Page 194 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

“Hmm.”

I miss you. Did you think about me? Are you happy? Do I annoy you? Are you using The Weston House as an excuse to get a break from me?A variety of questions burned through my head, but I didn’t want to ask them. It felt weird and stupid to ask. Besides, he said he liked me, I needed to practice believing him... right?

Maybe that was just an excuse not to ask.

“Nothing. Good night, old man.”

“Goodnight, little monster.” He hung up and I stared at my phone screen as it slowly dimmed, and then shut off.

The next day, I foundout that Sophie and Mark were going off campus for a project they had planned, so after breakfast I gave Cat a hug and left for DC anyway, even though Reuben wasn’t going to be home yet. Maybe I could go to The Lounge that evening if I got bored. I already felt out of place at Greenwood Valley even though I’d only been gone for a short period of time.

I texted Reuben a few more times, sending him some memes and a photo of my boobs just in case he needed to be cheered up. It seemed he had a less chaotic day that day than the one before, and he answered me as much as possible.

When I got back to his house that evening, I bummed around on Discord for a while, looking for suggestions on how to get in trouble, because I had a feeling he would enjoy taking his stress out on me when he got back from the center.

I did a load of laundry, put away the clothes and shoes I’d brought with me, and dragged the plastic bin of toys and whatever else he’d packed up the steps and into the house, using my “old worn-out shoe” technique to prop the dungeon door open and drag the whole box downstairs.

It was heavier than I expected, and I finally caved to the urge to open it and dig through. Sure enough, the tub was filled with boxes and plastic containers of unopened toys. On top were a few silk and cotton drawstring bags, and I peeked inside. He’d packed some of my harnesses, like he’d said. And like he’d promised, they were all ones without sections that went around the neck.

“Dang, Reuben,” I said out loud. “You are seriously so thoughtful. Why am I such a bitch to you?”

There was no answer. I removed my shirt and slid one of the harnesses on, a piece that crossed over my chest and buckled behind my back. The straps that went around my breasts lifted them up a little higher, making my cleavage look amazing. I looked at myself in the mirror of the bathroom, smiling at the sight. I still had some marks from when he’d caned my breasts. They didn’t hurt anymore, but they were pretty, like clouds in deep space against my skin.

After I finished opening the toys and plugging them in to charge, I headed back upstairs. I decided to put on one of the leather miniskirts he’d bought for me and send him some pictures, since he’d liked the boob pic I’d sent earlier. I also swapped out my silver nipple rings for black metal bars with little red glittery stones on the side, and put on my dark red lipstick, striking a naughty pose, and sending it to him. Sure enough, a message came through a few moments later.

Reuben: Sweet Jesus.

Alice: Nice, huh?

Reuben: Shit like that is making me want you in bondage 24/7, little bug.

Alice: I can’t be in bondage 24/7!

Reuben: Sure you can. You can wear cuffs and only take them off to shower or use the restroom. You can wear that harness under your clothes. You can do your chores in a belt and a gag.

Alice: I hate the belt!

Reuben: I’m going to condition you to love it.

Alice: Impossible.

Reuben: Challenge accepted. I thought you were staying in Cullowhee?

Alice: Changed my mind, everyone had plans. I was planning on going to The Lounge for dinner. I’m not ready to go to TU yet.

Reuben: I would highly recommend you avoid TU for the time being, but that is your decision to make. There’s some drama happening there right now... I’ll take you when things get sorted. Have fun at The Lounge. I will follow up with people to make sure you were good. Though a bunch of them are here with me, so it’s pretty quiet over there right now. Anyway, I’ll be home tonight but it’ll be late. Probably past midnight. We were able to get some of the shenanigans sorted.

Alice: Midnight isn’t that late.

Reuben: We may need to discuss a bedtime for you.

Alice: How about instead you just keep giving me mind-melting orgasms that make me pass out?

Reuben: Good girls get orgasms. Be good for me, little bug, and that is exactly what you’ll get. Have to go; we are about to bring the girls down for dinner.

I got up and was about to make my way to my bedroom to throw on a shirt when I heard a click, and the front door swung open.

I felt a burst of panic burst through the back of my head, a metallic taste of adrenaline on my tongue. Reuben hadjust saidhe was having dinner at The Weston House, so if he was there...who was opening the door?

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