Page 78 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

“It’s time for another. You also need to be groomed.” That bush needs to go.

“Groomed! I’m not an animal!” she flails outraged.

I clutch her face more tightly. “Technically you’re owned, so you’re the equivalent.”

Infuriated tears threaten.

“Ellie. I will tell you this once. Cooperate with me, or I will tie you down and spank you until you do.”

“Is that my life now? Beating after beating?”

“It doesn’t have to be. But you have to listen, and do as Kayne and I say.”

“Do I belong to both of you?” Her words are sharper than a butcher knife.

She should be so lucky. If she belonged to me, the word spoiled would take on a whole new meaning in her vocabulary. But alas, Kayne ordered hands off. Which totally bites considering I share women with him all the time. Even ones who mean more to me than the sun.

“No. You’re just Kayne’s,” I clarify. “But I do have the authority to punish you if you don’t behave. So, what’s it going to be sweet thing? We can be friends, or we can be enemies. It’s up to you. Personally, I’d like to be friends. It will make things easier for everyone involved.”

She only stares up at me. Deliberating maybe? After a few drawn out moments I nod, then pull out a set of keys from my pocket and unlock the padlock linking the chain to the collar. She just sits until I tell her to move. “Bathroom?” I point.

Ellie gets up and walks into the adjoining room, attempting to cover up as much of her nakedness as she can. I smirk behind her. Silly little kitten.

“Good girl,” I praise in a condescending tone. I shouldn’t be enjoying this as much as I am. Once in the bathroom, I turn the shower on. “We’ll groom you first, then breakfast.”

“Groom?” she repeats curiously. Those big green eyes are a damn killer. I’ve spent five minutes with the girl, and I already know why Kayne is infatuated with her. She’s adorable, sexy, feisty, and has the spirit of a strong-willed submissive in the making.

“Mmmm hmmm.” I pull out a table from the linen closet and open it up.

“What’s that for?” she asks untrustingly.

“You’ll see.” I pull the key ring out of my pocket again and unlock the wide collar, removing it from her neck. She immediately rubs her sore throat. Thick training collars like this one take a while to get used to. “In you go.”

She steps into the stone shower and allows the water to continuously cascade over her skin. She’s stalling.

“Wash,” I strictly instruct. Ellie sticks her tongue out at me as she turns for the soap.Seriously?“I saw that.” I can’t hide my amusement. If I wasn’t about to inflict pain in an ulterior way, I would bend her over and spank the spunk out of her right there in the shower. Kayne is going to have his hands full with this one, I can see it already. And I can’t wait to watch the show, as fucked up as it is.

“Done,” I announce, opening the door and turning the water off. “Hey!” She immediately jumps and covers herself.Please. I pull her arms away from her chest. “Get over the modesty. And get used to being naked,” I state bluntly. Clothes are a thing of the past.

“Why?”

“Because that’s how Kayne wants you.” I wrap her in a towel and dry her off with a bit of a massage. See? I’m not all bad.

“Why me?” she asks forlornly.

“He has his reasons.” I work the towel up to dry her long golden hair.

“I wish someone would share them with me.”

“You don’t need to worry about his reasons. All you need to do is what you’re told.”

“What if I can’t be submissive? Then what?” she challenges.

“I don’t think you want to know,” I divulge. Kayne may care about her, but he’ll do what he has to do to make her submit. He wants her obedient for her own good, and he knows there may be lines he’ll have to cross to reach his desired outcome.

Ellie’s lip quivers. “He’s going to hurt me, isn’t he?”

“Not if you listen,” I try to hint.

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