Page 31 of Truth

Stephan leaned down and brushed his mouth against mine before using his tongue to trace the outline of my lips. Then, to my great disappointment, he was gone.

I opened my eyes to find him looking down at me, smiling. “I laid the clothes I want you to wear on the bed. I’m going to take my shower. Be ready by the time I get out.”

Without another word, he walked into the bathroom, leaving me standing there.

I didn’t move until I heard the shower turn on in the other room. It was enough to wake me from whatever trance I was in, and I went to see what clothes he’d picked out for me.

Stephan didn’t often choose the clothes I was to wear—he’d only done it twice before—but I didn’t mind. Although he did tend to pick skirts instead of the pants I favored, I was learning that skirts and dresses weren’t so bad. Not when Stephan was around anyway.

The outfit he’d chosen for me was a lot like the one I’d worn on Friday to his office, except instead of a skirt and top, it was a dress. It was dark green and had a skirt that flared out a little. It was pretty.

Beside the dress was a matching bra and panty set, also a dark green color. I reached out and ran my fingers along the edge of the lace and silk before putting them on. They felt nice and soft against my skin.

The dress was next and then a pair of nude thigh-high stockings with lace around the tops. I was just slipping into the tan heels he’d selected when he strolled out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He stopped and stared, looking me over from head to toe. I felt warm under his gaze, and I instinctively looked down.

His bare feet come into view and then disappeared as he moved behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist. I jumped a little, and he chuckled, burying his face in my neck. “You look beautiful,” he whispered.

“Thank you.”

He trailed his hands down my dress and then gathered the hem until he was touching skin. My breathing began to accelerate as I waited to see what he’d do next. When he reached the top of my leg, he stopped.

“What are you thinking, Brianna?”

It took me a moment to register what he’d asked and that he was waiting for me to answer. “I’m wondering... what you’re going to do.”

“Is there something you want me to do?” he asked as he began drawing circles on the inside of my thighs.

I sucked in a ragged breath as he moved higher and higher.

“Tell me what you want.” I could feel his breath as it ghosted across my neck, causing me to shiver.

When he reached the edge of my panties, he let his fingers hover there, unmoving. My chest clenched. “I want...”

“Yes,” he said, kissing his way up my neck and then taking my earlobe between his teeth.

I gasped. “I want... you to touch me.”

“I am touching you, sweetheart. Is there some place specific you want me to touch you?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me.”

As my mind tried to think of a way to tell him what I wanted, I froze. Ian, and all the men he’d given me to, flashed through my mind. All the words I’d heard them mumble, yell, and spit at me in disgust repeated over and over. It was as if they were there. It wasn’t a memory. It was real.

Hands. I felt hands on my face. Gentle hands. Hands I knew.

“Brianna. Listen to my voice. Remember where you are. What do you hear? What can you feel around you? Tell me.”

My throat felt tight as I opened my mouth and tried to speak. “Hands,” I choked out.

“Good girl. Now tell me what else. Concentrate.”

“C-cold. I feel... cold.”

The hands left my face and arms circled around my back and shoulders. Then there was warmth. Warmth and the clean smell of soap I recognized. Stephan.

I reached for him, wrapping my arms around his waist, and holding as tight as I could. He brushed his lips across my forehead. “I feel... your arms... holding me. Your lips. You.”

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