Page 6 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

After all… he had done it before. It wasn’t even like she was forcing him. How could Stella force him into doing anything he didn’t want to do?

Slowly, he climbed onto the bed, his knees sinking into the mattress. The humiliation burned through him, but he forced himself to ignore it. This was for Ody’s protection. For the promise he had made. For the disaster he was trying to keep from exploding.

He moved closer, lowering his face between her open thighs, his mouth finding her.

She sighed, closing her eyes. “Mmm…” She let out a breath, clearly enjoying the control she had over the situation.

After a moment, she shifted and spoke again. “Come up here.”

Mano hesitated for a fraction of a second before moving higher on the bed.

“Lie back,” she said, and he did.

The mattress dipped as she stood and moved over him, her legs on either side of his head.

Mano shut his eyes, trying to block everything else out. Then he felt pressure on his mouth as she settled herself on his face.

He tensed and tried to jerk away, instinctively pulling back, but the pressure held him there. A muffled protest slipped from his throat.

“Shh. Keep going,” Stella murmured.

With his eyes still closed, her hand slipped under the pillow. Before he could react, she grabbed his hands. A sharp click. Mano’s eyes snapped open. His wrists were locked above his head, chained to the bed frame.

Stella stepped away, laughing.

Mano jerked against the restraints violently. “Untie me. Now!”

“You look good like this. Helpless.” She took a few slow steps toward the edge of the bed, then pulled her underwear and shorts back on, unhurried. “I’m used to seeing you very differently.”

Mano’s chest heaved. “I’ll break this damn bed, untie me!” he shouted, yanking hard. The metal bit into his wrists. The cuffs didn’t budge. A strained sound tore from him before he stilled, breath unsteady. His eyes lifted to his bound hands above his head. He stared at them for a moment before looking away again.

Stella stood a few steps away, her phone raised, aimed straight at him.

Mano froze. “Don’t—” his voice cracked. “Don’t you dare!”

Stella laughed, soft and pleased. The camera flashed.

“I’ll kill you!” Mano shouted. “The moment I’m free, you’re dead!”

“And who said you’re getting free?” A faint smile played on her lips.

Mano went still, staring at her. The flash went off. “Stop!” he snapped, jerking against the restraints again. The bed frame rattled under the force.

“Are you going to do what I tell you?” Stella asked calmly.

“You’re dead,” he spat. “You’re fucking dead.”

“You’re going to do exactly what I say,” she went on, the phone still aimed at him, “or I start sending these to my friends.” She smiled. “Oh… and Odysseus. He’d probably love to see them.”

“Stop!” Mano shouted. “Stop taking pictures!” He turned his head, squeezing his eyes shut as another flash lit up the room.

“Look at the camera,” Stella said, a hint of amusement in her voice.

He didn’t.

“Don’t worry,” she added. “I’m just getting started.”

“How much more of this shit do you want?”