Page 34 of Desire

Sighing, Emma made her way to the elevator, her finger hovering over the button for her floor. But at the last second, she punched the number for the lower level instead. If she was going to do this, really do this, then she needed to see the dungeon again. Needed to imagine herself in that space, on her knees before Dante, without her mask to hide behind.

The elevator delivered her to the darkened hallway with a muted ding, and Emma stepped out on shaky legs. The air felt different down here, charged with a dark energy that prickled along her skin and tightened her nipples. The muffled sounds of pleasure and pain drifted out from behind the locked doors, a forbidden soundtrack.

Emma drifted past the dungeon that she had visited before, trailing her fingers over the elaborate scrollwork. The wood was warm, almost vibrating beneath her touch. As if the collective desires of the club’s patrons had seeped into the very walls.

She closed her eyes, picturing Dante looming over her. His big body caging her in, those blunt fingers wrapping around her throat. Owning her.

Cherishing her...

A whimper escaped her lips, and Emma stumbled back from the door. Who was she kidding? Dante would take one look at her, stripped bare of all her pretenses, and send her away in disgust. Why would he want a timid little mouse like her when he could have his pick of more experienced subs? Women who wouldn’t balk at his darkest, most depraved demands.

But even as the doubts crowded in, choking her, a small voice rose up to defy them. The same voice that had led her to slip on a mask in the first place and descend into this hidden world.

She was tired of being a coward, tired of letting her fears rule her. Maybe Dante would reject her, maybe he would shatter her heart into a million jagged pieces. But she had to know for sure. Had to take the risk.

As she rode the elevator back to her apartment, she entertained the idea of defying Dante’s instructions, wearing the mask in spite of his orders. And if Dante didn’t approve, if he decided to punish her for her bit of rebellion, well...

Maybe that was exactly what she was hoping for.

Chapter Ten

EMMA

The day passed in a blur. Emma just hoped she hadn’t screwed up too badly because she didn’t remember a damned thing she had done today. She was too obsessed with her dungeon appointment that evening with Dante.

Finally—finally—the clock showed nine p.m. and it was time for her to see Master Dante. She was wearing her Queen Mab outfit and, yes, she was still wearing the mask. Jana and Leo shook their head in disapproval when she presented herself outside Dante’s dungeon. Jana opened the door. Emma hesitated before entering. She knew she shouldn’t have worn the mask, but she couldn’t help her desire to hide behind it.

The door made a heavy clunk as it closed, and she heard a latch being drawn across the door. She was locked in here. Before she could wonder if she was alone, Dante emerged from the shadows, his eyes glinting in the dim light. He was clad head-to-toe in black leather, looking every inch the Dom she had been fantasizing about all day. Except, he seemed more intense, more dangerous than usual. His eyes were dark pools of desire, and she could feel the heat emanating from his body as he approached her.

“I am displeased,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Tell me why I shouldn’t send you away.”

Emma swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. But here in the dungeon, masked, it was easy to step away from her shyness. Sure, she was still hiding, but she felt enough bravery to stammer out, “I...I was afraid you wouldn’t want me if you saw who I really am.”

Dante stepped closer, his gaze raking over her body. Emma held her breath as she felt his warmth envelop her. “And who do you think you are?” he asked softly, his hand reaching up to caress her cheek.

Emma trembled under his touch, her body responding to his proximity. “I don’t even know anymore,” she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.