“If you want something, ask.”
I finish the croissant and he plays with some of the wet strands of hair cascading down my front.
“From now on, you'll get only what I give you. I decide if that's pleasure. If that's pain. I'll punish you as I see fit and take care of your basic needs. You eat if I ask, drink if I tell you to.And you make yourself available for me to use however I want, whenever I want.”
I shift my weight and start to get up. Enzo grabs me, pushing me back into the seat.
“I didn't give you permission.”
My mouth falls open, forming a small but perfect circle.
“Don't pull faces like that. Not unless you want me to fill that pretty mouth of yours with my cock.”
My teeth click as I snap my mouth shut and Enzo laughs. He runs his knuckles down my cheek and I shudder, loathing the way his touch sets my body on fire.
“Good girl. You may leave.”
I slip away and find myself stuck in the middle of nowhere. The open plan space leaves nowhere to retreat to—and the airy, modern space isn't the clean, comforting retreat I'd wanted. It's oppressive, leaving me nowhere to hide and no space to relax in.
This is Enzo's domain and I'm just another thing caught in it.
The uncomfortable heat of his stare catches my back as he watches me from the kitchen. I'm sure he's amused. Entertained by my predicament and the confusion immobilizing me.
I need some air. I need to breathe. I need to go for a walk and I dart into the cloakroom, putting my trainers on.
“What are you doing, baby?”
I grab the door handle. “Going out.”
He tsks and I freeze. “No, you're not. Remember the rules.”
“I need some air.”
“We're going out this afternoon. You need a proper wardrobe. My assistant will help you on Bond Street. You can get what you need. Or want.”
I close my eyes and dread floods through me. It's another bargain with the devil and I don't want to be further indebted. I don't want things to get worse.
“It doesn't change our arrangement,” Enzo sighs. “But you will look presentable.”
“I need some things.”
He growls and gets up slowly, walking over deliberately as he makes it clear he’s unimpressed. I'm dangerously close to breaking a rule, and his patience is running out.
“I need some toiletries.”
“We'll get them this afternoon. You're not going out.”
I need a reason to leave.
It needs to be a good one too.
Enzo won’t let me leave without one and I can't bear to be trapped here with him. Nowhere feels safe. There's no oxygen. There's no space. Nothing's mine and everything's his.
I close my eyes and scramble through every reason I can think of until the most terrifying thought occupies my consciousness. It's dreadful because it's true and the panic flowing through me is genuine. I'm shaking and the color drains from my face as my reality crashes down on me.
“I need a pharmacy, Enzo.”
His features sharpen as he stares at me, riled as I push back against him. He growls and lowers his head towards me, towering over me and using his height to intimidate me.
