Page 41 of Ensnared

I’mnot their equal...I’mjust theirpet.

Anda silly, stupid girl.

Hurtunfurls in my chest, but also something else.Somethingnew.Somethinghot, and stubborn, and singed at the edges.Somethingthat pushes against my soft feelings with angry little claws.

Thankfully, my indoctrinated manners save me, andIswallow around the lump in my throat and mindlessly change the topic only a heartbeat too late. “Well, thank you for the clothes; it’s nice to wear things that fit again.”

Irritationflickers overBeau’sface before his features smooth, andIonly have a moment to wonder ifIsaid something wrong before he smiles at me. “Mypleasure.Hadmore fun thanIthoughtIwould, actually, picking out those... bits and pieces.”

There’sa naughty edge to that smile that makes my stomach flip and helps the hurt work its way into a little box.Ihave dozens of them crammed tight and packed shut inside me.

“Whichones are you wearing?” he prompts.

Iclear my throat asIrealize they’re all looking at me.Ifocus on the food in front of me, cutting into the meat.

“Well,Isuppose one of you will find out,”Imutter, more tartly thanI’dintended.

Jasperleans back with a soft, “Hmm.”

Thankfully,Luckychanges the subject, chattering about the deer he hunted and about showing me the farm.Talkturns to whatI’vebeen doing, and howIlike the garden and animals—easy conversation led byBeauandLucky, withJasperchiming in now and again when we reach a lull.Dommostly watches from the head of the table but trades surprisingly warm jokes with the three, though he doesn’t say a word to me.Jaykobstays quiet, finishing his meal first and then playing with his pocketknife again, flipping it dexterously between his fingers.

Betweenmy glass of wine, the delicious food, and the innocuous conversation, by the end of the dinner, most of my dread has eased and the sting of rejection—and that odd burst of anger—has faded.Butwhen the last fork drops and the words peter out,Iknow my payment is due.

Itake a deep breath.

“Littlelibrarian, are you still sure you want to stay?”Domasks, deep voice carefully neutral.Hiseyes are as piercing and predatory as a wolf at bay.

Wettingmy dry lips,Inod once.

Beausits forward, favoring his injured arm just slightly, and he awards me a relieved smile.Helooks gorgeous today, in a simple navy shirt and jeans.

“Wellin that case, we should cover off a couple of things before we get started,” he says, his drawl is slow and careful as he measures my response. “Beforethe strikes, we all had sexual health tests done regularly for the club, but it’s been a while and we’ve had other partners since.”

“Notall of us,”Jasperbreaks in coolly before taking a sip of wine.

Luckyis stiff and uncomfortable beside him.Catchingmy stare, he shifts in his seat and offers me a smile that’s really more of a grimace.

“Now, darlin’,I’vedone regular checkups for all of us and as far asIcan tell, we’re clean—but we don’t have modern testing available, so there’s no way to be sure.Somediseases are asymptomatic, so there’s always a risk.Andthen there’s pregnancy to think about.”

I’mgrateful he’s bringing this up, even if the whole conversation makes me want to run in the opposite direction. “Ihave anIUD—the copper one.Idon’t think it’s meant to expire for another five years.AndIwas clean.Iwas tested after... well, afterHenry.Therehasn’t been anyone since, likeIsaid.Ihaven’t had any checkups or anything though, obviously.”

Istammer to a halt and take a deep drink of my wine, soIdon’t have to look at anyone.Theyall seem content to letBeautake the lead on this one.

“Ifyou’ve been tested, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about, but a general health check is worthwhile.We’lltake care of that soon,”Beaupromises. “Wehave condoms, of course, and we’ve kept them in the best conditions we could, but they’re at the end of their shelf life.Wehave a few boxes left with a few more months on them, but the rest are recently expired.Betterthan nothing, but knowing these assholes, those few boxes aren’t going to last us real long.I’lldo a checkup for you soon, darlin’, but we might have to revisit this conversation when we run out of the good stuff.”

Revisit.Asin, potentially decide not to use protection?

“Ah,”Isqueak.

Thethought of them going bare, of them filling me up and leaving me dripping and slippery with their cum, sends a flush of wild, unexpected heat through me.Iduck my head into my wine again, hopingIhid my shiver in time.I’venever done that before... but the idea is filthy.Erotic.

Shockinglyappealing.

“Thatwork for everyone?” he asks, and sounds of assent ripple around the table.

Inod as well.

“Ifthat’s done”—Domstands and picks up a small bag from the side of the room.Hepulls out five playing cards—“it’s time to organize the roster, starting tonight.Aceto five, ace being first.Youshuffle.”

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