Page 54 of Slave

Suddenly, he released his hold on me and took a step back. His grip had been so strong that I still felt it even after it was gone.

The look in his eyes was full of hunger, and in that moment I had no doubt that he wanted me just as he said he did. That knowledge made me nervous, but for some reason not as much as I thought it would. My heart was pounding hard against my chest as he continued to stare.

Then suddenly, the spell was broken. He turned, retook his seat, and picked up the magazine. Without looking at me again, he said, “I like that one. Go try on another.”

As quickly as I could, I fled back to the safety of the dressing room to change.

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Stephan

I sat perfectly still as she turned and almost tripped on her way back into the dressing room. It wasn’t until she’d disappeared that I allowed myself to breathe again.

What in the world had I been thinking, declaring myself like that?

When Brianna came out wearing that deceptively innocent outfit, something inside me clicked and took over. Millions of other women her age wore similar clothing every day, but on Brianna it looked like the most provocative outfit I’d ever seen.

The jeans hugged her curves perfectly, leaving my fingers itching to grab a hold of her hips and wrap her legs around my waist. And that top . . . I groaned just thinking about it again. It was chaste, really. Everything that should be covered was, but there was just a hint of cleavage showing, not to mention that narrow strip of skin left visible.

Clenching my eyes shut, I ordered myself to calm down. Sitting here remembering and thinking about what I wanted to do to her was pointless. Her reaction just a few minutes ago proved that. I just hoped my stupid words didn’t destroy the trust we’d built.

Everything I’d told her was true. I wouldn’t touch her until she asked me to. That didn’t mean telling her that in the middle of the local mall had been the most brilliant decision of my life.

I was so distracted by my thoughts, I only vaguely registered that another couple had entered the store. It wasn’t until they came close to the dressing room where I was waiting for Brianna that they completely drew my attention.

“Come on, baby. Try it on for me. Please?”

“I don’t know if I should,” the woman replied back flirtatiously.

“What do I have to do? Do you want me to beg? I will you know.”

I could see them now out of the corner of my eye. They were standing at the entrance to the fitting room, and their volume didn’t provide for a private conversation. Either they didn’t care or they were totally oblivious to my presence.

“Hm. Begging sounds good,” the woman said, wrapping her arms around the man’s neck with obvious amusement. “Beg me,” she said with a little more force.

I was ready to completely dismiss this game they were obviously playing and go back to my magazine when I heard a small noise come from inside the fitting room. I was up and out of my seat before I even thought about it.

I found a row of six doors behind the curtain, but only one of them was closed. The closer I got, the louder the sound I’d originally heard became. I tried the doorknob, but it was locked.

Just as I was considering my options, the sales lady came in waving her arms around, telling me I wasn’t allowed back here. Completely ignoring her protests, I easily removed the key ring hanging from her wrist and began looking for the one that would fit the lock and get me through the door.

The woman was still yelling at me and had been joined by the couple that had been standing outside, but I kept my focus on the task in front of me.

Finally, after trying the third key, I felt the lock turn and the door gave. Brianna was naked from the waist up, huddled in the corner on the floor, whimpering. Without a thought to anyone other than her, I crossed the small room, grabbed the nearest shirt, and knelt in front of her. I reached out with the garment in my hand to try and cover her naked torso, but she flinched away from me and her volume increased.

“Brianna?”

“Please,” she gasped. “Please don’t hurt me. Please.”

Tears were running down her cheeks in a steady stream, and she had a blank look on her face. I knew she wasn’t here. She didn’t know it was me in front of her.

I threw down the shirt and tried once again to touch her, this time going for her face. Again, she flinched but not nearly as much as before. Brianna was still whimpering, but she let me raise her chin.

“Brianna, look at me. It’s Stephan. You’re here with me and you’re safe. You’re safe,” I said, then repeated myself with more force. “You’re safe.” Slowly, I saw recognition register in her eyes and felt her pulse begin to slow back down.

“Is she all right?” I heard someone behind me ask.

That was a loaded question. Instead of answering, I kept my focus on Brianna and asked, “Maybe we could get a glass of water?”

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