“When I give you your signal, this is how wide you spread for me.”
What? I gaped at him. “Signal?”
He snapped his fingers in my face.
I lost the tenuous control on my emotions. “Are you fucking serious?”
Oh, it was the wrong thing to say. I was unaware his eyebrow could arch all the way up his forehead, like a barometer of displeasure. His fingers curled inward and he raked his nails over my thighs, leaving tracks that stung.
“Yeah, I’m fucking serious,” he growled. “If I want access to you, you’ll give it to me at the goddamn snap of my fingers.”
Chapter
Twelve
Luka launched to his feet, blocking most of the overhead light, and backlit like that . . . he looked menacing and scary. I sat upright, my back straight as a board and my knees pulled together. I didn’t like being talked down to or scolded.
It happened in slow motion. His hand extended out to me until it was an inch from the tip of my nose, and his fingers moved, producing a crack that reverberated like thunder. Play your part, Addison. It was humiliating and I wasn’t sure if I could do it. Spreading my legs for him on command made me feel sick and inferior.
But if I didn’t, what would happen? Would he retrieve his belt from the bedroom and find a different way to use it on me? Or would his powerful hands wrap around my throat and leave marks this time? I was too terrified to find out.
I peeled my legs apart and looked away, not wanting him to see I was blinking back tears.
“Jesus, you look so good.” He was back on his knees again, only this time his hands smoothed gently up my thighs, captured my waist, and pulled me tight to him. His mouth dropped kisses from the base of my neck to the shell of my ear.
He’d said he controlled every part of me, so I put myself on autopilot and found a way to retreat inward. He wasn’t kissing me anymore, it was a husk. A shell who simply looked like me. When he ordered me to kiss him back, my body performed the task, but the connection he’d been able to forge before didn’t work this time. He was sending lust and passion, but receiving none in return.
Abruptly he pulled back, mumbled something about needing to hurry, and tugged us both to our feet. When the shower was over and he handed me a towel, I flung it quickly around myself, relieved. He had no problem being naked, and I was annoyed at how comfortable he was without a stitch of clothing on.
“What else do you need to get ready?” he asked.
My face heated. “New underwear?” He’d brought me the dress and a clean bra, but forgotten that.
His expression was plain. “No. You won’t wear anything under your dress.”
It was crushing, and went against everything I knew. I was meeting his father and he wanted me bare and exposed? This was another instance of Luka flexing his power over me, and I wasn’t sure how much more I could take.
We both dressed quickly, not saying a word, and when it was done, he crossed his arms and casually leaned against the bathroom counter, watching me expectantly.
“If you had full control over my closet, why the dress?” I asked, towel drying my hair.
“Because it’s important you make a good impression.”
I slowed my movements, considering his statement. He’d told me his dad was an asshole. That didn’t sound like Luka cared much for his father. Why was he concerned with what the asshole thought of me? And wasn’t Luka an adult?
“I also assume,” Luka continued, “you’ll want to look your best. You’ll feel more comfortable like this.”
“I’d feel more comfortable with underwear.”
Amusement flashed and then vanished from him. “No. I like you like this, knowing I can touch you anytime I want.” To prove his point, his hand darted between my knees and traveled up swiftly, brushing through my cleft.
I gasped and stepped away.
“So shy again. Where’s the girl who likes my belt wrapped around her delicate, little throat?”
He was saying it to get a reaction from me, and I unfortunately delivered. My gaze swung to the floor in confusion. My bravery seemed to be directly proportional to the amount of control he held over me. Now that I was dressed, I felt like I had some power back, but my courage had evaporated.
“That was . . .” I started, but had no idea how to finish the sentence. “That wasn’t who I am.”
He made a noise which was almost like a chuckle, but it was dark and wicked. “You’re wrong.” Luka had his hands on me in an instant, creeping around my waist and sliding up my back. “I’m gonna rattle the monster’s cage.” He brushed his lips over mine. “And then I’m gonna let her out.”