Page 61 of Heartless Prince

I gasped and nodded. “Why do we have to wait again?”

“Crown and Dagger rules. You can only lose your virginity at the Bonding.”

“But how would they even know?” I asked softly. “It’s just us in here.”

He smirked. “As happy as I am that you want me to fuck you so badly, I really can’t. There are cameras hidden all over the place, so the society council will know if I take your virginity before the ceremony.”

“Oh.” I shivered, suddenly feeling far too exposed. I scooted back and pulled the duvet over myself.

“Don’t be ashamed,” Elias said, sitting up on one elbow. “Your body is perfect.”

“Thank you,” I murmured. “It’s just weird knowing people might’ve seen us doing… that.”

He laughed. “You’re going to have to get used to it, Doll. The Bonding happens in front of everyone.”

“Oh.” I bit my bottom lip. “What exactly goes on during the ceremony? I mean, apart from the obvious.”

“I’ve never been to one before, so I know about as much as you.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Really? You’ve never been?”

“Never had any reason to go before now. So I guess we’ll experience it all together, won’t we?”

I nodded and settled back into his arms. I was still curious as to why he’d had such a sudden change of heart toward me—seemingly, anyway—so I decided to milk it for as long as I could. I might actually be able to get some answers out of him while he was in this pleasant mood.

“Could you tell me more about this place?” I asked shyly.

Elias frowned. “You already know what it is.”

“Not really.”

He chuckled softly and sat up properly. “Oh, that’s right. I keep forgetting. You’re supposed to act like you’re clueless.”

My brows furrowed. “I really am clueless.”

He smiled patiently, as if he were humoring a child. “Fine. I’ll play for a few minutes,” he said, waving a hand. “Ask me whatever you want. Within reason.”

“Okay. What exactly is this place we’re in right now? I know it’s called the Finishing School and it has something to do with training, but that’s all I really know.”

“This is where all the new girls get sent once they’ve signed their contracts. They need to undergo certain processes to prepare them for their time at the Lodge. The manner in which they are trained depends on who their master is, but the end result is usually about the same.”

“What’s the Lodge?”

A half-smile curled his lips up again. “I suppose I’d describe it as a playground for the elite. A twisted pleasure palace. Anything a man wants, he can have it there. Most of the girls are trained to provide whatever they ask for, no matter how depraved.”

My brows knitted. “Sounds like an illegal brothel to me,” I murmured.

“Well, if you want to be crass, then sure, that’s what it is.”

“But you’re good-looking, smart, and rich,” I said, tilting my head to the side. “You can probably have any woman you want. So why would you need to use something like the Lodge?”

“Because the only woman I want right now is you, under very specific circumstances that you’d never agree to if you weren’t being paid,” he said, eyes flashing. “As for the other members, the reason they visit the place is because they can get anything they want there. Things regular women won’t do, even if they’ve been dating or married for years.”

“Oh.”

“Of course, that’s not everyone. Some members who visit only like plain old vanilla stuff, and they just aren’t getting any from their wife anymore. Others want a bit of light BDSM action, like handcuffs and spanking. But the vast majority prefer something… else. No rules, no limits.”

“I guess you’re firmly in that category,” I said quietly.

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