Page 82 of Lies like Rubies, Part One

“Five, sir,” I bit out, whining with the pain. He caressed my bottom.

“You’re doing so well, slut, taking the pain like a born masochist.”

He kissed my burning skin, eliciting a whimper as his lips brushed against the path of the belt.

A knock on the door startled me, and I jumped.

“Easy, kitten,” Dante soothed me, running his hands up my sides. “Don’t move.”

What?Was he going to leave me here, naked on the couch, my pussy visible to anyone who entered, stripes on my bottom, while he opened the fucking door?

“Dante, please, sir, let me—”

Too late.

He opened the door. When I would have looked over to see who it was, he snapped, “Eyes front, slut.” I froze and returned my gaze to the wall, not bothering to stop the tears that overflowed.

“Nico,” Dante answered. “Please come in.”

No. Not Nick. Please, no. He refused.

I squeezed my eyes shut to stem the silent tide of tears, so I couldn’t glimpse the disgust on Nick’s face as he witnessed my humiliation. I didn’t need any more heartbreak in my life.

The door to the hotel snicked shut, and I waited. Dante wouldn’t abandon the pleasure of strapping me with his belt simply because Nick arrived. He enjoyed my pain too much.

“What did I interrupt?” Nick asked softly from behind me.

“She has five left. Would you like to take a turn?” Dante answered, his voice equally soft, but somehow harder, crueler.

A sob escaped me, my humiliation complete, as he discovered the price I paid to keep Lizzie safe. Now he knew that every horrible word he’d uttered to me on Saturday was absolutely true.

“I’m sorry, Nick, so sorry,” I blurted out. I was sorry, sorry I’d hurt his feelings, sorry I’d dragged him into this horrible situation, sorry he had to witness my degradation.

Nick dropped onto the couch beside me. I didn’t dare look at him, as tears finally streaked down my cheeks. He cupped my face with a hand and dragged my gaze to his until I couldn’t avoid the brilliant mossy green of his eyes.

“No, Sofia. I’m the only one who should be sorry. I’m furious that you didn’t tell me earlier,” he said, “But I realize that trust is earned. I never should have judged you for doing what you think you need to do to protect Lizzie.”

Confusion washed over me. He was wrong. I sold my body to a monster to keep my daughter safe.

“Why are you here, Nick?”

He smiled, and it was like the goddamned sun coming out. “I told you, baby. I like the idea of tying you up, forcing pleasure on you, and dominating you. I couldn’t pass up that opportunity, now could I?”

Nick dragged the pad of his thumb over my cheek, the gentle strokes as hypnotic as they were comforting. “You said you needed someone uncomplicated in your life. I don’t know what tomorrow looks like,” he continued, breaking my heart all over again, “but I’m here right now, no strings attached, okay?”

“I—” I didn’t know what to say, only that my body got the message loud and clear that he was interested. I licked my suddenly dry lips. “You came to play?”

He kissed my nose. “Just for tonight.”

Tonight would have to be enough.

“What’s your safeword?” he continued.

I shook my head. “I don’t have one.”

He raised an eyebrow and looked up at Dante, who towered over us. “I understand that you get off on her humiliation, and that you don’t want her to have a choice, but I don’t play unless it’s safe and consensual.”

Dante chuckled darkly. “Sofia, are our games consensual?”

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