Page 28 of Deviant Obsession

The dig hits closer to home than I'd like to admit. "Maybe I'm evolving," I deflect with a smirk, but we both know there's more to it than that.

"Or maybe she's gotten under your skin."

I shift restlessly, uncomfortable with how easily my brother can read me. "There's just something about her, dude. The way she tried to maintain that holier-than-thou attitude even while her body was betraying her." My voice drops lower, rougher. "The little sounds she made when she finally gave in?—"

"You're doing it again," Ethan interrupts.

"Doing what?"

"Getting that look. Like you're already planning how to devour her whole."

I can't exactly deny it. The need to possess her completely, to break down every barrier she's ever built, burns through my veins like wildfire. "Maybe I am. Maybe I want to see just how deep that darkness of hers really goes."

"And what happens when you find out?"

The question hangs in the air between us, heavy with accusation. Ethan’s not one to let me forget my past… carelessness when it comes to playthings.

"Then I'll push her further," I say finally, growling through clenched teeth. "Until I’m satisfied. Until I’m done playing."

Ethan sighs, pinching his nose between his fingers. "You're playing with fire."

"Good thing I've always liked getting burned." The grin I flash him is all teeth and predatory intent. "Besides, you didn't see the way she responded. It was like she's been waitingher whole life for someone to show her exactly how sweet submission can taste. You’d feel exactly the same if she’d been inyourhands."

"Dean." Ethan's tone shifts, taking on that familiar edge of authority that usually makes me want to roll my eyes. "We need to talk about boundaries. Responsibility."

"Christ, not this again." I sprawl deeper into the chair, but there's no escaping the weight of his icy stare. "I know what I'm doing."

"Do you?" He leans forward, hands clasped on the desk between us. "Because it sounds like you're getting carried away with the power rush and forgetting everything Dad taught us."

The mention of our ex-stepdad has me averting my gaze, a cold sliver of guilt sluicing down my spine. Memories surface unbidden—hours spent in this very office, Dad drilling the finer points of power exchange into our thick skulls.

"A Dom's first responsibility is to his submissive's wellbeing," I recite mockingly. "Both physical and emotional. I remember the lectures."

"Then start acting like it." Ethan's voice carries the same stern power Dad used to wield, and still does when he thinks we need it. "Especially with an inexperienced sub. You can't just?—"

"Push her straight into the deep end?" I interrupt. "Watch her struggle until she either swims or drowns?"

"This isn't a joke, Dean."

"Do I look like I'm laughing?" The cold edge in my voice surprises even me. "I know what I'm doing. I can read her responses, gauge her limits."

"It's not just about physical limits." Ethan runs a hand through his dark hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. "The mental impact of intense scenes?—"

"Can forge deeper connections than vanilla play ever could," I finish. "Dad's words, not mine. Or did you forget that part of the lectures?"

The silence stretches between us again. Finally, Ethan sighs. "Just...be careful with her. A bad experience can break more than just trust."

Something tightens in my chest at his words. "You think I don't know that? You think I don't remember everything he taught us about safe, sane, and consensual?"

"I think you get caught up in the chase sometimes," he says, a cautious edge in voice. "In the thrill of breaking down resistance. And from what you've told me about this girl?—"

"Rhea," I supply, the name falling from my lips before I can stop it.

"Rhea," he echoes, giving me a pointed look. "She needs a guided introduction to this world, not a full immersion baptism by fire."

I close my eyes, remembering the heat of her flushed skin under my touch. Not just from fear or arousal, but from the overwhelming rush of discovering parts of herself she'd never dared acknowledge.

"Yeah, okay," I mutter, waving off his concern. "I remember the responsibility speech just as well as you do. 'A true Dom finds satisfaction in his sub's pleasure, not just his own.'"

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