It’s dehumanizing and humiliating.
The unbidden heat that pools in my lower belly unsettles me, its suddenness catching me off guard, conflicting with my humiliation.
I hate that my pulse jumps with every scrape of the chain across the marble floor. I hate that my thighs squeeze together with every move he makes. I hate that the collar’s weight doesn’t even feel restraining. It’s areminder.
This is my punishment for leaving him chained to the bed.
And putting salt in his coffee.
And spitting on him…
Fuck.
He doesn’t look at me right away. That’s completely deliberate on his part. Instead, he cuts into my steak with careful precision, the knife ripping the medium-rare meat apart before his arm dips down under the table, and he offers it to me from betweenhis fingers rather than with a utensil. His eyes finally shift to me, still darkened with desire as he observes me like a pet.
“Eat,” he commands softly.
His voice makes heat flare low as I shift forward and take the steak between my teeth. I peer up through my lashes as the rich taste dances across my tongue. It’s delicious, but I’m feeling a different kind of hunger…
I swallow, never breaking eye contact. He watches my mouth the whole time, fire erupting across my cheeks as I shift closer and the chain rattles. He withdraws his hand, dabbing at his fingers with a napkin before picking up his knife and cutting another bite for me.
“Good?” He asks.
I nod once, the collar warm against my throat. He offers me another bite, and I take it gingerly, my teeth scraping over his fingers in a small warning.
I could bite you at any second.
His jaw flexes as his eyes narrow. “You remember why you’re down there?”
“Unfortunately,” I respond sweetly.
He leans back in his chair as he chuckles quietly and passes a hand over his mouth. “You won’t break me, and I won’t break you, Melody, but the punishments will continue the longer your little revenge plan plays out. Keep that in mind. I can do far worse than chaining you under a table…”
Hmm. That almost sounds like a challenge. I know it isn’t, but right now, I’m feeling vindictive.
I may not break him, but I won’t yield. One of us will give up eventually, and I don’t want it to be me.
He offers me another bite, and I take it without complaint as my soaked thighs squelch together. The sound reaches him as my cheeks turn pink with embarrassment. So much for not making my arousal obvious…
“You like this?” He questions low, his face softening into curiosity.
I look away from him, my throat tight as I stammer through my words. “I-I like when you tell me what to do…”
His brows lift. “It’s called power exchange. You like the dominance and control I have over you.”
I stare down at the floor, turning his explanation over in my head. “Yes.”
His hand cups my chin as he tilts my head up to him. His eyes are still calculating and dark, but his expression is open and easy. “Are you okay? Communicate with me.”
I swallow, my eyes fluttering. “I’m fine. It’s just…different.”
“And is that a good thing?” He whispers.
I nod.
He releases me, then grabs another stalk of broccoli and offers it to me. “You’re doing well, pretty girl.”
I preen despite my humiliation as I take it between my teeth. He could choose to be cold and aloof. This is a punishment after all, but he’s checking in with me to make sure I’m okay. It’s kind of him…
