for now. But do as you’re told like a good girl, or I might change my mind about your dinner outfit.”

He inclines his head toward the bed, and for the first time, I notice a dress. My breath catches, and I reach out to feel the silky fabric. It’s stunning, the slippery blue silk gliding through my fingers like water.

Tiny blue jewels cover the neckline, which plunges in a deep V almost to the waist. My breasts will be covered by a thin strip of fabric and prayers to the fashion gods, and the sides are slit to the hip, but the effect is sultry and daring rather than trashy. It’s something an actress might wear to the Oscars if she wanted her photo front and center on everyone’s newsfeed the next day, the sort of outfit I always imagined myself in but would never in a million years have been allowed to wear.

“Like it?” Sebastian’s voice has lost the mocking edge. He sounds genuinely curious, and a small, stupid part of me is touched.

My voice croaks as I answer, “Actually, yes.”

“Then do as you’re told like a good little pet.”

Oh. Of course. The dress distracted me from his instruction, but now the humiliating reality is back in full force. It’s not like he hasn’t already seen me, every part of me, in great detail. At this point, I honestly don’t think I care about him seeing me naked anymore. But what he’s asking is just…demeaning.

“Why?”

I don’t drop the towel, and he leans toward me. His voice drops. “Do it in the next five seconds, or you’re coming to dinner in just your collar and leash. And be polite about it.”

Shit. He means it. I drop the towel and scramble for the bed. Better to be embarrassed here in private than in front of God only knows how many people. “Yes, sir.”

I stare at the ceiling as I lie on my back, legs bent, knees and ankles pressed together. I stretch my fingers out and find the silky dress, gathering it in my fingers. It’s a distraction, something to focus on, and it lets me slide my legs apart.

This position, in front of a fully clothed man, is just too much. The exposure, like a doctor’s visit from hell, heats my skin, especially as he just stands there, watching. I steal a glance at his face and catch a flicker of amusement. “Hold that position if you want the dress.”

The bastard. He disappears, leaving me contemplating just what my life has brought me to. Through the window, all I can see is a speckling of stars above the thick, impenetrable forest. Even if I could escape, I’d probably get eaten by wolves. Or bears.

My only experience of woodcraft came from a single, miserable high school camp just for the girls, designed to build character. All it built in me was a strong desire never to go camping again. One thing I’m fairly sure Sebastian and I have in common, if nothing else.

It feels like a long time until he returns. I’m braced for something terrifying. An extra-large dildo or, worse, a speculum. Something about this position has me fearing the worst. But he just holds up a little plastic tub and unscrews the lid.

“The thing about STEM guys is, sometimes we get bored with working on our serious projects. As well as the world-changing stuff, Brothers have invented things that don’t have much practical value but can be a lot of fun. And some Brothers are quite creative, especially where their Wards are concerned. Like Eve and Quinn’s cuffs.”

I shudder at the thought of those cuffs. Quinn explained, in agonizing detail, exactly what they do. At least Sebastian didn’t come in here brandishing a pair.

“This stuff”—he holds up the little jar—“could probably make a lot of money out in the world, but so far, no one has bothered tackling the red tape to get it approved. It’s popular here in the Compound, though. We call it hot salve. Hold still.”

Before I can react, his hand is between my legs. I yelp as he spreads a thick layer of it over my clit. “What the…”

Heat. It builds from a tingle to a furnace, radiating from my clit deep into my body. My lower belly tightens, like the start of an orgasm, but the heat doesn’t stop there. It spreads right through me, a wave of sensitive desire.

I breathe deep, trying to tamp the sensation down, but it just builds. Sebastian strikes again, swirling a little balm onto each nipple, and oh shit, they stiffen into aching, sensitive peaks as the heat starts there, too.

Fuck. Fuck. I close my eyes. Sebastian runs his finger over my clit, and I moan as pleasure spikes deep into my belly. Too much. Far too much.

“Fun, isn’t it? It lasts about three hours. Right through dinner.” He rolls my nipple between his fingers, and I swear I’ll tip over the edge from that alone if he keeps it up. He lowers his face to mine as he plays, and his smile should belong to the devil himself.

“You’re going to beg me to fuck you. I might even say yes. How does that sound, Ophelia? Do you want my cock inside you right now?”

He slides a finger inside me. God, I’m soaking. And it feels far, far too good. Good, but not enough. I need more. I bite my lip as he brushes my clit again, sending another spasm through my body.

“Just say the words. ‘Please fuck me, sir.’ That’s all I need, and I’ll do it. You can come as many times as you like and go to dinner satisfied. What do you say?”

I want to say yes. It takes everything I have to hold the words in. Not trusting myself to speak, I shake my head.

He sighs in mock disappointment. “That’s a shame. It’s going to be a long night, and you’re already dripping down your thighs. Wherever you sit is going to be soaked. It’ll smell like you forever.

Jesus. I can’t tell where the raging heat from the potion ends and the flush of shame starts. It doesn’t matter anymore anyway. I’m made of lava.

He pulls his hand free, and I want to grab it and put it back. I want to grind myself against it. He dips his head and kisses my cheek. “Get dressed, pet. We don’t want to be late. ”

He stands, and my hands move without any input from my brain. One goes to my aching nipple, the other to my clit. Sebastian moves like a striking crocodile, snatching my wrists. “No you don’t. You know what you need to say. Any more of that, and it’s just the collar and leash, no pretty dress.”

Damn everything about this man. I sit and look down at myself, surprised I’m not actually glowing. I should be. My thighs press together, and I can’t suppress a moan at the way the pressure makes my clit pulse. I’m never going to survive dinner. I’ll spontaneously combust.

I get dressed in a daze under Sebastian’s watchful eyes, and even though the cool silk rubbing over my nipples is a new kind of torture, it feels good to be clothed. I stare at myself in the mirror, turning side to side.

My God. I never knew I could look like this. The dress clings to me, highlighting the narrow curve of my waist and the flare of my hips. It outlines my breasts in a way that feels more revealing than the trashy costume from earlier. My rock-hard nipples will be obvious from across the room.

When I twist, the dress reveals my legs all the way to my waist, and I’ll have to be careful not to flash my ass. “Panties?” I ask without much hope.

“What do you think?”

He motions me to sit as he selects my shoes from a drawer. Still towering, and this time, the heel is thinner, not a platform. They sparkle, a perfect midnight blue to compliment the dress. He kneels to put them on, and it has the feel of a ritual as he slides my foot in. I might be mistaken, but I think he enjoys this.

He rubs his thumb over my instep, and I melt as another wash of desire hits. Every nerve in my body is wide awake and shouting. He gazes up at me through his long lashes as he buckles the thin ankle straps .

“I should cover you in this stuff permanently. How long do you think it’d take for you to lose your mind completely? Forget your name. Forget anything except how badly you need me to fuck you.”

He punctuates his words by sliding a finger up my thigh to my throbbing clit, then back down. I’m losing my mind already. It’s gone.

He dips his head between my thighs. For one long, desperate moment, I think he’s going to eat my pussy, and my whole body lights up in anticipation. But he just lands a kiss on my inner thigh and gets to his feet. The spot his lips touched is a red-hot brand.

He fetches my collar from his top drawer, and my heart sinks at the sight of it. The bulky leather will ruin the look of the dress. He follows my gaze, and a smile touches his lips. “You haven’t earned a pretty collar yet, pet. Sorry. And I love how you look in this, even if you don’t.”

He fastens it around my neck, and the tight leather presses against my oversensitive skin in a way that isn’t entirely unpleasant. I risk a look in the mirror and draw in a breath. The collar transforms the sultry dress into something wicked, as if I’m all dressed up as a sacrifice, ready to be ruined.

He offers me his hand, and I get to my feet. I wobble on the ridiculous heels, and he steadies me with one hand as he grips the leash with the other. “Don’t worry, beautiful. I won’t let you fall.”

As I totter out the door, my one remaining rational brain cell shoots an idea to my frazzled brain. I need to go to Medical. Maybe these shoes are my ticket.