Page 35 of Wicked Pursuit

When I came all over his fingers with a dead body at our feet.

“I understand.”

“Good.” Another person hurries in, faintly out of breath. They whisper in my escort’s ear and then press a box into the other’s hands. My escort frowns. “This is highly irregular, but the Mad Wolf would like you to have this while you wait.”

There’s nothing to do but accept the box. I almost laugh at myself. As if I’m not frothing at the mouth to see what he’s sent along ahead of himself. “Thank you.”

“Good luck.”

Before I can ask why everyone keeps saying that to me, they’re gone, closing the door softly behind them. It’s just as well. For better or worse, I mostly know what I’ve gotten myself into. I hope.

I walk to the bed and set the box on it. It’s about the size of a shoebox and made of heavy wood, but aside from being polished to the point where I can see my reflection on its surface, there’s nothing notable about it.

I’m stalling.

I tug on my ring, relishing the little spike of pain I get in response. Strictly speaking, I’m not a masochist, but I can’t deny that a little pain adds a fun element of spice to normal sex. If my parents weren’t who they are, I probably would have found my way through the Underworld’s doors before now.

“Stop stalling.” I flip open the lid before I can talk myself out of it. There’s a flat black surface with a thick note card on it.

I want you naked and kneeling when I come for you. Wear this.

“Well, there’s one thing Wolf consistently has—audacity.” I flip up the secondary lid, and my mouth goes dry. It’s not the blindfold that makes my stomach erupt into butterflies.

It’s the collar.

I lift it carefully, shooting a nervous look at the door. I know what a collar means when it comes to BDSM. It’s a claim, a sign marking consent of ownership, of submission. This collar is gorgeous, more jewelry than utility. It’s a choker that drips rubies in various lengths. I hold it up to my neck and shiver. The pattern will frame my bare breasts and shoulders when I put it on.

I’m nervous for sure, but nervousness can be a good thing. I lick my lips. “Okay, I can do this.” The question is whether I obey or start pushing boundaries immediately. I look around again. “If you’re going to play this way, then we need a damn negotiation first.” A safe word, though the very concept seems almost laughable after what we’ve already done.

No, damn it. I don’t have to keep being reckless just because I started out that way. Wolf is familiar enough with kink to offer me this collar, so he can damn well sit through a conversation before we cross yet another line that we can’t uncross.

I carefully set the collar back in the box but don’t close it. Then I return the blindfold to its place.

And sit down to wait.

There’s no clock in this room, but I wait long enough that I’m heartily glad for the en suite bathroom. It has a whole treasure trove of goodies too. The tiled walls of the shower also contain sturdy anchors for bondage games. Under the sink, I find enough industrial-strength cleaners to make me laugh. As if there were any doubts about what went on in this room.

In my snooping, I find a drawer full of a dozen different kinds of lube, and another with a wide selection of dildos and vibrators. Truly, it’s a kinky wonderland.

I finally end up in the large chair. It’s more comfortable than I’d expected and wide enough to accommodate a number of body types, with extra room so someone could slip their knees on either side as they ride...

The door opens softly, moving slowly enough that I’m half-sure I’ve fallen asleep and am dreaming. But then he’s there, filling the doorway, his skull mask the only thing light about him.

Wolf.

He steps into the room and closes the door behind him, just as softly, just as slowly. There’s a faint click as he locks it, and then he crosses his arms over his chest. “I should have known you wouldn’t obey.”

“You haven’t earned obedience.”

He laughs dryly. “I just paid a million dollars for you, Red. I think I’ve earned plenty.”

“Oh, that?” I don’t lean forward, forcing my body to stay relaxed. “I thought that was for everyone else’s benefit.”

“In part.” He doesn’t move. “But it’s currently sitting inyourbank account, so take off that fucking dress and get on your knees.”

My pussy pulses in response to the rough words. “Take off the mask.”

“Not yet.”

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