Page 138 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

“No, you’re trying to manipulate me. Again. Like you did on Saturday.” My blood pressure rose.

“No, Reuben, I mean it. I am trying. I promise and... I’m sorry. You’re right.” She dropped her head in shame, and I think she really meant it. “Ididtry to manipulate you on Saturday. And you told me you wouldn’t be manipulated by me, but I tried anyway. I think part of me needed to know you were serious about keeping your word... but I shouldn’t have done it that way, and I regret it. Please, forgive me...”

Her shoulders shook and her tears started again. God, I loved watching her cry. She looked so open, so real, so honest. Like I could see the world in her eyes.

I rose and stood in front of her, tilting her chin up and making her look at me. “I forgive you, Alice. After tonight, you will be in the clear, okay?”

Hope blossomed in her face and she gave me a tentative smile.

“Your training begins tonight, right now. I need you to tell me any limits that have changed since we last spoke. Anything you’ve changed your mind on.”

She hesitated, looking away for just a minute, but then looked back at me, a resolution in her eyes. “I want the trigger. Like you said. Your hypnosis thing.”

That wasn’t at all what I expected. “Are you sure? We can wait for you to make that decision. That’s a hell of a lot of power you’re giving me, Alice. And I know you don’t trust me yet.”

“No, I don’t want to wait. I want... I want no control. I want to be yours.” She blushed as she said it. “I’m tired, Reuben. Sir. I’m so tired.”

Poor thing has no idea what she’s asking for.

“Youaremine. You have always been mine.” I walked behind her, and took her hands from her side, bringing them up behind her head. She interlaced her fingers and rested her hands behind her head. Leaning forward, I whispered in her ear, “I’m going to make sure you believe it,” and I opened her elbows a little more.

I moved her and positioned her exactly the way I liked. Her chin up, face forward, shoulders down, elbows open. I nudged her legs apart, repositioned her hips and her feet until she was standing straight and open for me. Then I circled her, inspecting her carefully and quietly.

She was a sight to behold. A perfect plump little ass, the remnants of bruises just beginning to fade. Curvy legs, and the tiniest bit of a tummy that looked so bitable with that glittery stone in her belly. The snake tattoo slithering down her body made her look like a mysterious nymph or a mermaid. Her breasts were firm and full, and both nipples were pierced with little silver rings.Good God, those are going to be fun.

There was a flash of rebellion in her eyes though, like she was still mentally fighting the indignity of being displayed like a trophy.

She wanted this. But she wanted to fight it just as hard.

Just submit for tonight, sweetheart, and I’ll do the rest.

Her eyes followed me as I circled her. “Look straight ahead. At the clock. Yes, good.” Behind her again, I removed the rubber band that held her hair in a ponytail on the top of her head. Her hair cascaded out of the band, and I ran my fingers through it. Thick and strong, and softer than silk. I inspected the ends. They were a little split. Lifting a handful of her hair, I inhaled. She smelled like something sweet and kind of fruity, but I didn’t love it.I’ll take her out soon and get her something nice.

I got another good look at the tattoo on her hip. It looked unfinished, the beginnings of a vague shape. I trailed a finger across it, and her skin pebbled in goosebumps.

“What’s the story here?”

“We got interrupted... had to go into work for an emergency. Never finished it.”

“What is it supposed to be?”

“I don’t know, I told Pierce to surprise me.”

“No more surprise tattoos on your body.” She worked her mouth, and I could tell she was working to bite back a snotty comment. I smacked her hip right on the tattoo and she yelped. “Understood?”

“Yes Sir.”

Putting a hand on her back, I pushed her forward, forcing her to bend forward. She gasped and resisted, but I pushed harder, and she surrendered.

“What is this?” I asked in a mocking tone. “For fuck’s sake, Alice, I haven’t even done anything yet. You’re soaked.”

Hands still behind her head, she twisted back to look at me. “The fuck did you expect?”

I knew you couldn’t keep it under control. She’s bursting with more attitude than she is sexual energy. Which is a lot judging by the cum dripping from her lips.

I pinched her hard on the back of her thigh and she yelped, squirming away from me, but I didn’t let go. Fisting my other hand in her hair, I pulled her head back into the position I wanted it. Only when she resumed her earlier position did I release my thumb and fingernails from digging into her skin.

“That mark will look nice with your bruises.”

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