Unbearable

by Alaska Angelini

  Jaime’s head lowered, his jaw tightening as he stared at the floor. “I knew she was bad off. I could feel it. See it in her eyes when I picked her up. I guess I haven’t gotten over it. That’s kind of why I’m here.”

  “Yeah, well, she’s been through a lot. She is getting better, though. She admitted to not wanting to die after she’d taken them. Even made herself sick. It wasn’t fast enough for the effects to take hold, though. She passed out anyway.”

  His head shook while he continued to stare downward. “Can I see her?”

  My hand paused mid-stir, my stomach tightening as possessiveness ricocheted, locking up my limbs. “She’s not well enough for visitors.”

  Only then did Jaime’s eyes rise to mine. “Not well enough to see me?”

  Fuck. To deny him only spoke of how attached I’d become to her. It wasn’t like I’d hide her from men in general, but I sure as hell didn’t want him traipsing down to the basement to see her nude. Her body was mine. Every single inch of it.

  “Finish cooking this. I’ll get her.”

  He nodded as I handed over the spoon and stalked to the basement door.

  “Wait. You have her in there? Are you serious?”

  Jaime’s voice had my lids closing and anger flaring. I spun around, slowing, and narrowing my eyes as I took in his shocked expression.

  “I do. Do you have a problem with that? I do believe I’m the Master here, and happen to know what’s best for my slave.”

  The lowering of his stare wasn’t done easily. I could tell by the way he shifted his feet as he turned back to the stove. Shit, I really didn’t want to have to worry about this now. I turned, flinging the door open and shutting it behind me. Diane’s head lifted from the headboard as she watched me near.

  “You’re going to eat in the kitchen. Do you think you can be good or do I need to leave you down here and feed you myself?”

  Her lips parted and her eyes jerked to the stairs. “I can be good.”

  “You have a visitor. Jaime is here to spend some time with you. If, at any time, you misbehave, do not think I won’t put you over my knee and spank your ass right in front of him. Do you understand? He works for me. He will not help you.”

  “I’ll behave.”

  All I could do was nod as I went over and grabbed the long, blue dress I’d brought in for her earlier. The intention had been to cut it from her body tonight. Might as well get it on her now, maybe I’d do it even sooner.

  “You’re going to put this on, walk up the stairs like a good slave, and take your seat on the floor next to the head of the table where I sit. Is that understood?”

  Repulsion was so thick on her face and she didn’t try to hide it. “The floor?”

  “Do I need to collar you and make you do it myself? I said, the floor. That’s final.”

  I reached forward, unbuckling the cuffs. Slowly, she got dressed, pulling the sundress over her head and working it down. She was still hurting. It was clear by the way she grimaced with each shift of her bottom. My cock hardened and the urge to fuck her before I took her upstairs was all too real. I wanted to claim her. To have my cum deep inside of her pussy and running down her legs while she walked past Jaime and kneeled at my feet. It wasn’t like she could get pregnant. Her medical records said she was on the shot. And I couldn’t have any more kids, I made sure of that shortly after I lost my family.

  “Let’s go. You first.”

  I forced the need away, but not entirely. I would have her, and soon.

  “Master?” Diane paused, but didn’t turn around. The slight sway had me stepping in closer. There was no doubt in my mind that traces of the pill were still in her system.

  “Keep walking and tell me.” I stayed alert while she lifted her foot up to the first step.

  “I’m not feeling too well. Do I have to go?”

  Was she seriously asking my permission without attitude in her voice? And she’d seemed almost eager to go at first. She had to be telling the truth. Sympathy surged, my good side edging in the smallest amount. It wouldn’t do.

  “Yes, you have to go. You’re sick because you need to eat. The pills are settling on an empty stomach. I’m surprised you aren’t worse off than you are. Now, get moving.” My hand pushed into her lower back, more bracing her than trying to speed her along. But she didn’t know that.

  Each step appeared to become easier and at the door opening, Diane let out a sigh, stopping just through the threshold. After the hesitation, she walked forward, slowly. Jaime let out a quiet laugh as he leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked every bit the charming bachelor and it had me pausing in closing the door behind me.

  “Someone looks tired. How are you feeling, slave?”

  My teeth grinded together at the term. Even though I knew he was following my rules, hearing him address her that way left me impatient to move to her side.

  “I am tired,” she said quietly.

  “Master told me about your slip. Do you want to talk about it?” He pushed to stand straight and began walking at her side as they headed into the nook where the small table rested. Diane paused, turning to look at me. At my point toward the right end, she sunk to her knees, looking down.

  “I’d rather not, Jaime.”

  I saw his mouth twist as he took a seat at the opposite end. The steaming bowl of soup rested in my place and I took a seat, watching his every move. Longing in his eyes had my own widening. Was I missing something here? Was Jaime craving a slave of his own? A personal one? Or was he checking out mine?

  “You know, I was where you were once. I might be able to help. If you’d allow me?”

  I picked up the spoon, clamping my mouth shut. She didn’t need his help. She had me. Still, I knew when not to speak. Stating that out loud would only alert him to how far gone I was. Jealousy wasn’t something I wanted to show if I could help it.

  “You wanted to kill yourself?” Diane’s head lifted while I blew the spoonful of soup.

  “I did. Almost did, too. It was a very dark time in my life. Nothing like what you’ve gone through, but to me, it was very bad.” His arms came to rest on the table. “I’ve always felt lost, like I didn’t belong here. When I lost my mom and my scholarship, I didn’t think there was anything left for me. I bought a gun. Was damn close to using it.”

  Diane shifted on her knees, her full attention on my best friend. My first slave.

  “What happened?” Her voice was rich with emotion. Jaime’s stare lifted to me and I waited to see how this was going to play out. I wasn’t ready for Diane to know; didn’t want her comfortable around me just yet.

  His face turned back to her and he smiled. “A blessing appeared in the most terrifying way imaginable. It’s quite the tale and maybe someday I’ll tell you, but to make a long story short, I went from having nothing, to a purpose in life. I found a way to get back into school, landed an amazing job, and immersed myself into finding ways to give back to people who need help.

  Diane tilted her head and her eyebrows drew in. “But you brought me here to kill myself. Do you know what I’ve been through?” Anger had her voice rising. “You left me here. Lied to me.”

  “Slave.” My tone lowered, the threat present. “Turn and eat before you get sick.”

  “Don’t you see? I’m on the floor, being fed. Jaime, how is this helping?”

  I dropped the spoon in the bowl. The loud clinking had her straightening, but she didn’t stop.

  “Surely this isn’t the help you’re referring to. It can’t be. I refuse to believe that—”

  The chair scraped loudly against the floor as I pushed out and flung her fighting body over my lap. My forearm wedged into the middle of her back and I threw up her dress, rearing back and connecting with her bare ass. The squeal barely escaped from the pressure I used to hold her down.

  “Count and thank me.”

  I spanked her again, not giving her time before her yell was replaced with a breathless, “Tw
o. Thank you, Master.”

  Eight more firm spankings and she was sobbing while I pushed her back into the kneeling position. Damn if that woman wasn’t stubborn. She was going to learn if it was the last thing I accomplished.

  “Now, sit there and keep quiet while I feed you. Another peep and you’ll get ten more.”

  Jaime’s mouth closed while I watched him gain his composure. Surprise, shock, but most of all, lust, shadowed his face while he ripped his gaze up from her to look back at me.

  “Tell me about White Corp.” I leaned down, spinning Diane to face me. My hand went back to the spoon and I lowered her a bite. The hesitation was there, but she moved forward, her lips separating too drink in the broth. It took everything I hand not to trace my thumb over the fullness.

  The silence had me turning back to Jaime, who seemed just as enamored as I had been.

  “White Corp,” I snapped.

  “Right.” He licked his lips, his stare returning to her for only the briefest moment before he seemed to catch himself.

  “Bought them out this morning. It was another reason I wanted to come over. I thought you’d want to hear in person. I think a celebration is in order. Didn’t think it was going to happen.”

  A smile pulled at my lips while I lowered the spoon again. “You did well. It wouldn’t have happened if you wouldn’t have been pushing like you’ve been. Great job. We’ll set something up here soon. Maybe dinner tomorrow night.”

  Again, his attention went to Diane. The happiness faded, tainted by my possessiveness over her.

  “I think dinner would be great.”

  I nodded. “I’ll set it up. Maybe my slave can attend if she decides to be good. If not, she’ll have to miss joining us.”

  Diane’s head lifted, but she didn’t look at my face. Her red, swollen eyes stared at my chest, anger shadowing her features as she took another bite. I kept a close watch on her as Jaime and I went over the details of the morning. Whatever she was thinking, it was consuming her. As if a curtain was lowered, her emotions disappeared. I placed the spoon in the nearly empty bowl and continued my conversation while she remained in her safety bubble.

  “I guess I should get going.” Jaime pushed back and stood, only to lower down next to the woman who resembled a statue at my feet. Only her breathing deepened as he leaned in closer to her and whispered something in her ear. The flutter of thick lashes slowed and she turned toward him, her face only inches away as they looked at each other. “Take care, slave.”

  He stood, throwing me a grin as he nodded and headed toward the door. Words were gone. The only thing I could process was a single question. What the fuck had he said?

  Beeping and the locks settling into place pulled me from my thoughts. I grabbed her bicep, hauling her to stand. Her feet were stumbling as I led her back to the basement. The trip down went a hell of a lot faster than the climb up. As we passed the tray with all my blades, I brought my arm up around her neck, pulling her back into my chest. The grip tightened as her hand flew up to my arm.

  “You were a very bad girl,” I said next to her ear. “What did I tell you before we went up? Yet, you still defied me?” My fingers connected with a knife from the tray. The metal handle was cold to the touch and I felt my pulse jump. Diane immediately began to thrash against me. It only caused my hold to grow even more secure. Her feet searched for footing as I dragged her deeper into the room, spinning and pushing her to stand against the flat metal post at the foot of the bed. Bad. Yes, she’d broken the rules, but what I was about to do was so much more than that. She’d chose life ultimately, but now it was up to me to wipe death from her for good. To scare her past the point of no return. And I couldn’t wait. “You move, I’ll carve my name across your back.” I had the silk ties in my hand before she could decide what to do. Whether it was from fear, or lack thereof, I wasn’t sure. But I was about to find out.

  Chapter 15

  Diane

  Did I run? Stay? I knew I was trapped, but damn if I didn’t want to attempt to try. The only reason I was still standing by the bed was the curiosity to see if I was wrong about his good side. After Jaime’s story, I couldn’t help but think that Master had something to do with him changing his mind about suicide. It had to be because of him. It was too coincidental that we’d both be linked to this man by pure chance. Sure, he worked for him, but Jaime had delivered me here. Knew all about the set up. Maybe he had an appreciation for being where I’d been and believed in a person’s right to choose. Or maybe Master wasn’t killing or letting people die, after all. Could that be it?

  Black silk ties swayed at his graceful movement. For a man ready to inflict pain, there was such powerful elegance in his strides. It was almost enough to make the fear dissipate. Almost. I didn’t like the knife he held. I’d yet to adjust to the first branding, I couldn’t have him repeating the process.

  “Hands above your head.”

  The order was full of authority. Although my body obeyed, my brain revolted. “You do not have permission to cut me again.”

  Master’s eyebrow rose, but his advance didn’t falter. Silk weaved around my wrists as he leaned into my body, fastening me to the intricate lines of twisted metal. The hint of his cologne had my lids lowering the slightest amount. The good. I didn’t think as I eased forward, brushing my lips against his rough cheek. He pulled back, the composed façade falling as his eyes searched mine.

  “Do I get the kiss now?” Fuck if my voice didn’t sound husky. Deep and seductive with my invitation. Would it work on him? I’d broken through a little. It was worth a try.

  Pressure tightened on my wrists as he jerked the ties even tighter. “I told you no. You don’t listen very well. And, for your information, if I want to cut you again, I will. You ordering me not to isn’t going to benefit you one bit. You’re going to learn that I make the rules here. You follow them and bear through whatever it is I have planned for you. If you don’t, you may never leave.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to let me anyway.”

  If I could have taken it back, I would have. With the escape of my declaration came an unleashing of the monster I’d come to know. The blue of his eyes darkened while his hand latched around my throat, pushing me into the flat post behind me.

  “Do you want to stay here, slave? Be my cut-up, scarred, little whore for the rest of your days? Is that what this is about? Can you take the beatings I hold back from putting you through? I don’t think so. I’d kill you, eventually, and I’d do it with more pleasure than you’d know.” His lips curled back as he gripped tighter, moving in closer so his eyes were level with mine. “Kiss you, you say. You want my kiss? So be it.” The hand on my throat pulled me forward and his lips brutally crushed into mine, grinding the insides against my teeth. Blood refreshed from my previous wound nearly making me gag from the metallic flavor. My arms jerked wildly at the ties as my legs tried to run with nowhere to go. Air came in an explosion to my lungs as his hand traveled to clutch under my chin.

  “Mmm.” The tip of his tongue swept over the cut while he sucked my bottom lip into his mouth, causing pain to flare into what felt like a million stinging needles piercing my skin. “So sweet. So fucking good, slave.” His fingers pushed into my cheek until I was crying out from the force.

  “You want me to kiss you again?”

  The need to spit in his face was there. I wanted to with everything I had. That, or bring my knee up between his legs. Had I been wrong about the good? My mind wouldn’t let me believe that. It had to be there, the only question was, why did I care to find it?

  “Answer,” he growled.

  My head was pushed back into the metal and I whimpered as his mouth pressed back into mine. I waited for the pain, for him to do something that would cause more tears, but the back of my mind was anxious to see if he’d suddenly turn gentle. He didn’t give it to me. Pressure from his teeth bit into my top lip, pulling out with just enough strength to make my feet shift. Fuck, it hurt…so good.
How was I even enjoying any of this? Even just a little? It reaffirmed just how unstable I was in my mind.

  “I’m going to mark you up so good. You just wait. Now, fucking answer.”

  He let go, his touch sliding more toward my lips, making them pucker just a fraction while he stared.

  “I’m not saying anything until you kiss me right.”

  The cold from the blade flattened over my collarbone and my pulse jumped, the air hitching in my lungs. At a leisurely pace, he moved toward my shoulder, drawing it out, and with it, my heart rate. The dull end caught on my skin, scraping along the surface, until he slipped under the strap of my dress. My body tugged the smallest amount as it gave way.

  “Oh, slave. You don’t know what you do to me.” Scratching from the tip made a path over my chest, barely existent with the lack of pressure, but felt intensified from the alarm of him possibly breaking the skin. My fingers twitched as I took in his words. I wasn’t sure if this was the good leaking through or if it was still his dark side.

  The back of the strap pulled against me as he leveled the blade under the remaining one and pulled it toward him, away from my chest. My mouth rambled while I fought the uneasiness. “Tell me. What do I do to you?”

  Up and down, he caressed the fabric with the knife, never slicing, only teasing as if he would.

  “You didn’t ask properly, therefore you don’t get an answer.” With a tug, the cloth broke free, catching on my tight nipples as the dress began to drop. Despite the fact that he could cut my skin at any moment, the animalistic lust on his face kept my body humming to see what he’d do next. I wanted him, regardless of whether I should or not.

  “Will you please tell me, Master?” I lowered my voice, dropping my tone to show him just how much. “I’m dying to know. Please.”

  “Dying…” His eyes rose to mine. “You should feel right at home then.” Master jerked the dress down, exposing my breasts and gripping one with just the right amount of pressure. As he brought the knife over the swell and down toward the hard nub begging for attention, wetness settled between my thighs.