Page 33 of Promise of Punishment

If she knew who stood before her right now, I doubt she’d talk to me at all.

The rush that floods my body is one I only get before a fight when I know I’m going to unleash the monster and feed it the way it likes. But unlike in the ring, I don’t want to hurt Fable. I want to bend her to my will.

The idea has my dick swelling.

“I’ll make you a bet, angelus,” I say, calling her angel in Latin.

Her gaze snaps up with suspicion. “What kind of bet?”

“How much do you want this job?”

She scowls and shakes her head. “I’m not having sex with you for it.”

“I would only have sex with you if you begged me for it. And you would.” Christ, this talk is making my dick throb. If she looked down, she’d see how much.

“That would never happen.” She steps back, her arms tightening across her chest. “I was told the staff doesn’t have to participate in anything.”

“They don’t, but you’re special.”

“I prefer to be invisible.” She glances at her cat and her bag, not her alert bracelet. No trace of fear shows in her eyes, only a plan. Of course, she wouldn’t fear danger with her upbringing. That softens my dick and my drive to possess her.

“Is that what you want out of this job or in life?” Something tells me it’s both. I sit on the bench at the foot of the bed, my back straight, my gaze on her, but my height less intimidating, to relax her enough to answer honestly.

She glances at her bag and cat again, then turns toward me, assessing my body language.

“People from abusive backgrounds notice everything,” I blurt for reasons I can only explain as wanting to put her at ease. “When you’re born into a family you can’t trust, you learn as young as a toddler to be on guard. Reading a room and the people in it becomes a survival instinct. I’m not going to hurt you, Fable. I see a kindred spirit, and I want to help.”

“You can’t help me. No one can.” She slaps a hand over her mouth, then closes her eyes for a moment before composing herself. “I thought you wanted to make me a bet?” She flashes a sweet grin.

“Ah. The old changing the topic trick.” I slide my palms up and down my thighs. She watches, and something flares in her eyes. Desire? Makes me curious. “Come here.”

Her gaze tightens with suspicion, but her thighs also squeeze together. Did that turn her on?

“Come here, Fable.” I make my tone soft but no less authoritative.

“Will you remove your mask?”

I shake my head. “The Lords never remove their masks. The guests don’t either.”

She gives my body another once over, then slowly but deliberately walks to me.

“Good angel,” I purr and drink in her beauty. “Every time you obey me, you’ll earn a reward.”

“Is that the bet?”

“Fuck the bet. Now that I’ve seen your face, I can’t get it out of my mind.” It’s partly true. Ever since I first looked upon her in that shed, I’ve been haunted.

Her breath catches as if she’s surprised, but her cheeks flush as if she’s never been complimented. How can that be? Anyone with eyes can see her beauty.

“What is it you want?”

Slowly, I rest my hands on her waist. When she doesn’t resist, I pull her between my spread legs. She plants her tiny hands on my shoulders. Either to stop me from pulling her even closer, or they land there in her surprise. Never have I wanted to rip my mask off as badly as I do now, so I can see her clearly and not through this annoying mesh.

Her breath blows a little faster, and her eyes glitter with need. This is more than I expected from her. Has my little angel been deprived of a man’s touch? I like that. “I want to keep you here full-time. I want to have you with me when I visit. I want to earn your trust, and eventually, I’d like to fuck you. But only with your consent.”

Her delicious lips part with a gasp, and lust pours from her in waves, charging the air between us.

“Would you like that, little angel?” If this were Camila, she’d be soaking my dick with her needy pussy. But I have no desire for Camila, unfortunately. A challenge has presented itself before me, and I plan to conquer it.