Page 15 of Guardians

Diego stared at him for a long moment before he shrugged. “She won’t relax and enjoy dinner unless you do. Go ahead.”

Malik looked at Kane to make sure he was alright with the second request.

“She’s suffered enough for today,” Kane decided. “You can treat the welts.”

When Malik returned to the bed, Lexie was lying on her side, torso propped up on her elbow. She’d tucked the quilt around her body so she was covered from shoulders to ankles. “Why did you need their permission? Do they outrank you or something?”

“They do, but that wasn’t the reason. Whoever administers a punishment decides when it ends.”

“I see.”

“Go use the bathroom if you need to, butdo notremove the butt plug.” He paused, realizing that the salve would be more effective if her skin was clean. “In fact, take a very quick shower while you’re in there. If you’re not back in ten minutes, I’ll come get you.”

She stared back at him silently, unmoving and expressionless. Then her eyes filled with tears and her lips began to tremble.

“Why are you crying?” He sat down on the edge of the bed and took her cold hand between his.

“I haven’t been able to bathe, really bathe for eleven days. It’s been too cold for anything but a sponge bath.”

“Well, our water gets really hot, so don’t burn yourself. I’ll give you fifteen minutes, but no more.”

Nodding repeatedly, she offered him a watery smile and crawled off the other side of the bed. “Thank you.” She tossed the phrase over her shoulder as she disappeared into the bathroom. She’d taken the quilt with her, an infraction he should have corrected, but he couldn’t bring himself to erase her smile.

She returned in thirteen minutes looking rosy and relaxed, perhaps a little too relaxed. “Did you take out the butt plug?”

“I started to, but reconsidered.”

“Wise decision.” He motioned toward the bed. “Lie down on your belly.” She was careful to keep the quilt secured while she assumed the position, but she shouldn’t have bothered. As soon as she settled on her belly, he flipped open the covering and exposed her nudity. “Your body is beautiful.” He ran his hand from the nape of her neck to the curve of one rounded butt cheek, resting it there possessively. “Stop trying to hide from us.”

Turning her head sharply to the side, she rested her cheek on her folded hands and looked at him. “Would you be comfortable walking around naked in front of a room full of strangers?”

“I was not allowed to wear clothing for over two years.”

She gasped and twisted so she could see him better. “Why?”

Her shock and disbelief seemed genuine, so he indulged her curiosity. The past was not something any of the hybrids liked to talk about, but her apparent confusion supported her claim that she had not been directly involved in the Griffin Project. “The monsters at Nuevo Biotech thought that keeping us naked would make us more compliant and discourage us from trying toescape. Being naked bothered me for about a week. After that I just didn’t give a fuck.”

“Then I have six more days before I should no longer give a fuck.”

Her feistiness made him stroke her sensitized skin longer than he’d intended. She squirmed, stubbornly pressing her thighs together. They would have to rid her of that impulse as well. Her body belonged to them now and they had the right to look at her whenever they liked. “If you’d like me to find you something to wear once I’ve treated these welts,” he traced an especially distinct mark with his fingernail, “I suggest you adjust your attitude.”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped then hissed out a breath. “I’d appreciate it very much if you let me get dressed.”

“That’s better. Now, slide your legs apart and tilt your hips upward.”

“Is that really necessary?” Her voice was tense, her hands twisting in the quilt.

“If I told you to do it, it’s necessary.”

With obvious reluctance her legs eased apart.

“More,” he ordered.

“You’re supposed to be treating my rear end,” she argued. “Why do my legs need to be spread?”

“Because the sooner you realize that you no longer control the situation, the sooner we can all start enjoying ourselves.” He slapped her twice on the ass, one firm swat to each side.

A growl of frustration escaped her throat as her legs slid farther apart.

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