Christmas Captive

He leaned forward then, and he heard my gasp as his fingers gently wrapped around my neck.

"I know you're fucking desperate for it," he muttered. "Tell me how much you want it. Tell me how badly you want me to kiss you."

"P-Please." I flushed, embarrassed by my own neediness. "Grayson, I..."

"Begging already." He smirked. "I'll only make it worse for you."

I swallowed thickly, resisting the urge to ask for more. Our lips were dangerously close together, close enough for me to smell the alcohol he'd had mixing with the mint of his toothpaste.

"Get in my bed," Grayson growled. "Right now. I want you in my arms tonight. From now on, you sleep in my bed, Kitty."

My heart swelled in my chest. Before I got the chance to pick myself up, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me to my new bedroom himself.Chapter 9

Grayson

I cradled her in my arms for the rest of the night, and we woke up together in the guest bedroom. Her body was small and soft in my arms, and I cherished every breath she took as I held her. I had to resist the urge to bury my fingers in her silky depths as she slept, having to make peace with gently brushing my fingertips against her breasts instead. I wanted her. I wanted her more than I’d wanted any of the other toys. The others were merely amusement, a way to pass the time. With Kitty, it felt real.

We had breakfast together while I explained I’d taken the day off for her. She seemed excited by the idea, but there was a note of sadness in her eyes I couldn’t miss, and it brought me down, too.

Finally, after we were done with breakfast, and we settled down in the living room to admire the skyline and read, I decided to address it.

“Why the sad eyes?”

She hesitated; unsure whether she should tell me the truth. Finally, her lips parted, and the words came pouring out, as if she’d waited years to answer my question. “I’m just… worried that you’ll force me.”

“Force you?” I repeated, raising a brow. “Force you to do what?”

“To… you know.” She flushed again. “To have sex with you.”

“I won’t force you.” My voice was gentler, kinder now. “I will make you beg for it, and I will fuck you someday, when you’re ready. I’ll edge you to the point you’ll be begging me for more, but I’ll never force you, Amicia. I told you—I’m not an evil man.”

“Then why would you make me wait?” she demanded, making me smile as I touched her cheek, brushing it with my fingers.

“Because I like to watch you squirm,” I muttered. “And I know you’re going to be so damn beautiful when you’re begging me for more.”

“More what?” her words were barely above a whisper.

“More pain… more pleasure… more everything.” I kissed the top of her head, finding it remarkable how attached I’d gotten to the sweet little toy after merely a week. Still, I only had two weeks left. After that, she’d be gone just like the rest of them, replaced by a new toy. Why did the thought of it make me hurt in my chest, though?

“You think I will enjoy it?” She sounded incredulous, making me laugh out loud.

“Oh, I know you will. Now, don’t you want to know what we’ll be doing tonight if you behave yourself?”

“Yes,” she nodded.

“Tell me properly, use your words.” I tipped her chin back with my fingers, making her look up at me. “Make a full sentence, Kitty.”

“I want to know what we’ll be doing tonight if I behave myself,” she muttered, blushing as she added a nearly silent “Sir…” at the end.

“Good girl.” I felt her body tense at the two little words. They were all the same in the end. So needy, so desperate to hear their favorite praise. Kitty was just like the other girls—eager to be acknowledged, desperate to be complimented. “We’re going to see the Nutcracker ballet at the London Opera House.”

“W-What?” She jumped to her feet, bubbling over with excitement. “That’s…”

“I’m glad you’re so excited.” I laughed. “The tickets are ready and there should be an outfit waiting for you. You need only behave yourself, Kitty.”

“I’ll behave myself,” she rushed to say. “I promise… Sir.”

“Good, I expect nothing less of you. Now get back to your book and I’ll get back to mine. You’ve got something to look forward to now, don’t you?”

She nodded, the faint hint of a smile not leaving her lips as she settled in the loveseat next to me. I placed a palm on her thigh, making her shiver as I grabbed her. She was my property, after all—at least for another few weeks. And I wanted to make her feel like a toy.

While we read together, I allowed my fingertips to wander all over her skin, gently smoothing down her dress. In moments, I was touching her bare skin until even I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t heard her whispered moans every time our skin made contact.