"Now I teach you the basics. The foundation that everything else builds on."
"Which is?"
"Obedience."
She stiffens immediately, her whole body going rigid. "I'm not a dog."
"No. You're a woman who belongs to me. And at the showcase, you need to demonstrate that clearly and without anydoubt. Without hesitation. Without visible resistance. So, we start with simple commands. Building the habit of compliance. Building your body's automatic response to my voice."
"This is insane."
"Perhaps. But it's happening anyway. And the more you fight it, the harder it will be. For both of us." I move closer, not crowding her but close enough that she has to tilt her head back to meet my eyes. "The first command is the easiest. Come here."
She doesn't move. Just stares at me with those defiant eyes.
"Eden. Come here."
"I'm already here."
"You're five feet away from me. I said come here. That means close enough to touch. Close enough that there's no space between us. Now."
She takes a reluctant step forward, moving like she's walking toward her execution.
Then another.
She stops when there's maybe a foot of space between us.
"Closer."
"Vaughn—"
"Closer. Close enough that I can feel your breath. Close enough that our bodies are almost touching."
She takes another step, and now we're almost making contact.
Her chest nearly brushes mine with each inhale.
I can smell her shampoo, something sweet.
Vanilla mixed with cinnamon, maybe.
"Good," I say, letting approval color my voice. "That's what 'come here' means. Close enough to touch. Close enough that there's no distance, no barrier between us. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
She glares at me, jaw tight. "Yes, I understand."
"Good girl."
That phrase again.
I watch her reaction carefully, cataloging every detail.
The flinch, like the words are physically touching her.
The flush spreading across her cheeks and down her neck.
