Page 38 of Captured Onyx

Chapter 18

Nate

"Take control of me?"

She repeats my words as if they were news to her, a surprise even.

And not a bad one.

Next to the fear and disgust she's obligated to feel, there's something else flickering in those raven dark eyes.

Mesmerization.

She can't hide it from me. The faint trembling of her lower lips as they part without giving way to words, the way her eyelashes join that subtle dance as they suggest fluttering, and the blush that blossoms across her olive skin.

Only a blind man would miss these enticing signs.

She may not know it, but there's a submissive residing in her heart and soul, only waiting for the right moment to come out.

Or for the right man's hand.

I've noticed the way she leans into my touch, like a flower reaching toward the sun. She didn't want to. It wasn’t a conscious movement. The decision wasn't dictated by her mind but by her body, and sometimes our bodies speak more truth than our minds ever could.

But now it's up to me to figure out what beat she's marching to.

Is it pain? Humiliation? Objectification?

No.

I'm shaking my head as I wrap my arm around her neck, studying her expression, my eyes locking on to hers. The answer to my question is hidden in the depths of those black gems, the ones that symbolize her name.

"Confinement," I say in a whisper, her black locks dancing when they are kissed by my breath. I can't be sure until I try, but unlike the others, I can't rule this one out right away. She's not into pain, and she's too stubborn and strong-headed to allow herself to be pleasured by humiliation.

But she didn't fight the rope binding her wrists and ankles when I tied her to that bed. She even looked a little lost when I removed the ties.

This could be interesting.

"I'll have to tie you to the bed."

A surprised expression appears on her face.

"Like you did before?" she asks. "After you kidnapped me?"

"Not quite," I respond. "But you understand that I can't let you sleep next to me just like that, especially with a weapon in the room."

She swallows dryly, and—much to my surprise–nods in understanding.

"Of course, that would be stupid," she says. "Especially now that I know how to use one."

Her face remains solemn, but I can't suppress a chuckle at her sassy remark.

I like this side of her. I prefer it to the frightened little doe she seemed to be at first. A part of me was inclined to link this trait of her personality to Lailah, but that would be the wrong conclusion to draw. Lailah was strong and determined, but she wasn't sassy or insubordinate in any way. Her obedience came naturally, and it wasn't in her nature to object or fight back. She was brought up to serve in any way demanded, knowing very early on where her position was within the Covey.

This girl is different. Her obedience must be earned, elicited through the right measures by someone who knows how to push her buttons.

"Get on the bed." I let go of her to give her some space to move freely. "Naked."

She was just about to move, but the additional word causes her to freeze.

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