My heart beats so hard that my vision sharpens. Heat curls low in my abdomen as if something long-starved just caught the scent of blood. The thought of her watching me—really watching—doesn't tighten my restraint. It loosens it, strips somethingferal free, and I have to brace my hand against the window to keep from smiling at how badly I want it.
She knows exactly what she's doing.
She always has.
That's the part of her that both fascinates and terrifies me. She's precise. She adapts. She moves pieces without appearing to touch the board.
Blue isn't spiraling. She's positioning. And if I'm brutally honest, I don't want to stop her. I should put on my professional hat and try my damnedest. But I can't. And the truth sinks into me, taking hold with new life.
I want to see how far Blue will take this with me.
Not with Brax or any other man.
With me.
The thought lands and stays, heavy and undeniable. I drain the glass, set it down, and stare out at the city again. The lights blink, indifferent, endless.
Another chirp rings out.
Blue: Go on. Look in your nightstand, Dr. Mercer.
She's watching me.
My lips curl before I can stop them. My cock turns so hard, it aches. I scan the street again but can't see her, so I finally turn and go into the bedroom, turning on the light so she can see me, knowing she's watching me even if I can't see her. I go straight to the nightstand and pull it open.
Inside, there's an identical envelope. This one has red lip marks on it.
I grin, with my pulse steadying instead of racing. The anticipation feels organized now, arranged with care, like she's already decided how this ends and is letting me discover it in stages.
"Careful, Blue," I murmur to the empty room, voice low and unrecognizable. "If you keep leaving breadcrumbs like this, you don't get to act surprised when I decide to follow you all the way into the dark."
A chirp dings.
I glance at my phone.
Blue: Open it, Dr. Mercer. I'm waiting.
Before I can think, I text back.
Me: You're not in control, Blue. I am.
Blue: Whatever you say, Dr. Mercer. Feel free to take your time. I like watching you exhibit restraint.
She is watching me!
I try to ground myself, breathing a few times, then sit on the edge of the bed. The envelope is heavier than paper should be. I unclasp the back and pull out a new photo, swallowing hard.
Blue's in her white lingerie. Red Owns Me is written in lipstick across her stomach with an arrow pointed at her pussy.
"Jesus fucking Christ," I mutter, with heat barreling so fast inside me that the red lipstick turns fuzzy.
Chirp!
My jaw ticks. I glance at my phone.
Blue: I can't stop thinking about how you looked.
My jaw tightens. I don't respond. Silence is still a tool. I set the envelope on the mattress and sit back against the headboard, unable to tear my eyes off the photo.
