Page 199 of I Will Break You

She shifts the zip tie into place and pulls them so tight they’re digging into her skin.

“Well done. Now, watch me.” I raise my joined forearms above my head and bring my arms down to my stomach, yanking my elbows so far apart that my shoulder blades touch.

Amethyst mirrors the movement without the required force and scowls. “What am I doing wrong?”

“Try again with more speed. Remember, your life depends on this.”

Determination hardens her gaze, and she sucks in a deep breath. This time, when she raises her arms, her expression loses all traces of uncertainty. I step back, watching the beginnings of her transformation. She pulls her arms down and wrenches them apart. The zip tie breaks open with a snap.

“I did it,” she says, her eyes widening.

“That’s my girl,” I reply with a smile. “Are you ready to try again?”

We run through the exercise once more to make sure she’s perfected the movement, then I roll her onto her front and tie her arms behind her back.

Amethyst shivers, her breath quickening.

Her excitement is fueling my own, and my body hums with desire. I would pound into her from behind, holding her hair like reins and making her scream my name, but we have a whole lifetime to fuck. I only have a window of time to teach Amethyst to survive.

“Stay in the moment, little ghost,” I say and push her wrists together. My fingers linger on her skin for longer than necessary as I ask, “How will you position your arms?”

She pushes them apart, laying her fists on her ass cheeks.

“That’s right.”

I tie her up and sit back, letting her release the slack and wriggle free. Next, we run through the exercise again before I push her wrists together and tie the restraint tight.

The sight of her naked and tied on my bed is intoxicating enough, but watching her struggle against the restraints is like having a hungry mouth around my cock. Her muscles flex andstrain as she tries to break her bonds, and I can almost imagine her beneath me as I fuck her into submission.

She clenches her wrists so tightly that her knuckles turn white. “This one is more difficult,” she mutters and rolls to the side. “Can you demonstrate?”

It takes a heartbeat to remember this is an exercise drill and not a private showing of the most beautiful woman in the world. With a reluctant sigh, I bend over double with my arms raised behind my back and perform the reverse of the first movement.

“Oh.” She shifts to the edge of the bed, drops her dainty feet on the floor, and stands.

I step back, resisting the urge to shove her on the mattress. My cock presses painfully against my zipper, begging for release. My mind races with images of every possible way I will claim Amethyst, but she needs a taste of success before I add any distracting challenges.

When her eyes meet mine, they’re shining with vitality. I can’t tell which is driving more life into her—the impending danger or this exercise in hope. Either way, I retain my composure. She’s more alive now than she’s ever been in the entire time we’ve been together.

Muscles tensing, she repeats the maneuver, her arms moving in a precise arc. The zip tie opens with a satisfying snap, and she straightens.

“I did it again!”

“Good girl.” My voice comes out huskier than intended, but desire has broken through my restraint. I unbuckle my belt and pull it out through the hoops.

“Next time, combine everything you’ve learned. I’m going to come at you and try to tie you up. If you can escape me, then you’ll get a reward.”

“And if I fail?” she asks, her gaze dropping to the belt.

I flash her my widest grin. “You may not like the punishment, but I sure as hell will.”

EIGHTY-EIGHT

AMETHYST

My muscles ache from practicing all day, but for the first time since Jake turned up at my doorstep, I feel a semblance of control.

At least I know who wants me dead and their reasons why. And I know I’m not being haunted by a vengeful ghost. Xero’s presence is overwhelming enough to chase away my hallucinations, even if he is overbearing.

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