Page 20 of Wristlocked

“Shadow ismine,Gia, and I’m hers, and we don’t share. You think I sub for other guys?” I’m furious and hard, and I hate her a little in this moment.

“Shadow isme. Open your eyes. This is me. I’ve got you.” Her voice is dropping, slowing, throbbing through my blood. “Forget about him. He’s not even here.”

A lie. His predatory gaze crawls curiously over our skin, and she’s eating it up. Shewantshim to see her power over me. But it’s also the truth because, in a way, thisisus. Me belonging to her, her refusing to acknowledge she also belongs to me.

Her fingers brush against my jaw, and I know I’m caving. Because the only thing I’ve ever been able to deny her is pain—herpain, but never mine. So once again, I’ll let her bring it into our dynamic the only way we know how.

Fighting the acquiescence building in my chest, I reach for the last hope left in me and desperately force the word out.

“Ketterdam.” The fictional city fromSix of Crowsand the safeword neither of us has ever used. Until now.

In the eternal pause that follows, I see her again at thirteen, reading that book on her pile of mats while the world spun meaninglessly around her. I see her lying under me the first time, glowing with desire, nothing but trust in her eyes. I remember my terror and awe, and the way I tried to be careful but couldn’t. Because she wasGia,and she was there, offering me everything I’d ever wanted. And when I’d sunk into her at last, there was nothing careful or gentle about it. She’d cried out in pain that tasted of wonder and locked her legs around my hips before I could pull back and do it over, do it right. I clung frozen, face buried in her neck, my whole world narrowed to the tight heat of her pussy gripping my cock, while she fucking came all over me. And then she’d said my name in a voice I’d never heard before, and I was done forever after.

Now she’s tugging at my hand, drawing me back toward Gale, and I hear her voice through the rushing in my ears.

“Count it down.”

I go hollow, nothing left of me but my body and the voice, Shadow’s voice, and I’m Pavlov’s fucking dog.

“Ten.”

“On your knees, Lyot.”

“Nine.”

I fall to my knees.

“Eight.”

“Show him your beautiful cock.”

My hand is trembling as I open my eyes.

“Seven.”

“Show him.” I shove the front ofmy sweatpants down, taking my briefs with them.

“Six.”

My cock is as hard as it’s ever been, pressing against my abs. She stands over me, and I can’t not watch her.

“Touch it.”

“Five.”

“Stroke it for me.”

I wrap my trembling fingers around myself. Once. Twice.

“Four.”

“So good. So fucking beautiful.”

Another stroke.

“Three.”

“Enough.” My hand stills, falls away. I’m drowning, and she reaches out as if to touch my cheek. I can feel the heat radiating from her skin.