Page 73 of Captive Ruin

I scramble onto the bed, his hand still driving me. It fits around my neck like I’m nothing but a cat held by its scruff. His little stray.

The tub of Ben & Jerry’s catches my eye. Along with a spoon, it’s sitting innocuously on the nightstand, unopened, and covered in ice crystals from the freezer. No coaster beneath it, that bastard. Right now, I should be worrying about more important things, but it irritates me. It’s going to leave a ring on the wood.

Van Wyk pushes me down onto the mattress, until I’m lying flat against it.

I sense him go still.

“Where are my cuffs? I left them here.”

Oh yeah.

“Did you?”

“You know I did. Two pairs, if I’m not mistaken.” His voice is soft again, and I bite at my lip. “Where are they?”

“I… uh… took them off the headboard.”

“I can see that.” His hand tightens on my neck, pressing me into the bed. “Where are they?”

“In the…” My voice drops to a whisper. “…trash.”

“Right.” A pause. “Maybe you should go and get them out.” It’s more of a threat than a suggestion.

“I… kind of… cut them up.” This isn’t the best time to admit that, pinned naked face down, vulnerable and unable to even move. Maybe I shouldn’t have taken scissors to them, but at the time it was so damn satisfying.

“You did, did you?” His words are lazily amused.

“I figured you’d have more,” I say sullenly. “You had two pairs, after all.”

“My apologies for not purchasing three,” he says with a hint of sarcasm. Then he leans over me until his mouth is by my ear. “If you don’t wish to be bound by leather and velvet, you can be bound by my will. Hold the headboard with both hands.”

I’m complying before I even realize it. The bars are cold in my grip. Why did I do that so readily?

Because he’s fucking magnetic, and my will to resist is slipping away.

“If you move them,” he murmurs, “you’ll be punished more. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I whisper. So I am to be punished then. That was inevitable too.

I did try to shoot him, after all.

He keeps me pinned while he trails his freed hand down my back. “Lift your tight bottom for me, Little Stray.”

I do not appreciate the demeaning tone, or being addressed like I’m a slab of meat.

Don’t give in.

I grit my teeth, turning my head away from him, refusing to move.

He chuckles softly, the sound silky and far too patient. “Still pushing?”

Fuck you is on the tip of my tongue, but I bite it instead. Then gasp as his palm smacks into my ass, my body jerking.

“I’m going to spank you until you lift your bottom,” he tells me, “then when you do, I’ll start the punishment.”

“That’s not fair!” My protest slips out, and I’m rolling my eyes at myself even as he lets out another chuckle. Of course it’s not damn fair, it was never intended to be. All I’ve managed to do is amuse him.

“We can pretend you don’t want to play, but you can’t hide how wet you already are.” His palm spreads one cheek, opening me to his gaze. I squirm as much as his grip on my neck will allow, unable to help it. No doubt that only gives him more of a show.