Page 9 of Betraying Family Vows
She hits me again, harder this time. A punch, not a slap. Her knuckles catch my jaw. For a woman, there's some weight behind it.
I spit blood onto the floor and smile up at her.
"I love the foreplay. Untie me, Alepoudítsa, so I can return the favor."
She takes a breath, pulling herself together after the hit. She brushes her hair from her face and straightens her dress.
Then, she turns her back on me and walks to a table.
That's when I notice it.
The knife.
Sleek. Silver. Narrow-bladed.
A bit too big for a woman's hand.
"Don't call me that," she says, turning to me and lifting the knife. "I'm not yourlittle fox."
"But you are a little fox," I start laughing, knowing I'm getting to her. "A sly, seductive, clever, wild Alepoudítsa."
She walks quickly back over to me and presses the blade against my throat. I feel its edge bite into my skin, just enough to draw blood.
Our faces are inches apart, and I can see the slight tremor in her hand.
She wants me to think she's in control, but her body language betrays her.
"You're holding that knife wrong," I say calmly.
Confusion crosses her face.
"What?"
"Your grip. It's wrong. You'll lose control if you have to actually use it."
Her eyes narrow. "I don't need advice from you."
I look at her. "So do it."
"You think this is a game?" she snaps. The knife lifts, and she presses beneath my jaw. "You're the one tied up like a fucking dog."
I laugh low in my throat. "I've been tied up before. With less clothes on, too."
"Shut up," she says and leans into me.
"You know what's funny?" I continue, ignoring her. "The way your breathing changed when you got close to me. The slight tremble in your hands. The flush on your skin."
"I said shut up!"
"And the knife at my throat?" I lower my voice. "All you're doing is turning me on."
She jerks back like I slapped her. "You're disgusting."
"Maybe," I shrug. "And you're not as repulsed as you want to be."
"You think I won't kill you?" she asks, trying to sound threatening.
"I think you can't."
