It would all result in a total train wreck and I wasn’t sure we’d ever be able to pick up the pieces. I wasn’t sure anyone would come out of this alive.
I heard a click behind me and my heart jumped into my throat. I turned, hungrily taking in the sight of Jade in that gold dress that I first saw her in. The room imploded in light. My mouthwas parched as I let my eyes wander, this time, feeling minimal guilt.
“You like this dress, huh?” Jade said something, but I was still studying the way the straps of her heels wrapped around her ankles. Up, I pulled my gaze higher, indulging in the sight of her bare legs.
Think of something else. Pickles, dusty old men, garbage dumpsters. Think of anything to not get hard.
Because why was this vixen making me hard all the fucking time? The last time I was with a woman—Gianna, to be precise—I couldn’t get it up. And now? It was like my dick was living through a resurrection—just a fucking jack-in-the-box at the mere sight and smell of Jade.
She strutted closer, my logical brain dying in that moment. “Mm-hmm. This littlewhoredress makes you drool,” Jade prompted me, but I had a response ready, despite the lack of any thoughts.
“Every dress you wear makes me drool, Jade.”
Looking a little lost, she stared up at me, blinking so innocently.Goddamn, I stared too. Technically,Ishould have been leading.Ishould have been in control.
Slowly, Jade gathered her hair into a high ponytail, never looking away. I’d never seen her this close with her hair up and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to take any more transformations tonight without combusting.
She was objectively the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid my eyes on. Everything about her got my blood pumping. She glowed. Emanated some kind of light that beckoned me to her.
“You have the zip ties?”
I nodded, ripping my gaze away from her. She wore dark makeup and the same lipstick from that first night. Yes. I remembered every detail.
Yes. It was a problem.
I pointed toward the wall and Jade clicked her heels, slowly stepping toward it. Gracefully, she took a seat on the plastic chair.
It was my turn.
I looked her over, noticing the way she placed her feet together and her hands behind her back, as if it were muscle memory. I crouched down, wrapping the zip ties around her ankles, the brightly illuminated house our only witness.
My fingers grazed her skin, and it almost burned. I pulled on the zip tie, thinking it was enough, but she giggled quietly. “You should probably tighten it. Don’t have any mercy. Just like that first night.”
Her words cut me deep—I was the one who gave the command to restrain her. I pulled harder, but slowly, making sure not to hurt her.
“Wait, actually…” She paused, looking around uncertainly. “I…I need to be crying at least. Or have signs of crying.”
That’s right.
“Do you want to use water?” I proposed, still crouching in front of her, her knees at my eye level.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged, thinking it over. “He’ll dissect the video. What if he notices it’s not real? He’s…he’s very skilled. He’ll pay attention to that.” She bit her bottom lip, deciding what to do. “Just make me cry.” She threw the request out like it was a normal, everyday occurrence.
Instead, we both laughed. It was strange—to laugh with her. The sound was light and bubbly, andgenuine.
“Um. What usually makes you cry?”
She thought about it, then listed a few things. “Animals being hurt? Injustice? Child exploitation? When I’m being restrained by a few large men? Gagged and bound?” She leaned in closer, whispering the last words.
“Are you going to hold it over my head forever?” I whispered too, her words breaking my heart.
“You planning to keep me forever?”
I didn’t need to think about it, I could be honest with myself now—yes. A resounding yes. I wanted to keep herforever.I wanted the clock to stop ticking and the days to stop rolling. I just wanted her here with me.
“Would you like that?”
“You’re a master deflector.” Her eyes sparkled as she settled into the chair.