Decadence After Dark: The Complete Collection (Dark Romance box set) : Owned, Claimed, Ruined, Lie With Me, Elicit (Decadence After Dark )

by M Never

  “You have twenty minutes to eat, then bed. I’ll be back.” His tone is flat, almost detached.

  The door clicks shut behind him, and I’m alone again, in yet another cell.

  In a fit of desperation I attack the door, yanking on the handle with some sliver of hope it might open. Tears run down my cheeks. I’m a captive. Going to be forced to do things with a man I once obsessed over and now hate. I pull at the collar and scream. This can’t be happening! It just can’t. I have a family, I have a future. I have a life waiting for me beyond this room. I pound harder, yell louder. But it’s no use. Deep down I know it. I can feel it. I’m his.

  When my energy is depleted, I slump down onto the floor. I can’t stop the tears from flowing as I lie there defeated. That’s when Kayne returns. Has it been twenty minutes already?

  He opens the door and it jams against my body. “Ellie, what the fuck?” He steps over me and into the room.

  “Not hungry?” He takes notice of the untouched food.

  “Fuck you,” I spit.

  “I hope so.” He lifts my limp body off the ground. Keep dreaming. I will never give my body or my will over to him. “You’re going to need your strength.” He places me on the enormous bed that can sleep ten.

  “For what?” I ask dejectedly.

  “Me.”

  He picks up the end of the chain attached to the collar and locks it around one of the curves of the iron headboard.

  “What the fuck!” I yank and pull.

  “This is how you’ll sleep. New puppies need to be chained up.”

  “I’m not a fucking puppy!” I erupt.

  “No, you’re right,” Kayne muses. “You’re more like a frisky little kitten.” He runs one finger down my face the way you would pet a cat. I jerk my head away.

  He jerks me back by the collar. Fucking thing. Rage burns a hole through my chest.

  “You’ll learn, kitten.”

  “I hate you.”

  “We’ve established that. We’ve also established that you’ll get over it.” He kisses me quickly on the lips. “Tomorrow we start.”

  “Start what?” I snarl.

  “Obedience training.”

  I LEAVE ELLIE’S ROOM WITH my emotions in a stir. I stand by the door and listen to her scream bloody murder for the second time tonight. Part of me hates myself for doing this. Part of me knows it’s the only way.

  Part of me can’t wait to tie her up and dominate the fuck out of her. I’ll have her begging. You just wait.

  The only way to keep her safe is to turn her into the one thing I’m trying to protect her from. The last three days have been hell watching her waste away in that tiny cell. They would have been worse if I had to witness her at the mercy of Javier. I may have collared and chained her to the bed, but her screams would be blood-curdling if she were confined to his room. He’d have no sympathy for her pain or tolerance for her disobedience. He’d starve her, torture her, and leave her for dead. Fuck that. I may run an elaborate whore house, but no one has the right to treat another human being like that. Listen to me, righteous motherfucker. I’m the one who has a captive on the other side of this door.

  But no one can know. No one can know I had any other reason for taking Ellie than to make her my slave. Not even Ellie. It would be too dangerous. Make me too vulnerable. Make her a target.

  And I can’t let that happen. There’s too much at stake.

  I leave Ellie to scream herself to sleep. With the lack of food and earlier outburst, I doubt she’ll last much longer.

  SUNLIGHT BECKONS ME AWAKE.

  My mouth is dry and my throat is sore. Where am I? Then I remember. The chain clinks as I move. I’m a prisoner. I pull on the collar and fiddle with the lock. Off. I just want it fucking off.

  Suddenly the door opens and I instinctively huddle into a ball, naked and completely defenseless.

  “Ah, you’re up.” A tall, nice looking man with turquoise eyes and a shock of blond hair saunters toward me. I recoil.

  “There, there,” he coos. Pulling on the chain once he reaches the bed. I resist him. “Aren’t you a pretty thing? No wonder Kayne wanted you. Come here.”

  “No. Who are you?” I fight him.

  “Jett.” He yanks harder, forcing me closer to him. “I’m your keeper.”

  “I don’t need a keeper. I need to go home!”

  Jett grabs my face, ignoring me. He moves it around like he’s inspecting me.

  “Sweetheart, the only place you’re going is into the shower.”

  “I took a shower last night,” I say bitterly, recalling the way Kayne manhandled and spanked me.

  “It’s time for another. You also need to be groomed.”

  “Groomed! I’m not an animal!” I try to snap my head back.

  Jett looks into my eyes, clutching my face tighter. “Technically you’re owned, so you’re the equivalent.”

  Tears threaten.

  “Ellie. I will tell you this once. Cooperate with me or I will tie you down and spank you until you do.”

  “Is that my life now? Beating after beating?”

  “It doesn’t have to be. But you have to listen and do as Kayne and I say.”

  “Do I belong to both of you?” The words slice my tongue as they roll out of my mouth.

  “No. You’re just Kayne’s. But I do have the authority to punish you if you don’t behave.” His pretty eyes flash with something dark. Jett looks like he belongs on a beach with a surfboard. But it’s clear he’s no laidback surfer.

  “So, what’s it going to be sweet thing? We can be friends or we can be enemies. It’s up to you. Personally, I’d like to be friends. It will make things easier for everyone involved.”

  I only stare up at him. I can’t bring myself to submit. It’s not who I am, it’s not who I was raised to be. After a few drawn out moments Jett nods, then pulls out a set of keys from his pocket and unlocks the padlock linking the chain to the collar. I just sit until he tells me to move. At this point I don’t know what else to do. I don’t want to get hurt.

  “Bathroom?” he points. I get up and walk into the room. Covering as much of my nakedness as I can.

  “Good girl,” he says in a condescending tone as he walks behind me. I hate it. Once in the bathroom, he turns on the shower. “We’ll groom you first, then breakfast.”

  “Groom?” I repeat curiously.

  “Mmmm hmmm.” He pulls out a table from the linen closet and opens it up.

  “What’s that for?”

  “You’ll see.” He pulls the key ring out from his pocket and unlocks the collar, removing it from my neck. I immediately rub my sore throat. “In you go.”

  I step into the stall and allow the water to scald my skin. The temperature of my shower is about the only thing I have control over at the moment.

  “Wash,” Jett instructs. I stick my tongue out at him as I turn for the soap.

  “I saw that,” he says amused. I guess better amused than pissed off.

  I wash my hair and my body slowly, elongating the shower as much as possible. The smell of eucalyptus engulfs my senses, but the calming scent does nothing to unwind the anxiety coiled around me.

  “Done,” Jett announces. He opens the door and turns the shower off.

  “Hey!” I immediately jump and cover myself. He pulls my arms away from chest. “Get over the modesty. And get used to being naked.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that’s how Kayne wants you.” He wraps me in a towel and dries me off. I feel like I’m losing all self-sufficiency.

  “Why me?” I ask forlornly.

  “He has his reasons.” Jett works to dry my hair.

  “I wish someone would share them with me.”

  “You don’t need to worry about his reasons. All you need to do is what you’re told.”

  “What if I can’t be submissive? Then what?” I challenge.

  “I don’t think you want to know.”

  My lip quivers. “He’s going t
o hurt me, isn’t he?” An image of the table in the other room flashes in front of my face.

  “Not if you listen.”

  “What does he want from me?” I demand with my emotions bubbling over.

  Jett gives me an I think you know look. “Don’t be naive, Ellie. It doesn’t become you. You know exactly what he wants.” Your obedience, your submission, your body. “You’ve been acquired as a sex slave.”

  “Don’t use that word!” I scream with my head in my hands, tears bursting from eyes. The word slave sounds like nails being dragged down a chalkboard. “I can’t do this. You have to let me go!” I sob.

  “Shhh, Ellie.” Jett wraps me in his arms. “You can and you will.”

  “Why?” I cry into his shoulder.

  “Because—” Jett pulls away and looks into my eyes. I see compassion there. “Listen to me Ellie. You need to trust Kayne. I know that might be hard, but he’s doing this for a reason.”

  “How can I trust him?” I ask with my universe in turmoil. “He puts a collar on me and forces me to walk around naked. And soon ...” I wipe my eyes. “Soon ... I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

  “The only thing I can tell you is things aren’t always as they seem.”

  I search Jett’s eyes. “What does that mean?”

  He just shakes his head. “Trust Kayne.”

  Easy for him to say.

  “Enough talk, Ellie. It’s time to be strong. Lay on the table.”

  “What are you going to do?” I sniff.

  Jett looks at me with an annoyed expression. “Here’s your first lesson in submission. Don’t ask questions, don’t talk back, and do as you’re told.”

  I frown.

  “Now go, or I’ll force you down and tie you to it.”

  His eyes tell me all I need to know: Don’t fuck with me.

  I lay on the table, naked with my hair still damp and my emotions spiraling out of control.

  “Pull your knees up and spread your legs. Put your hands over your head.” I do as he says, panting nervously.

  “Breathe, Ellie.”

  “What are you going to do?” I ask again.

  “Wax you.” He smears warm sticky stuff all over my pubic hair. I flinch. He holds me still with firm hands. “Don’t move.”

  Then he covers the smeared wax with strips of cloth. I breathe heavily, anticipating the pain.

  “Have you ever had a Brazilian before?” Jett asks as he rips the first strip off.

  “No!” I shriek as scalding pain burns my skin and tears run out of my eyes. God, will I ever stop crying?

  Jett rips off strip after agonizing strip, until I am completely bare. Bare physically and bare emotionally. “Aloe,” he says showing me a green blob of something on his fingers before he applies it to my sensitive skin. The cool gel eases the pain slightly, but not nearly enough. The way he handles me makes me feel like an object. Like my humanity is being stripped away layer by precious layer.

  “Up you go.” He takes one of my hands, and I stand, a little wobbly, on my feet.

  “Turn around and rest your hands on the table,” Jett instructs. “We’re not done yet.”

  Dear God, what now? I reluctantly do as he says. Hating every second of this new life.

  “Are you on any birth control?” he asks matter-of-factly.

  “No, why?” I look over my shoulder. He’s holding a syringe.

  “Good.” He stabs me in the ass.

  “What is that?” I grit my teeth and wince as the needle penetrates my skin. How much more must I endure today?

  “Depo-Provera,” he informs me, and the realization as to why I need birth control hits home. This is really happening. I’m becoming Kayne’s whore. I start to hyperventilate.

  “Ellie, calm down.” Jett rubs my back. “You need to eat.” He takes my arm and leads me back into the bedroom. “Lie down, I’ll be right back. Is there anything you’re allergic to?”

  “No,” I cry into the pillow. My ass is sore, my vagina is throbbing, and I feel like a humiliated mess.

  I don’t know how long Jett is gone. But I’m still suffocating myself with the pillow when he returns.

  “Time to eat.” He pulls me up and forces me to sit at the small table where a silver dome is waiting for me. Jett lifts it to reveal scrambled eggs and buttered toast.

  “Eat it. All of it. It will make you feel better.”

  I stare at the food with puffy eyes. As much as I don’t want to eat, my stomach rumbles loudly, so I pick up the fork and slowly take a bite. It’s good, really good, and still warm. I finish everything on the plate while Jett stands over me.

  Once satisfied, he covers the dish then lifts the platter off the table.

  “I’ll be back later to get you ready.” Ready? “Try to relax. You’ll need your strength for Kayne tonight.”

  I look up at him callously.

  “Retain that frame of mind, Ellie. Remember what I told you. Strong.”

  Then he leaves the room. I hear the lock click and my heart squeezes. I’m supposed to stay cooped up in here all day? I look around, taking in my jail cell. It’s a room people like me only dream about—opulent and luxurious, with silk window treatments and expensive furnishings. I stare out the window at the rolling green hills. I’m high in the air with no escape in sight and nothing but trees and grass for miles. I see the future I worked so hard for slipping away. I’m a slave. Kayne’s slave. Tears roll down my cheeks. But they aren’t tears of sadness, they’re tears of rage. I’ll figure a way out of this mess.

  I have to.

  Or I’ll die trying.

  HOURS UPON HOURS ALONE IS a tad bit maddening.

  I tried the television, but there was no cable. There was, however, a porno DVD. I shut it off immediately when I heard the moaning and saw a girl being fucked from behind. I tried some books on the shelves, but realized just as quickly it was all erotica. Titles like Bound by Passion and Temptation were all I could find. It’s like he wants me hopped-up on hormones at all times.

  My worst mistake was wandering into the adjoining circular room. I’m standing next to a table that reminds me of a torture device. The black cushions look unforgiving. The straps on the sides and on the stirrups are thick leather with silver buckles. They seem implacable. But the things that scare me the most are the whipping tools on the wall; a crop, a flogger, and a wooden paddle with a heart-shape cutout. I shiver with fear just looking at them.

  The drawers under the table are full of sex toys. I can’t begin to imagine what you do with some of these things. Vibrators of all different shapes and sizes. Small bullet looking things with chains on the end. Belts, handcuffs, and ball gags that remind me of muzzles. I shake just looking at them. When the door clicks, I jump, slamming the drawer shut. I walk quickly back into the bedroom as Jett appears. His aqua eyes are wide as he regards me.

  “Exploring?”

  I look down timidly. “I was bored.”

  “I see. Find anything that interests you?”

  “No.” I wrap my arms around my naked chest begrudgingly.

  “There’s an old saying. Don’t knock it until you try it.” Jett pulls my arms away from my body. “No hiding. Your body is beautiful, show it.”

  “I know an old saying too,” I retort. “Easier said than done.”

  Jett chuckles. “Smartass. Come on, kitten. Time to go back on your leash.”

  Jett motions to the bed. Then he retrieves the collar and chain from the bathroom. I sort of hoped it was its final resting place.

  Jett makes quick work of fastening the thick leather around my neck. The cold steel chain once again brushes between my breasts and dangles down to my knees.

  “Stay,” he says. Then walks over to the dresser and pulls out a pair of black see-through panties. I have déjà vu as he slides them on me. Underwear seems to be the only article of clothing I’m allowed to wear.

  “On the bed, kitten. Kayne will be here soon.” My heart rate quickens. I’m not
sure I’m ready for this. I climb onto the huge opulent bed covered with rich, plush throw pillows.

  “Remember what I told you. Behave. Listen to Kayne and you should be able to walk just fine tomorrow.” I pale as he fastens the chain to the elaborate iron and tufted headboard. “See you in the morning, sweet thing.”

  He closes the door with a light click.

  I’m alone again, chained to a bed like a scared puppy about to have her first obedience lesson with her new owner. What could this possibly entail? Nothing good, I conclude. I bring my legs up to my chest and curl into a ball, trying to cover up as much of myself as possible. I don’t know how long I sit and just stare at the door. The waiting is almost as maddening as the anticipation of what’s to come. Then the door clicks and my heart jumps into my throat. Kayne walks in to the room with an air of authority. His face is tight, his eyes are dark, and his presence is oppressive. I stare stoically as he approaches me like he’s stalking a wounded animal. I pull my legs tighter to my body.

  He’s wearing black suit pants and a blood red dress shirt. His collar is open and his shirt sleeves are rolled up to his elbows. I swallow thickly. He’s also holding something in his right hand.

  “Evening, kitten,” he says in an even tone. It’s almost chilling. “How was your day?”

  I don’t respond.

  Kayne narrows his eyes. “I asked how your day was, kitten. When I address you directly, you answer. Lesson one.”

  I stare him down with my defenses up.

  “Kitten?” he goads.

  “My name is Ellie.”

  “Your name is whatever I choose to call you. And right now, it’s kitten.” He grabs me by the collar and pulls me effortlessly across the silken sheets, drawing my face close to his. I pull at his hand as he nearly lifts me off the mattress. “We can do this my way or we can do it yours. I’ll be fine with either. The end result will be the same.”

  I struggle against his grip, my knees barely grazing the smooth fabric underneath me.

  With the collar choking me I spit out, “Boring. It was boring.”

  Kayne releases me, and I drop back down on all fours.

  “There. Was that so hard?”