A look of utter disgust passes over her face, but is soon replaced by an innocent smile. The change is so sudden; it shakes me up, but I don’t give it a moment’s thought once she speaks up.
“Yes, it was a birthday present. Don’t take it away from me.”
“Why would I?” I ask, feigning innocence, even though we both know I’m eager to rip the thing off her delicate neck. “I like it on you. It suits you.”
“Then let go. You’re holding on too tight.” Her hands fly up, swatting at mine, but I restrain them behind her lap.
“Which part of this aren’t you getting, angel?” I ask coolly. “You’re a toy, and I’m a man who’s going to spend the rest of his life using you. Get your brattiness in order and come here.”
I pull on her hand and she sheepishly follows me down the hallway into the playroom which we’ve been in before. The puppies whimper when I shut the door in their face. We need some privacy, my angel and me. I need to teach her some much-needed manners.
“Would you like to be tied up again?” I ask menacingly, pulling a bar stool to a wooden beam in the middle of the room. “I know how much you liked it last time.”
She hesitates, too scared to answer. I can almost feel her embarrassment, and my cock hardens for the girl I can’t have - not for months. I shake my head to get the forbidden thought of her out of my mind.
“Sit down here,” I order her. The moment she obeys, I pull a pocket knife from my suit and slice into her dress. She gasps as the fabric falls open, and I admire her naked body without touching her.
I make quick work of tying her up, admiring the way the silver pendant falls on her ivory skin. It’s a sharp contrast, and as pretty as it is to look at, I still have the urge to rip that one sign of Rain and Heath off my betrothed.
“Your legs here.”
I motion to the legs of the chair and tie her legs to them. Her wrists are tied in front of her, forcing her to hug the wooden beam, her bare nipples rubbing against the textured wood. I tie her hands in a way that binds her to the beam and step back to admire my work.
“Good girl,” I mutter. “You didn’t even complain much today.”
She glares at me, her expression saying a thousand words about what she thinks of me.
“Well, as pretty as you look strung up there,” I smile. “I have a meeting to get to, and I’m already running late.”
I step closer to her, using my thumb to part her lips. She gasps, taking a sharp intake of air as I softly ask, “Do you remember what day it is, angel?”
I expect her eyes to light up with sudden understanding once she catches my meaning. But I don’t expect her to look so guilty.
Hanging her head, Tallulah nods.
“Speak up. Don’t make me gag you.”
“I remember what day it is, Xavier.”
“Tell me, then.”
“It’s the first day of winter.”
“And what does that mean, angel?”
She swallows thickly, avoiding my impenetrable gaze. “It means you get to touch me.”
“And what else, Tallulah?”
“Everything I begged for before,” she mutters. “But I don’t want it anymore.”
Amused, I raise a brow at her. “Is that so? I guess I’ll just leave you here to think about what you just said to me. Need to get to that meeting. Be a good girl for me, Tallulah.”
I lean in to whisper in her ear with a deviant smile.
“Drip for me.”
With those words, I leave her strung up in the precarious position. I walk to the dining room, fixing my cufflinks as I paint a brilliant smile on my face before entering the room where a table is laden with expensive, mouthwatering dishes.
“There he is.” Saul beams from the head of the table, which instantly darkens my vision. He seems to notice, blanching before moving his plate and glass. A maid hurriedly cleans up the spot for me. “Sorry, Padron. Didn’t know if you were coming or not.”
“Well, here I am,” I smirk, sitting down as more maids set up my cutlery and pour me drinks. “Let’s get this party started. And just wait until you see the surprise I have for you.”
“So where is this surprise you were talking about?” Saul goads me as we walk to the first floor. “Do we finally get to meet your captive?”
“Exactly right,” I smirk at him. “You know me too well, Saul. One day, I’ll have to cut your throat for that.”
We both laugh, but he is filled with uncertainty, as if a part of him believes I’d kill him. I fucking might. If he did something to Tallulah, I’d not hesitate before cutting his balls off and feeding them to him.