Page 34 of Bought

But I didn’t.

“Five hundred thousand is a lot of money.” My voice was rougher than I wanted it to be. “From a cursory inspection, it appears you’re worth the price physically. But now I need to see you perform.”

“P-Perform?” she echoed, breaking another rule.

I dropped my hands from her thighs and moved over to the nightstand. She watched me, wide-eyed, but I didn’t explain. It appeared I wasn’t done with her after all.

Pulling open the drawer I looked inside and indeed, there were a few supplies that I made sure this room was always stocked with since I used it on the odd occasion. Not the ball gag I would have preferred, but a length of soft cloth that was more suited to her anyway.

I took it out of the drawer and turned to the bed.

Her gaze dropped to the cloth and widened. “Is that…a gag?”

“You spoke out of turn.” I lifted the cloth and pulled it tight between my hands in front of her. “And you need something to help you stop breaking the rules.”

I lifted a brow, giving her a moment to use her safe word, but she only stared at the cloth then looked up at me, defiance blazing. She didn’t like it and there was fear beneath that defiance, yet she wasn’t going to give in either.

“Not saying your safe word when you need to will earn another punishment,” I reminded her. “Just so you’re aware.”

But there was nothing but silver sparks in her eyes as she shook her head in an adamant no.

Brave little sub. Silly little sub.

If this was her way of pushing back at me, she’d soon learn it wasn’t a good idea. In the meantime, I’d keep an eye on her and if she was too far out of her comfort zone, I’d stop.

“Open your mouth,” I ordered.

She was panting slightly, her pupils fully dilated, but she did as she was told, though not before baring her teeth at me.

“Brat,” I murmured as I eased the cloth between her teeth. “You won’t be able to tell me if you’re uncomfortable, so I want you to shake your head if it’s too much.”

She shrugged as if she didn’t care, but she was biting down hard on that gag, and I could see apprehension in her eyes. But I could live with that, so I tied the gag behind her head and then stepped back, surveying her.

What I wanted next from her would be confronting, but maybe it was for the best. If she didn’t want it, then I’d end our little scene and that would be that.

Reluctance stirred inside me, but I ignored it.

Putting a hand on her shoulder, I turned her into her side and tugged open the tie around her wrists, unbinding them. Then I put her on her back again.

“I want to see if everything works as it should,” I said at her wide-eyed look. “So, in order to fully determine your sexual responsiveness, I’ll need to watch you come. I know I told you that you weren’t to touch yourself, but since you haven’t earned my touch yet, you will have to.”

A wave of red washed over her skin, and I studied her face in case her apprehension had deepened into fear, but there was nothing in her eyes but silver sparks. She might not want to do this, but it was clear she wasn’t going to let her own reluctance stop her.

A shot of heat went through me, my cock aching against my zipper, but I ignored it. She was a strong, brave sub who deserved to know that I approved.

“Good,” I said. “You have pleased me. So now you can please me again.” I folded my arms. “Proceed.”

13

Zara

Oh, God, he couldn’t be serious, could he? He couldn’t want me to touch myself while he watched? Yet there was no escaping that icy blue gaze.

Yes, that’s exactly what he wanted me to do.

I quivered in embarrassment and yet bizarrely, the pressure between my thighs become more demanding. As if I hadn’t thought not five minutes ago that I certainly wouldn’t be touching myself while he was around, let alone with him watching.

As if there was nothing I’d rather do.