This is getting more fun by the second...
“I have no desire to kick you off the Games,” I told him. “But your violation of both the rules and my privacy is an infraction I must punish.”
Alaric swallowed. I noticed his gaze darting to the inflatable behind me, as if worried he’d suffer the same fate.
But perhapssufferingwasn’t the right term. Was it my imagination, or did I see a flash of curiosity in his eyes?
I strode closer to the inflatable, running my hand across the dragon’s smooth, rubbery neck. Alaric watched with full attention. When my fingers caught on the toy’s thick black collar, his breathing audibly hitched.
A warm feeling stirred in my chest. Was Alaric interested in this sort of thing? I wasn’t one to jump to conclusions, but the inquisitive gleam in his gaze didn’t lie.
I tested my theory by hooking my finger under the collar and tugging on it.
Alaric sucked in a breath. Not scared or disgusted. Just curious.
I watched him for a long moment, waiting for his expression to change, but it didn’t. I wasn’t making things up. Hewasinterested.
That changed everything.
With one deft motion, I unlocked the collar from the inflatable and held it in my palm. Alaric stared at it as I approached him.
“Tell you what,” I began. “You will be punished. But not by being excluded from this season.”
His burning gaze snapped to mine.
“Instead, this collar will be your punishment,” I explained. “It represents our pact of mutual secrecy.”
He scoffed loudly. “You want me to wear a collar like some kind of pet?” he challenged.
But he was unable to stop the blush creeping into his cheeks. I sensed his desire for the item, despite his act of half-baked rebellion.
“Yes, Alaric. I want you to wear it as proof of your penance,” I said.
Upon hearing me say his name, his blush deepened. His cheeks were the vivid pink of a blooming rose.
“Fine,” he spat. “I’ll wear your ridiculous fetish gear, you green-haired bastard.”
I grinned. That was a nickname I could get used to, especially coming from those haughty lips.
“Excellent.” I unfurled the collar, preparing to place it around his thin, smooth neck. “Remember, it represents our promise.”
As my fingers brushed against Alaric’s skin, I felt the rapid thrum of his pulse. An electric jolt zapped up my finger and down my spine.
Was this how it felt to touch another person? Or was there something special about Alaric?
Ignoring the random burst of arousal, I held steady. I draped the luxurious collar around Alaric’s neck. When I finally clicked it into place, I heard the tiniest whimper escape his lips.
For some reason, I didn’t want to pull away from him, but I forced myself to step back and examine my work.
He looked beautiful with the collar on. His pale, creamy skin complimented the expensive black leather adorning his throat, and the silver heart-shaped trinket added to his kittenish charm.
Alaric screwed up his nose like a cat tasting sour milk. He touched the collar, getting a feel for the novel accessory. Then his brows furrowed. “Wait a second. Where’s the buckle?”
Poor Alaric. He assumed it was like a regular pet collar. Clearly he hadn’t taken a good look at the collar before allowing me to put it on.
“That’s not how it works,” I clarified.
“Then how do I get it off?” he snarled.
