"No."
The hope dies as quickly as it came.
"The showcase is happening, Eden. In three weeks. And you will be there with me. The only question is whether you participate willingly or whether I have to force your compliance. Whether you choose to submit or whether I break you until you have no choice."
"I'll never be willing. Never."
"We'll see."
That fucking phrase.
Ihatethat phrase more than anything.
"Right now," he continues, his voice still calm, still controlled, "we're going to address your punishment for running."
My heart starts racing, slamming against my ribs. "What are you going to do?"
"Show you what happens when you try to leave me. Show you why running is pointless. Show you that your body belongs to me whether you want to admit it or not."
He pulls me onto his lap before I can react.
I try to resist but he's so much stronger, moving me like I weigh nothing.
I end up straddling him, the robe falling open, my bare skin against his clothed body.
His jeans are rough against my inner thighs.
His shirt is soft against my breasts.
The intimacy of the position makes my breath catch.
"Vaughn—"
"Shh. You had your chance to talk. Had your chance to run. Now you listen. Now you learn."
His hands settle on my waist, warm through the cotton of the robe.
Large enough to span almost completely around me.
"You ran because you were scared," he says, his voice low and intense. "Scared of the showcase, yes. But also scared ofthis. Scared of how much you want me. How much your body responds to me. How much you need what I can give you."
"I don't want you."
"Liar."
His hand slides up, slow and deliberate.
Cups my breast through the robe.
His thumb brushes over my nipple and it hardens immediately, betraying me.
Proving his point without words.
"Your body doesn't lie, Eden. Even when your mouth does. Even when you're trying so hard to convince yourself that you don't want this."
"Stop."
"Do you really want me to stop? Or do you want me to make you feel what you felt before? Make you come apart like you did that night? Make you remember that your pleasure belongs to me?"
