Two for Alex

Terrified, she began to cry.

Chapter 15

The light flicked on and Alex’s eyes flew open, her heart flopping against her ribs like an engine suddenly turning over. She lay very still, not sure what was expected, terrified to find out.

A gentle hand touched her shoulder. “Alexandra. Your Master is here.” She could feel him releasing the clips at her wrists and her arms fell limply to her sides, numb from lack of circulation. He released her ankle cuffs and pulled her over onto her back.

She closed her eyes, trying to push the panic rising in her gut back down into a manageable ball of fear. “Look at me. I’m ready to hear what you have to say.”

That I fucking hate you? That if I had a gun, I’d kill you?

In the time he’d left her alone, she’d begun to make her plans. She would lull him into believing she was going for his crap. Then, when his guard was down, she’d make her escape.

She looked at him, not having to feign the fear she knew showed in her face. “I’m—I’m sorry, Sir.” The tremble in her voice was real.

Anthony’s dark eyes bore into hers. She never wanted to see his movie-star handsome face again. He rubbed her arms and blood tingled back through them. Her wrists ached and she wanted to pull her hands away from him. She didn’t dare.

“That’s good. A good start, Alexandra.” Anthony stroked her cheek. “I must confess I hadn’t realized how poorly they had trained you.” He shook his head. “No matter, I like a challenge. Now tell me just exactly what you are sorry for. I need to be certain you understand your errors and won’t commit them again.”

Shit. She hadn’t planned on having to make a speech. She was thirsty and her face felt swollen and hot from the tears she had shed, her eyes gritty and dry. What did he want her to say? She closed her eyes a moment to collect her thoughts, praying she would get it right.

“Um, I was disobedient, Sir. I, um, I struggled and didn’t flow with the pain.”

“Yes. What else?”

What else? What else?

“I said I needed to be let down, Sir. I should have waited for you to make that decision.”

“That’s correct. And you used your safeword.” He spat the word as if it were a curse. “That tells me you don’t trust me. I demand your trust.”

You’re wrong. You’re wrong, you’re wrong. I had to use my safeword because you were too fucking clueless to get it any other way.

Alex had to bite her lip to keep from screaming. She clenched her fists, barely resisting the desire to smash them into his face. You can’t demand trust, you fuck. You earn it.

Aloud, she kept her voice as meek as she could, forcing the underlying rage to remain at bay. “Yes, Sir. I’m sorry, Sir.”

“And that’s not all. You insulted me. You called me a name. Do you remember what you called me?”

Fucking bastard. And it’s what you are, you fucking bastard.

“No, Sir,” she lied.

He stared at her with hard, flat eyes. “I don’t believe you.”

She stared back, her lips pressed tightly closed.

“Let us be clear,” he continued. “I don’t ever want to hear such language from that beautiful mouth again, do you understand me? If you speak to me with such disrespect again, I’ll be forced to keep you gagged at all times except when I choose to feed you or fuck your face.”

He traced a line with his finger over her lips. Alex quelled an urgent desire to bite him. She had to play her cards right. She had to pretend to go along. It was her only hope.

“Yes, Sir,” she whispered. It was easy to let the tears well into her eyes. “I’m sorry, Sir. Please forgive me.”

Anthony smiled gently and wiped away her tear with his fingertip. “Don’t cry, lovely girl. This is your first experience with a real Master. I will teach you. You have finally found a man who will take you where you need to go.”

He stood and held out his hand to her. Alex took it and allowed herself to be hoisted upright. Her legs felt rubbery and a wave of dizziness assailed her. As she swayed, Anthony caught her in his strong arms.

“It’s past dinnertime. You must be hungry.” The moment he said it her stomach roared into life, rumbling and twisting. She was starving.

“Yes, Sir. And thirsty too, Sir.”

“Excellent. I’m sure you’ll be earning the right to eat and drink very soon. Let’s go downstairs.” He helped her down the folding stairs, keeping his hand firmly on her shoulder as she picked her way down in front of him.

“Do you need to use the WC?”

“The what?”

“The bathroom.”

“Oh. Yes, please.”

She was dismayed when he followed her into the bathroom, though she wasn’t surprised. She sat on the toilet and closed her eyes, willing her bladder to empty. She eventually managed to pee, and was relieved that he let her wipe herself. She flushed the toilet and moved to the sink to wash her hands and splash cold water over her face. She managed to slurp several handfuls of water in the process. Nothing had ever tasted as sweet.