Page 168 of Lethal Torture

Is he made from fucking stone?

I crack my whip, and the fan covering my breasts splits apart and falls away, revealing a backless black corset with a halter neck that pushes my breasts high, the nipples half exposed.

I spin around and crack the whip again, and the fan covering my ass falls away. I draw the fronds of the whip up over the exposed globes, only marginally covered by the low-cut thong, then bring the whip down on my own flesh just hard enough to leave stripes across it—and to start a heavy pulse between my legs.

I peek coyly over my shoulder, slowly dragging the fronds of the whip up my naked spine, drawing out the moment of reveal. In one of the private booths close to the stage, I see one woman inch up her skirt and push the hand of the man next to her between them.

It’s time.

I crack the whip in front of me, and the fronds snake back to cut through the thin satin holding up the corset. Another crack, and the entire piece is removed, treating the crowd to a brief glimpse of my naked ass before I spin around to face them. They gasp, then sigh when they realize my entire torso is shielded by one last fan.

Slowly I begin to walk into the fake water in front of the steps, the stage piece underneath me sinking with each step to give the illusion I’m entering the lake. The moon rises behind me, casting a high, golden light all around. My legs slowly inch beneath theimaginary surface, and the crowd strains for a better view as the fan inches higher and higher, toward the crease of my thighs.

The pulse between my legs is thudding heavily. My nipples behind the fan are hard and full, aching to be touched.

Tonight isn’t an illusion for the crowd.

Tonight, the arousal is all too real.

I look up at the office, and my heart stops.

Luke isn’t standing still anymore.

He’s leaning forward, gripping the railing that runs the length of the office, his face inches from the window.

Even from this distance, I can feel the savage restraint in his body, the tension of desire warring with conscience.

I feel an almost crippling stab of desire.

The theater might be full, but right now, I’m dancing for one man, and one man only.

I reach up with one hand and release the ribbon of my mask. It drops into the lake. I raise my eyes to the control room, and for a split second, stare straight at Luke.

The stage beneath me sinks, and I disappear to the sounds of ecstatic screaming from the audience.

I’m high and wired,and I don’t want to go back up onto that stage.

I will expose too much.

I don’t mean too much skin. That doesn’t bother me in the least.

I know how to play the role of Queen, how to conduct an orgy like I might an orchestra. Iwantedto play that part tonight. Wanted Luke to see me commanding the pleasure of an entiretheater of people. That was the whole reason I took this role, to goad and intimidate him beyond reason.

Only it’s me who’s lost myself tonight.

It’s me who is so swollen and hot between the legs that I’m ready to scream at the first touch.

I’m so close to being entirely undone that I don’t want anyone, even my staff, to see me.

But it’s too late to back out now.

“Holy shit.” Rocco helps me into the silk robe I’ll wear for the next stage of proceedings, staring at me admiringly as he helps seat me on the throne. I keep my eyes down. “That dance will be the talk of London for the next fucking decade.”

“Next century, more like.” Even Shelby, looking utterly stunning in shimmering silver and aqua, gives me a begrudging nod. “That was something else.”

I don’t answer either of them.

All I can hear is the deafening silence from my earpiece, and all I can feel is the devastating absence of Luke’s reassuring voice.