“Mmhm. I’m one of Mr. Daniels’ personal assistants.” Lauren flashed him a grin. “If there’s anything you need to tell him, I can pass the messagealong.”
“Um.” Owen wasn’t sure if what he had to say was appropriate. “Just tell him thanks for thepackage.”
“Will do.” Lauren winked. “I’m off! See youlater.”
“Bye.”
As she turned to leave, Owen eased the door shut and locked it. Once his privacy was restored, he let go of the towel to hang from his hips by itself and held the box with both hands. Carefully, he shook it. Something inside rattled. Whatever it was, it wasmetallic.
Owen brought the box to the kitchen and grabbed the scissors from the drawer. He cut into the tape and openedthebox.
Folded atop a small, gift wrapped package wasanote.
Pet,
Until I conquer your wild spirit, I need you to prove yourself to me. Your choice is in the box. Do or don’t. I’ll see you this Friday, nine o’clock, at TheShepherd.
CD
Owen set the note down and picked up the gift. He tore the wrapping and cast it aside to find an unmarked white box beneath. The insides clanked when he moved it, and he felt the weight of whatever was inside shifting as he turned the box to look for the best way toopenit.
There was a flap inserted into a slit holding the top closed. Owen slid the flap out, then opened the top of the box and emptied the contents into his hand. For a second he had no idea what he was looking at. The stainless steel rings didn’t makesense.
The padlock brought ittogether.
Owen gawked at the contraption, twisting it around in disbelief. It was a cock cage. The padlock was left open. There didn’t appear to beakey.
Owen set it down on his kitchen table and looked in the gift box a second time, wondering if the key was taped to the bottom. He didn’t find a key, but he did find a second note. It was flush with the side of the box, almostoverlooked.
There are two phone numbers at the bottom of this message. The first will connect you to my private cellphone, the second to my personal assistant, Lauren. Here is your choice, pet. Put your gift on immediately, lock it, and send an image of it to my phone. You’ll notice the middle ring is engraved with my initials—I require them to be visible in thephoto.
If the cage proves too small or is too uncomfortable, contact Lauren. She will bring you the key, and I will provide you with another cagetouse.
Friday you willbefree.
By the time Owen was finished reading the note, his hands were shaking. He sank into his kitchen chair and let the note fall onto the table, running his hands through his hair. The crushing lust he’d felt the night before was back, and it made him want nothing more than todisobey.
A cock cage. Crawford had sent himacockcage.
He wantedpictures.
DidLaurenknow?
Owen’s cheeks heated. He folded his arms and buried his face into them, mortified. Lauren had to know—her phone number was listed at the bottom of the note. If she was responsible for bringing himthekey…
The embarrassment crept down Owen’s neck and across his collar bone. He’d just stepped out of the shower, but he already felt damp with sweat. Was he really supposed to last six days in a cage? If he put it on and locked it, there was no way he’d be able to touch himself. Crawford would control his pleasure until he turned the key in the lock and setOwenfree.
Sucking in a breath, Owen picked up the device and stood. His chest rose and fell like he’d runarace.
It was just a piece ofmetal.
It was justsixdays.
He’d gone through his heat already, and even with his wildly irregular and hyperactive fertility cycle, he wouldn’t be due again for another few months atleast.
He coulddoit.
The towel fell from his hips and pooled around his feet. His erection had waned. Gingerly, Owen inserted his penis through the loops and tightened the open top around his shaft, then fed the padlock through the hoops that would hold it in place. The metal was cold against his skin, and although it wasn’t heavy, Owen noticed the additional weight. He sucked in a breath, held it, and clicked thepadlockshut.
