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ChapterNine
Ava
When Roman arrives back at our suite at one o’clock, I’m dressed and ready for the paintball games in the required two-piece swimsuit and sneakers, with a pair of khaki shorts to cover the skimpy bottom of my bikini.I’ve had plenty of time to think over the past day and a half, and although I’m not completely sure I want to continue in the games, I can’t pull the trigger on leaving either.For my safe word, I’d picked Tony—what he’d suggested I call him that first fateful day that my life changed forever—so I’d remember exactly what I was giving up if I was tempted to drop out of the games.And as I’d anticipated, just thinking about him is enough to stop me from quitting quite yet.The humiliation of Friday night haunts me, but what Anthony did was far worse, and I want him to pay.And if I’m perfectly honest with myself, up until the last event, there was something liberating and even a little thrilling about participating in the games.They’ve stirred something inside me I never in a million years dreamed existed, and I’m intrigued enough to want to know more.
Sitting on that saddle trying to make myself climax while a man I barely know whipped me had been awful, but I know deep down I can’t completely blame Roman.I haven’t been exactly honest with him, and he has no idea I’m not like the rest of the girls here.He didn’t know I’ve never even had a man inside me, much less participated in games like this.As far as he’s concerned, I’m an experienced submissive or, at the very least, knowledgeable enough about the lifestyle to have known what I was getting myself into when I submitted my application.
The truth of the matter is that in addition to the utter humiliation of that scene, I’d let myself fall a little for Roman Castile, and as a result I’d felt betrayed by him for doing what he was supposed to do as my Dom for the games.That had been my mistake, and one I won’t make again if I stay.Roman’s nothing but a partner for the games and a means to an end—ruining my stepfather’s career.After the show’s over, I’ll probably never even see him again.
Before I met Roman, I’d had no idea being with a man could be like this—so potent and all-consuming and exhilaratingly wonderful.But like an idiot, as soon as he’d given me a taste of passion, I’d confused the awakening of my buried sensuality for an attraction to him.
There’s definitely chemistry between us, but it clearly could never be anything more.He’s arrogant, controlling, intimidating, and unyielding, and as a true Dom I’m sure he wants someone to share this lifestyle with him, not a pretend submissive who’s independent, stubborn, and cut out for an entirely different life.And although he may have ignited me sexually, I’m not looking for a relationship, particularly not with someone like Roman.My plans could never include a man who would take over and make me as weak as my mother.I’ve got to stay focused on my goal, which, after hopefully ruining my stepfather’s career by participating in the games, consists of getting a job and moving on with my life—alone.
“It looks like you’re ready for the games this afternoon.Does that mean you’ve decided to stay?”Roman asks as he takes in my outfit.
“For now,” I concede.
He nods slightly in acknowledgment and goes into the bedroom to change.
An hour later, we’re in a plush, air-conditioned shuttle bus, heading north out of Las Vegas.We pass a sign directing us to Mount Charleston, and several miles later the shuttle turns down a hidden gravel driveway at the top of a hill, finally stopping at a clearing surrounded by woods.We all get off the bus, taking in the picturesque views.
Unlike the arid atmosphere of Las Vegas, it’s cooler here, and the mountains around us are breathtaking.Although we’re probably only about a half hour from the Strip, it feels like we’re a million miles away from the lights and sounds of Vegas.The location is heavily wooded, and the open areas are lush with wildflowers.However, while it’s been easy to forget that the other group events at the hotel were being televised since the cameras are discreetly hidden, ironically here in the wilderness it’s glaringly apparent; cameras are set up everywhere.Roman’s words echo in my head, and I remind myself to ignore the cameras and focus on the game.
After a few minutes, Logan gathers us together to explain the rules for today’s event.
“We’re down to ten couples,” he announces.“After today, there will only be eight.Our paintball event today will consist of three individual games.We’re on private property, so we can do whatever we want ...within reason.”He smiles wickedly.“The fields have been marked off by rope, and all contestants must stay within the marked boundaries at all times.If you leave the designated playing field during a heat, you’ll be disqualified.Is everyone with me so far?”
We all nod, and I can feel a tiny flare of excitement.If nothing else, it’s invigorating being out of the hotel and outside for a change.
“In deference to our submissives and their lack of protective attire, the paintball guns we’ll be using are low-pressure, meaning they won’t hurt or bruise as much as a regular paintball gun.There will be different-color paint to keep track of who’s been hit in each game, and each round will last fifteen minutes.Is everyone ready?”
There’s an air of excited anticipation among the contestants, and everyone cheers loudly.Tessa flashes me a smile and winks, and I wish I could be more like her—open and confident and ready for whatever the world throws at her.
“Our first heat is called Trophy Hunter, and this game will pit each Dom and sub pair against each other.Doms, your goal is to hit your submissives in the rear, crotch, or breasts.At the end of the fifteen minutes, where your submissive has paint corresponds to what trophy she’ll receive for the next round.If you hit her in the ass, she’ll wear a plug.If you tag her in the front, she’ll get an egg vibrator.If you shoot her chest, she’ll sport clamps.”The submissives shift uncomfortably.
“Submissives, you will also be armed and can defend yourselves.Every shot that hits your Dom—regardless of where—negates one of his shots.It will be the submissive’s choice which shot is canceled out.So if your Dom hits your ass and breasts, and you hit him once, you choose whether you take the plug or clamps in the next round.If you manage to shoot your Dom three times, you’re safe, at least for the next round.Do you all understand?”
“Hell, yeah!”Bella shouts.“That means the submissives have the advantage for once.Get ready to go down, Sir!”she taunts Karl good-naturedly.
“Don’t be so sure, little one,” he says smugly.“I’m even better with a gun than with a lasso.”
We all laugh at that, and Logan smiles.“Doms can only shoot their own submissives, and submissives can only shoot their own Doms.”He sounds an air horn.“When you hear this sound, the game will begin.Submissives will have a thirty-second lead.When the air horn sounds again, the Doms may go.When the air horn sounds a third time, the heat is over, and Doms and subs will return to this clearing to accept their trophies.”
Roman leans over to me and says under his breath, “I plan to play full-out, Avalon.If you don’t want to compete, then say your safe word now, and it ends.But until you do, I won’t make exceptions or go easy on you.That’s not how this works.Do you understand?”
I nod mutely.It makes me feel oddly better knowing that Roman isn’t going to treat me any differently.And after being stuck in the hotel with nothing but my own thoughts for the past few days, I’m actually looking forward to running off some pent-up energy playing paintball.
I’m also competitive, and Roman just threw down the gauntlet.
“By all means,” I agree.“A false victory isn’t nearly as sweet.And I intend to compete the next round paint-free,” I add confidently.
Roman flashes me that killer grin that makes everything in me melt, and I feel myself soften toward him a little bit more.Although he’s gorgeous as sin, it’s that grin of his and his irreverent sense of humor that make me genuinely like him, not just lust after him.And when he smiles at me like that, he almost seems human.
The air horn sounds, and I take off running with the rest of the submissives.I’ve left my shorts on the bus, and I run quickly but carefully through the wooded area so I don’t scrape myself on the low-hanging branches of the juniper trees.A bikini doesn’t provide much protection, and the thought of a paintball, even a low-pressure one, hitting my bare flesh gives me added incentive to elude Roman’s fire.I decide my best offense is a good defense, so I scramble up into a small tree and wait.
The sound of the air horn splits the air again, and a few minutes later I see Karl, Shawn, and Luke stealthily walk beneath me.After a few more minutes, Roman appears.I watch him walk right past me, and I let out the breath I was holding when he disappears back out into the meadow that’s populated with a variety of barricades and bunkers.I hear the sound of pounding feet, and Desiree darts past with Stefan hot on her heels.There’s a pop, and I can see the splat of paint on the butt of Desiree’s swimsuit.She squeals, fires a few wild shots back at him, and then takes off running again.The air is filled with the sound of paintball guns firing, along with shrieks of laughter and yelps of surprise, and the occasional swear word from a Dom who’s been hit, but I bide my time in my tree.With any luck, I can wait Roman out up here for the entire fifteen minutes.
The shot takes me completely off guard, hitting me square in the ass and almost knocking me out of the tree.I turn around in surprise and see Roman salute me from below, a diabolical grin on his face.Shit!I’ve got to get out of this tree.
