Her sharp gasp rips through the air but it’s nowhere near enough to stop me as I move, dragging her behind me, focusing my attention on the door that leads down to the basement.

Many, many times over the past few weeks I’ve imagined bringing her down here. But never did I think the situation would be like this.

The heavy door slams behind us, echoing as we descend the stairs before the sound of Abigail’s heavy breathing takes over.

My skin prickles as the air cools around us.

Just being down here, I relax.

From the moment we stepped over the threshold, I was in control. Nothing beyond this basement matters.

It’s just me and her.

As we emerge in the main room with a huge double bed in the middle, Abigail’s hand begins to tremble in mine.

“You can say no,” I tell her, giving her an out while I can.

If we get much farther inside, I’m not sure it’s going to be possible.

“I’m here, Elliot. For you.”

Her words gut me in the best possible way.

If she’s expecting me to tow her towards the bed, then she’s going to be disappointed.

Turning to the side, I march towards the closed door on the left.

There’s a good chance that the girls have told her what’s in here. And even if they haven’t, Abigail has probably heard enough rumours to fuel her imagination.

But while what lies beyond this door might excite me, I’ve never brought a girl in here.

I’ve always been too terrified too.

Too terrified that I’ll lose control.

And I can’t fucking do that.

Not with a random girl who has no idea who she’s dealing with.

I shouldn’t with Abigail either… but…

Fuck.

I need it.

She knows it too.

“Oh my God,” she whispers as I pull her to a stop beside me in front of the St Andrews Cross.

It’s made of dark walnut with thick black chains hanging from each point.

I can understand why she’s scared. Something tells me that she’s not going to back down though.

“Last chance,” I warn her. “You can walk out now or?—”

“I’m not going anywhere,” she says, walking in front of me and holding her arms out. “Do your worst, Elliot.” She leans forward and stretches up on her tiptoes, her lips brushing my ear. “Make it hurt.”

All the air rushes from my lungs as I reach out, curling my fingers around the bottom of her t-shirt and dragging it up her body.