But toward?—
The wall.
My stomach flips, heat racing through me as I realize exactly where he’s going.
He runs his fingers across something—a soft, dragging sound, like leather against wood.
The wall of crops.
He’s taking his time.
Considering.
Choosing.
My breath catches, anticipation a sharp, tight thing inside my chest.
Hank chuckles, his fingers trailing lightly over my stomach. “That got your attention, didn’t it?”
I swallow, every nerve on high alert, every inch of my skin tingling.
Hank’s lips graze my ear. “The game is simple, luv.” He drags his knuckles down my side, soothing, even as his words set me on fire. “You want my touch?” His fingers slide lower, brushing just barely between my legs again. “You earn it.”
I make a desperate noise, shifting against the restraints.
Hank tilts my chin with two fingers, making me look at him.
“Five strikes,” he murmurs. “Of whatever Gabe chooses.”
I shudder, my breath coming in fast,uneven bursts.
Gabe hums from behind me, still at the wall, still taking his time. “And here I thought you’d make it harder on her.”
Hank smirks. “I thought I’d start her off easy.”
A thrill rushes through me, sharp and eager, my body already waiting for what’s to come.
“Only five?” I barely recognize my voice, and I have no idea why I just said that. This is not the time to challenge them.
Hank nods, his fingers soothing over my jaw, contrasting the storm building inside me. “Five not enough?”
I don’t hesitate.
“No, Sir. Five is enough.”
Gabe laughs, soft and dark.
Behind me?—
A whip-crack of leather against the air.
The first test.
And then?—
The sound of his boots moving toward me.
I glare at Hank. “You’re torturing me.”