Page 23 of In Too Deep

I move closer and wrap the fabric around her eyes before grabbing her hand and helping her to her feet. Then I lead her toward the other side of the room I’m sure she’s seen since she’s been here. I let go of her hand and stand in front of the snake's tank. I’ve had this snake for years. Years of taking care of him and being the only thing he knows.

I open the secured door and reach in, lifting him. I know Sage is scared of them since I overheard her talking about it once with her friends when I was watching her, and I’m surprised she hasn’t said anything about it being down here with her.

Gently, I set the snake on her shoulder and watch as he slithers around her neck. Now she trembles.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you crazy?” she asks, trying to keep herself from moving. I smirk. He wouldn’t hurt her. He wouldn’t hurt anyone. He’s docile.

“Please, get it off me,” she begs as her voice quivers. Halo, my snake, slithers around her shoulders before resting there like I knew he would. Nevertheless, Sage is trembling, and I love it. I reach up and remove the blindfold. I love the fear I see in her eyes. I step around her and stand in front of her, watching her as she watches me. Tears fall down her cheeks as her chest rises and falls.

“Will it bite me?” I shake my head.

“Will it choke me?” Again, I shake my head. She still doesn’t make a move to touch him or try to move him. Instead, she stands still, keeping her head held high. That’s my girl. That’s what I wanted. I wanted to see her stand her ground. If she’s going to be mine, she will have to toughen up. This isn’t a world for the weak.

“You had to know,” she says softly. I tilt my head to the side and look at her. “That I was afraid of snakes.” I nod my head because she’s right; I did know that.

“And this is punishment?” she asks. I think about that one. This isn’t punishment. This is more than that. But in reality, it is not. So I shake my head.

“Then you just do this for fun?” Now she’s getting it. I shrug my shoulders because I don’t know if this is actually fun, but I guess it is.

Once I’ve had my fun, I take Halo, placing him back in the habitat. Sage watches me before I turn, walk back to the couch and sit. She returns to the bed and sits on the edge as I pull out my laptop and get to work.

She’s silent for the most part, aside from clearing her throat. I ignore her and keep working until I look up, and our eyes lock. It’s like the air in the room has thickened. I try to focus on what I’m doing, but she’s a fucking distraction, one I welcome.

When I can’t handle it anymore, I slam the laptop closed, shove out of my seat, and move toward her. She leans back as I invade her space, grabbing her around the throat. I bend at the waist and breathe heavily in her ear.

“What are you going to do to me?” A low growl leaves my throat, sending a shiver through her body. I can feel her trembling as I squeeze her throat lightly; all I can think about is being inside her. I reach down with my other hand and grab Sage’s hand, bringing it to my cock. I squeeze her hand around it and force her to stroke it through my jeans.

“Are you going to rape me?” Another growl leaves my throat because I would never rape her. When she finally has my cock inside her, she will beg me for it. I shake my head and press my lips to her neck through my mask. I can feel her pulse thumping against my lips. This turns her on. I can tell by the way her heart is beating.

I can’t fucking wait to be inside her.

12

Today’s the day. My father has returned home, and it’s time to introduce Sage to him. Am I nervous? Absolutely not. I don’t get nervous. I don’t feel fear like a normal person would.

“You sure you want to do this?” Juno asks me as I grab my mask off the table.

“I’m sure.”

“What if he says to get rid of her?” I look over at him because we’ve discussed this already. I refuse to get rid of her. She’s mine.

“That’s not an option.”

“What if he doesn’t give you an option?” Juno pushes. I move quickly toward him before wrapping my hand around his neck and slamming him against the wall.

“What part of she’s mine do you not fucking get, Juno? Huh?”

“Calm the fuck down, Ares.”

“Calm down? You want me to calm down? You’re over here talking shit, and you want me to calm the fuck down?” I roar this time. He watches me, looking me in the eyes. I want to beat his ass, and the thought has crossed my mind more times than I care to admit. Lately, he’s been getting on my nerves more than usual.

“Sorry, man. I didn’t mean to piss you off,” he says.

“Then keep Sage out of your fucking mouth. She’s mine, and the next time you have something to say about her, I will slit your goddamn throat, Juno.”

“You like her that much?”

“You don’t understand what I feel for her,” I growl at him.

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