“I don’t remember rule two, Master.”
She flinched at the admission, knowing there would likely be consequences for her alleged transgression, yet still more annoyed that she needed to go through the sorry performance.
Grown women didn’t have to be naked if they didn’t choose to be, they didn’t have to eat meals they didn’t want, and they certainly didn’t need to comply with spontaneous lists of rules.
“Shame.”His stern tone spoke of repercussions she wouldn’t like.Her trepidation tightened at the sound, knotting in her stomach until she felt sick.“What about rule three?”
“Master, please.”Putting down her fork, she tried to reason with him.“I’m sorry, but I don’t remember.It’s been a stressful few hours, and I haven’t committed everything to memory.”
He could understand that, surely.He might have been prepared to take a woman into his custody, but she’d had no preparation for the things that had transpired.She should still be in shock about her abduction, but where there should have been cold panic, there was still only simmering apprehension.
“I encourage you to think, little one.”He shifted forward, leaning on the table between them.“There will be ramifications for each rule you forget.”
She closed her eyes, wondering how much more of his overbearing bullshit she could stand.The fact that he said he wasn’t planning on harming Shelley went a long way to allay her fears about his intentions, but she still couldn’t reconcile the way he thought he could just stride into her life and take over.She was a student.She had a PhD to complete and a life to live.She couldn’t just stay there, eating huge portions, taking the brunt of his palm, and screwing him—however good the last part sounded.
“Kristina!”His sharp tone drew her eyes open in a flash.“Do I need to come over there and help you?”
Glaring in his direction, she collected her fork and pierced a piece of tender stem broccoli.How was she going to make him understand that overeating only made her nauseous?
“Rule three.”He tapped his long fingers against the black wood.“I would think that one had stuck in your memory.”
She sighed, straining to try and remember what the stupid third rule was, but something about the way he expressed his exasperation resonated.The main thing she remembered about the time he’d elaborated his regulations was the fact that he’d denied her the orgasm she deserved.He’d said that she would only come if he agreed.
Her toes curled against the cool tiles.Was that what he expected her to admit?
“I only come if you say I can, Master.”She popped the broccoli into her mouth immediately, refusing to meet his eyes while she chewed.
“Better.”Unbelievably, he still sounded pissed off with her, though she could hardly grasp how when she was the one being forced to humiliate herself.“And finally, rule four.”
Finishing the piece of broccoli in her mouth, her attention slid over his honed body.Who was the guy who’d swept into her life like a cyclone and turned everything on its head?Who was he to tell her what to do?
“I do not lie to you, Master.”
That answer came more easily than she’d anticipated, mainly because it was the only one of the four she actually aligned with.Kris made it a habit to never lie to anybody intentionally.She prided herself on her honesty and integrity.That was why she’d apologized to him via text message, even when he’d sent her that first intimidating reply.She was a good person.
“Okay.”He leaned back in his seat, apparently placated.“Three out of four isn’t bad, little one.”
She shoveled another fork of lentils past her lips, thankful there had only been four freaking rules as she forced her gaze back to her glass.
“However, you did forget one.”He paused, dangling the possibility of retaliation in the air.“And it’s an important one, Kristina.”
Resisting the instinct to roll her eyes, she gripped her fork tighter.Was that how it was going to be?He claimed he wanted to care for and look after her, but then reduced her to someone who would obey him and parrot his rules on command.And when, inevitably, she got something wrong, he would forever be able to torment her with the threat of some dreadful consequence.
I can’t live like this.
Tears burned in her eyes as she attempted to reconcile her dazed feelings.It might take her days, or even weeks, to find a way out of Kronos’ white fortress.How was she supposed to cope with his twisted games until then?
“I don’t know what to say, Master.”
Though as she placed her fork down, she accepted there was only going to be one acceptable response.It was the same one she’d parroted multiple times already; she would have to apologize.
“I’m sorry I didn’t remember them all.”
“You’re going to learn to remember them,” he promised her.“But don’t worry, I’m going to help you.”
Her gaze flitted to his.He was going to help her?That didn’t sound much like Kronos.The only times he’d genuinely helped were when he’d frightened off her attackers, and then when he’d bestowed the breathtaking climax.Otherwise, he’d been nothing but a bane, constantly whining about obedience as though she were a dog.
“Help me how, Master?”She almost regretted asking.
