Page 17 of Bad for Me

“Think of the videos I have stored as… an incentive to let loose while you’re here. They’ll never see the light of day if you want. All I ask is that you stay for the holidays. Explore the real possibilities of the fantasy you’ve been chasing. Isaac and I are more than ready to indulge you.” His gaze drops to my lips. When he licks his, I’m almost tempted to mirror the action. “If you want to leave after that—” he shrugs as his eyes lift to meet mine once more “—you’re free to do so.”

I frown. “And the videos?”

“Will be destroyed.”

I let out a shaky breath. I’m a captive.

Yet the concept doesn’t seem all too terrifying as I regard the handsome man before me. Can I toss aside my morals to sink into debauchery? I’d like to believe I would recoil from entertaining such a notion. Yet, as I replay the moment in my office where I’m filled with both Bernard and Isaac, debauchery doesn’t seem like such a bad place to sink into.

My nipples bead and strain through my top. I’m suddenly hyper aware of the sensual tease of the silk against them as my chest rises and falls. Dr. Carlton notices them too. His smile is a cruel curve of his mouth as his eyes darken.

“We’d treat you right, Meredith.” He puts down the glass of water on a table beside the couch, just out of sight, and reaches up to caress my cheek with the back of his hand. “We’ll drive you to the brink of insanity, where you’ll find us there waiting—already crazed with our need for you. We’ll consume you. Set you ablaze with our touches and then douse you in an even hotter flame. Fate set us on a path, Meredith. There’s no need to fight what’s been predestined.”

As he speaks, his face lowers until our lips nearly touch. His hot breath hits my face. I don’t even realize I’ve stopped breathing until I drink it in.

“Let me adore you, Meredith. I know everything about you, enough to keep you happy.” He continues like Lucifer bartering for my soul. “Isaac and I can give you everything you’ve ever wanted. All you need to do is give us a chance.”

The blood in my body grows excruciatingly hot. My mouth grows dry once more. The desire to give in to his salacious offer wells up. What can it hurt? Where would I be right now if he and his son hadn’t taken me? The answer is obvious. I’d be in my townhome, celebrating the holiday season in my own way. In the oppressive silence that’s just a harsh reminder that I am very much alone.

There are plenty of reasons why I should say no. To fight this madness tooth and nail.

But none of those reasons seem to matter. I’m already screwed. I allowed it to go too far back at the office. It doesn’t matter what I do now.

So why not dive deep into my vices? I could give myself free rein—just until the holiday season is over. After that? Well, then I swim up from the depths of depravity I’ve been dragged down into to catch my breath before running. I’ll run so far and for so long that even the devil won’t be able to catch me.

I let out a shuddered breath as I look down, away from his probing stare.

“Alright. I’m in.”

10

BERNARD

Elation continuesto balloon in my chest an hour after Meredith conceded to our arrangement.

After showing her around the house, she’d scurried away to change into her clothes that we’d brought with us.

“How long have you been planning this?” she’d asked, opening her suitcase that sat on the neatly made bed in one of the guest bedrooms.

“Since the day I interviewed you.”

My answer came without hesitation. There’s no reason to lie. Nor is there any point in keeping secrets under my roof. I want all of Meredith, and to get it, I must give her all of me. My secrets, my desires, hopes and dreams—they belong to her now.

The way her eyelashes fluttered, paired with the soft sound of her breath catching in her throat and the smallest of smiles teasing the corners of her mouth, were a delight to behold.

I lean against the kitchen counter, straining to listen to her footsteps as she gets ready for the day. The chloroform I used to knock her out kept her unconscious the entire night. I was beginning to worry that something was wrong—that she breathed in too much or I used the wrong kind—until she stirred this morning. Now that she’s awake and moving, I can relax.

I’ve never drugged someone before. It's certainly not something I wish to do again.

The sound of the back door opening and shutting snares my attention. Isaac’s footsteps draw near. A moment later, he walks into the kitchen—yanking his snow-covered hat off his head.

He glances at me, and I raise a small glass of spiked eggnog toward him.

“Merry Christmas Eve.”

He flashes me a grin. “You know what? I’m feeling fucking merry this year. Now I get the sentiment.”

“Yes, well, it’s easy to be at ease and happy when we have a gift that will just keep on giving.” I sip the rest of my drink and refill the glass.

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