Page 41 of Cherry Auction

Or sooner, even. Because I thought of something else last night while my pussy was throbbing with the anguish of getting so riled up only to be denied at the last moment.

I don’t have to wait for his timeline, if he’s even telling me the truth about going to the club and it’s not just another game. Either way, a good chess player prepares multiple paths to victory because you never know what your opponent might be planning to throw at you. And after yesterday, I don’t know if I can trust myself to stay here much longer.

As much as I want to think I’m the better strategist… the truth is… I can feel Domhn overwhelming me. The craving hasn’t stopped. Every time he touches me, in fact, I think I’m getting more addicted and falling deeper into the warm, dark abyss of his sensual world.

But right now, without him here, my mind is clear. There aren’t any ghosts hovering. Maybe I should start to count that as a good thing. Maybe if my past was so bad… maybe I forgot for a reason.

I just have to play my part today and take every chance I can. I can’t be picky, and I’ll have to be brave. Braver even than when I woke up at the hospital and felt the panic of not recognizing anyone or anything around me. They had to sedate me that first night when I woke up and there were only night shift nurses there, I threw such a fit.

I kept asking for my family. I didn’t know anything—I can’t tell you how disturbing it is not to know your own name—so I just kept asking for my family. Family should always be there for you. Family was on TV. Where was mine?

No one had come for me, they said, and I fucking lost it. I screamed that they were lying. Thatthey’dkidnapped me.

I kicked the nurses and ran out of my hospital room. I barely made it to the large, antiseptic hallway with several other nurses looking curiously in my direction before a needle sank in my ass and everything went black.

The next morning, I was in restraints when I woke back up and doctors calmly explained what had happened. They took me outside in a wheelchair to prove I hadn’t been kidnapped and brought in the police to talk to me.

The police!

I’ll be brave again and go straight to the police when I get out of here. 911. The nice officers told me all I had to do was call that number and they’d come in their big cars and flashing lights. The nurses put a phone by my bedside, so I’d feel comfortable.

I grin, thinking of the uniformed men coming to put Domhnall in restraints and how they’ll haulhimoff to be locked up in a little room. Now that will be justice.

Fuck the past. For real this time.

Fuck anything he thinks he knows about me.

The satisfaction of fantasizing about him in cuffs is still easing the sting of last night’s denial when I hear the elevator’s softping.

Shit! I roll off the bed and sprint down the half hallwayto drop to my knees, heartbeat racing right as the heavy doors open. I wince, face down at the ground. Only a little rug burn. Definitely worth it when I hear Domhnall’s pleased little harrumph as he looks down at me.

“I’m happy to find you in position.” I watch his shined black shoes and ironed suit pants step forward, and then a gentle hand lands lightly on my head before caressing his fingers through my hair. It sends a little shiver down my spine. Damn it. I’m supposed to be holding strong today. I don’t care if I’m starving for his touch.Focus. Escape. That’s all I care about. He justthinkshe’s got the upper hand.

“And as for yesterday, all I can say is, verygood girl.” His mouth caresses the rumbling words in a way that hits deep. “You were exquisite.”

I swallow hard. No one’s ever called me exquisite before… that I know of. I try to shake it off. I’m sure former-me had people calling her exquisite all the time.

But fuck remembering. He’s never going to tell me anything about myself, anyway. Yesterday made that clear.

Escape. It should have been all I was focused on from the beginning. He types in the code to that keypad every day.

A clever kitty could get her hands on it.

His hands comb through the back of my hair down my scalp before he moves on, and my eyes drop closed in spite of themselves. Goddamn him for his touch feeling so good. He latches his leash to the collar around my throat. “Come, pet.”

He mistakes my compliance for obedience as I turnaround on the carpet, still on my hands and knees. I keep to his side as he heads back into the dungeon.

After our normal ritual of him feeding me breakfast from his hand, he swipes my mouth with a cloth napkin and gives me water from a glass, then puts aside breakfast.

“Today, we’ll finally be getting on to a proper scene,” Domhn says. “You’ll do exactly as I say. Respond yes, sir, if you agree.”

I bite back my instinctualfuck you, sir. “Yes, sir.”

“Excellent. You’re doing well already, pet.”

I roll my eyes at the floor as he leads me across the room. I keep my eyes down, half because I’m not sure I want to know what piece of furniture or torture implement he’s leading me towards until the last minute. I’ve told myself I’m going to comply all day like a good little pet so I can have my chance later, but dear god, now that it’s actually getting to thecomplypart…

“Stand up, face against the St. Andrews Cross.”

---