Page 86 of Sin & Sapphire

But I didn’t.

He curled his body around mine, nestling me between his thighs, pressing my back to his hard torso and enveloping me in the comfort of his warmth. Angelo was so much bigger than me, he could easily feed me this way.

He lifted a piece of chicken to my lips. “Open.”

His voice slid through my resistance like a knife through butter, and I opened my mouth. To my shock, he cupped my left breast, not kneading it, not playing with my nipple, simply holding it, as if weighing it. I stopped chewing, my surprise was so great, as I waited to see what he’d do next.

He nuzzled his nose in my hair. “Eat, pet.”

I swallowed the piece of chicken, and he slid his callused palm against my nipple, eliciting a gasp of pleasure. “That’s my good girl.”

My insides turned hot and liquid at the praise, and I forgot how much I hated this. He kneaded my breast, rewarding me for my good behavior, and then held up another bite to my mouth.

I took the tines of the fork between my lips, and moaned as Angelo pinched my nipple.

I should have protested. I should have refused. I should have done anything but relax against his chest, seeking the security of his embrace, as he touched me and fed me.

Bite by bite, I consumed the lunch before us, while he touched me everywhere, stroking my neck, my chest, pinching my nipples, bespelling me with his touch until I didn’t have a thought in my head except to continue pleasing him by eating so that he’d continue his caresses.

“How’re you doing, pet?” he asked, pinching a nipple.

“More, sir, please,” I moaned, lolling my head back against his shoulder.

Angelo’s soft laugh pierced the haze of lust. “Full?”

I blinked, bringing myself back to the present. What was I thinking, letting him play with me like this? I was so stupid. So thirsty for validation. Why did I want him to like me so badly?

His arms tightened around me as my muscles stiffened, stopping me from getting up. “Easy, pet.”

I shook my head. There was nothing easy about this. I’d let my loneliness, my hunger for human connection and touch override my good sense, and I’d begged for him to touch me.

“I’m full,” I said, leaning forward, as if putting physical distance between us could erase my aching need.

Angelo set the tray aside, then tightened his grip around me. “What’s the first rule, toy?”

“Perfect obedience,” I whispered. “Sir.”

He slid one hand up my chest until it rested between my breasts, holding the other hand on my stomach, so I was pressed against him from my ass to my shoulders.

“How are you doing, toy?”

“I’m—” I didn’t know how to answer the question. “I’d like a shower, sir,” I said.

Angelo hummed and continued to stroke his fingers over my stomach, abstract whorls that made my muscles clench beneath his touch. He didn’t push me away, he didn’t leave, and he didn’t punish me. Which meant I hadn’t broken a rule.

“Sir, may I please take a shower?”

His fingers halted, pressing into me lightly, then resumed their fiery path over my skin.

When he didn’t say anything, I took a breath to speak again, and then he spoke.

“Yes, sweet angel. Of course.”

He stood, then held out his hand to me. My eyes widened with wonder. When I wrapped my fingers around his, he squeezed them, and my heart filled to bursting at the small sign of affection.

I closed my eyes against the pain in my chest, how much I craved more of his approval.

“Angel?”

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