Page 61 of Stand Your Ground

I arched a brow as the wand beeped at the button on my waistband.

“Yeah, yeah, NDA and all. Where exactly have you brought me, Mistress?”

A fire I’d never seen before flashed in Livia’s eyes with that title, and she rewarded me by sliding a hand up the back of my neck, her fingers curling possessively. Her mouth was close to my ear when she whispered, “Welcome to The Manor.”

Then she led me behind the curtain.

Instantly, the noise that had been a muffle from outside enveloped me. The music was low and rhythmic, something jazzy and seductive. Conversations murmured all around us, laughter blending with the clink of glasses and… moans?

Yeah. That was definitely moaning I was hearing.

The ceiling soared above us, modern chandeliers dripping crystals that refracted light into rainbows across the white marble floor. The windows were floor-to-ceiling, offering a glimmering view of the water beyond. Every inch of the place gleamed — silver trays, mirrored accents, glass sculpture installations — and yet, it still managed to feel intimate. Dark.

Sexy.

But as I scanned the room, I realized that though the house was impressive, it was the people inside it who demanded the most attention.

From one end of the massive room to the other, there were little groups of people gathered and stragglers wandering around taking it all in just as I was. There were couples, throuples, small groups, and larger ones lounging in an oversized corner sofa.

And they weren’t wearing a suit the way I was.

Instead, they wore silk robes, corsets, collars. They wore lace and leather and nothing but high heels. Some wore masks. Others wore nothing at all. Most outfits looked like they’d cost more than my first car, and yet not a single one of them felt like a costume. They were all luxurious, made with the finest fabric and leather.

My heart kicked like a bass drum in my chest.

Livia trailed her fingers down my arm and along the inside of my wrist before she wrapped her grip around me like a leash, subtle but firm. “Take a breath,” she said, her eyes watching me as I continued watching the room. “You’re safe here.”

She released me then, hands unfastening the large buttons of her coat. When she shrugged it off her shoulders and handed it to a woman waiting in the wings, all my attention snapped to her.

And if my heart was struggling before, it was ready to give out completely now.

Livia was wrapped in lace the color of luxury — rich, deep brown, just a shade darker than her skin, so close it blended and disappeared and teased. It was the kind of lingerie that didn’t scream for attention but demanded it anyway, subtle and masterful, like art hung in a museum too expensive to ever step foot in.

The bodysuit hugged every curve, delicate straps crossing over her chest in a way that framed her breasts without caging them, the lace dipping into a plunging V that ended just above her belly button. Her thighs were bare save for a sliver of matching garters, each one clasped to sheer, silky stockings that shimmered slightly in the low light. And those heels I’d had a sneak peek of all night were the same warm tone, a perfect match, with glossy red bottoms that caught the light every time she shifted her weight.

She was the sexiest person in the room.

And tonight, she was mine.

Even if it was just a lesson. Even if it was just a game. She was with me tonight, and I wanted every fucker in this place to know it.

“Goddamn, Liv,” I croaked, reaching out to stroke along the smooth, exposed skin at her hip with my knuckles. I teased the top of her garter, sliding my finger beneath the fabric and tracing along her thigh before I pulled back and let it snap against her skin. “You are always sexy, but seeing you like this…fuck, it makes me want to drop to my knees.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” she said, gripping me by the lapels as she leaned in to whisper. “You will be.”

I swallowed, looking around the room. “I’m a little nervous.”

“That’s perfectly normal. But I’m here with you, and this is a safe place for you to learn. I will take care of you. Understand?”

I nodded.

“Good. Now, before we go further, I need a few verbal agreements from you. First, do you agree to be more of a submissive tonight, to stay in your role as student, but also allow me to dive deeper into what I believe will bring you pleasure?”

“I think so.”

“I need more than that.”

“Well… what exactly are you referring to?”