by Dahlia Kent
“Captain Foster, you’re early.”
“I like to be punctual.”
He swept his gaze over me, a look of satisfaction on his face, but he said nothing.
“Would you like to come in?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I wished I hadn’t asked him to do that. When he stepped into the tiny apartment I shared with Stacy, I was suddenly aware of the clutter everywhere and the dirty dishes visible in the sink. He was so tall and clean and put together, he made everything else around him look tiny and chaotic in comparison. Unwilling to endure the embarrassment, I hurried back to my room and put on my shoes.
He eyed my purse as I returned. “Only your keys. Leave your phone.”
“OK,” I said, though I felt bare at the thought of leaving my phone behind.
He followed closely behind me as we left my apartment, his heat stretching to touch me. I was hyper aware of his presence as we made our way down the short stairs to the apartment building’s lobby.
“I parked across the street,” he said, then planted a hand on the small of my back as if we were lovers already accustomed to each other. Just this simple touch lit my body on fire. It was all I could think about and I was barely aware of us crossing the street to the silver shiny beauty that was his car.
“For some reason, I expected you’d pick me up in a cruiser,” I said, trying to force some lightness into the strange night.
“That would’ve drawn more attention than I think you’d want.”
I nodded. “Yeah, that’s true.”
Once we got in his car, he reached into the glove compartment and handed me a blindfold made of black velvet.
“Put this on when I tell you to do so.”
“Why?” This night kept getting weirder and weirder.
“The program’s facility is in a private location.” He must have seen the reluctance on my face because he added: “These are the rules and you must follow them. Unless you’d prefer I take you back to the precinct, and reopen the investigation of your involvement with the bank robbery?”
I shook my head quickly. “I’ll put on the blindfold when you tell me to, Captain Foster.”
He stared at me for a moment. “’Cole’ is fine.”
Cole started the car and pulled away from the curb. As we drove, it was so silent that I ached to turn on the radio. But not wanting to seem impolite, I twisted my fingers together and kept them in my hands.
“You didn’t look like a cop when I first met you,” I blurted out in the quiet.
Amusement laced his voice. “What does a cop look like?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Just… not like you. I thought you were a business man on the wrong side of town.”
“Because of the way I was dressed,” he said.
“Well, yeah. When you see a man in a tailored suit and an expensive looking watch, your first thought would be he’s a man at the helm of an empire or something.”
“My first thought would be he’s insecure and needy for societal recognition of his superiority, so he flaunts his wealth.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s insecure to want to show the world the benefits of your hard work.” I smiled. “And I think you’ve just insulted yourself, by the way, since the man in the suit in this scenario is you.”
“It isn’t an insult. It’s honesty.”
“I’ve never heard someone been so brutally honest about themselves, then.”
“That’s because you don’t ask for honesty.”
My smile vanished, my voice becoming defensive.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You aren’t in this mess because of the thief,” he said. “It’s your willingness to assume, and your refusal to listen to your intuition. I’m sure you had doubts about the man who used you as his getaway driver. Legitimate doubts you should have listened to and tried to clarify by asking him questions. You didn’t.”
I scowled, disliking his accusation. “That’s because he pretended to be a decent guy.”
“A pretence is only successful when it goes unchallenged,” he said. “You wanted him to be a decent guy. You avoided asking questions that would have revealed the truth. You ignored all warning signs contradicting that belief. You’re the worst kind of gullible.”
My hands curled into tight fists of anger in my lap.
“You don’t know anything about me,” I said coldly.
“I know you very well. Perhaps more than you know yourself.”
“I’m not gullible,” I said into the quiet that had fallen between us. “I just prefer to take what a person says at face value when there’s no reason for me to be suspicious.”
“Then you’re setting yourself up for disappointment when your trust is inevitably taken advantage of.”
“I trust you,” I said softly. “Part of me says I shouldn’t, but I trust you. Are you going to take advantage of me?”
He didn’t answer. He looked at me briefly before turning his gaze back to the road. His expression seemed to shift, but I couldn’t be sure since his features were hidden by the dark interior of the car.
“Put on the blindfold,” he said, his voice colder than before.
Hands shaking, I willingly blinded myself to everything. My vision temporarily gone, I had to rely on my other senses. The low, rhythmic hum of the car was clearer, and I felt the vibration of it under me. The soft material of the car seat pressed against my skin. I had this sense that Cole was looking at me. Though that was ridiculous since he was driving and had to keep his attention on the road.
Eventually, the car came to a stop. He ordered I stay put before he climbed out. A rush of cool night air greeted me as he opened my door. He reached for my hand and helped me out of the car, but I stumbled, my hands flailing to help me regain balance.
Cole wrapped his arms around me to steady me. Instead I felt even more unbalanced by his overwhelming presence and his strong arms enveloping me. He smelled so good that for a moment I was tempted to just stay there and inhale him.
“Let’s go,” he said. He released me from his embrace, but kept his hands around my waist as he led me forward.
“Can I take off the blindfold now?”
“Not yet.”
A short walk later, I heard a door open then shut. The noises from the city outside were silenced, so I assumed we were inside. Soon, we entered an elevator judging from the sensation of downward movement beneath my feet.
Another short walk, another door opening and closing shut. Then Cole’s hands were at my face, removing the blindfold.
I blinked and immediately looked around. My curiosity rapidly vanished as I became unsettled by my surroundings. We stood in a room made of dull grey stone and containing various… contraptions. Some made out of thick, sturdy wood, and some made out of a sleek black metal.
The devices all looked like archaic furniture covered in modern, black leather upholstery, with straps appended at different areas on them. On one wall was a large wall hanger. Hung on it was something that looked like a really short mop made entirely of leather, wooden paddles, handcuffs, and other things I couldn’t identify. Beside the wall hanger, looking completely out of place, was a paper towel dispenser.
“What is this place?” I asked, my voice unsteady.
“The program’s facility.” Cole said, though a more detailed answer would’ve been preferable.
Not all the walls were made of stone. On the right was a large, tinted, rectangular window. Despite all the unusual devices present, it was the window that disturbed me the most. If I squinted a little, I was sure I could see moving shapes.
“What’s past that window?”
“The viewing room. There are important members of the city who want to witness your punishment.”
Horrified, I retreated to the door. I’d heard and seen enough to know I wanted no part of this.
“I made a mistake. I want to leave.”
“You verbally consented to this yesterday,” C
ole said, approaching me, his lips curved in a smile that didn’t quite reach his dark brown eyes. “It was a contract you agreed to of your own volition, and one you can’t escape until you’ve met the demands.”
“Please, Cole. I want to leave,” I begged.
“No.”
A panicked sound escaped me as I spun and yanked on the heavy metal door. Of course, it was locked. It didn’t even rattle. Yet I continued to pull in desperation as if that alone could free me from the situation I’d found myself.
All along my gut had been right not to trust Cole. Ironically, he’d told me I shouldn’t, albeit in a roundabout way. He’d warned me to be afraid if I wanted to protect myself from him. He’d even warned me in the drive here. Instead, I’d believed he wouldn’t hurt me.
No. I’d wanted to believe he wouldn’t hurt me.
He was right. I was the worst kind of gullible. A stupid girl who’d made a deal with the devil to save herself, but would end up losing her soul as the price.
Cole came up behind me. Dark and powerful, he didn’t have to say anything to make me turn and face him.
“Please,” I begged him quietly. “Please…”
“You will do what’s required of you, Jenna,” he said, his mellifluous voice belying the monster he was hidden beneath such a handsome face. “Now take off your dress.”
Six
—
“Why?” Tears burned the backs of my eyes, but I fought not to shed them. “Why do I need to take it off?”
He loomed over me, crowding my personal space.
“Don’t question my orders. Never make me repeat myself.”
My heart beat hard in my chest, slamming against my ribs in a frantic manner as if it were a prisoner desperate for escape. Well, there was none. I’d made a mistake and to rectify it, I’d made an even graver one. I’d fallen into Cole Foster’s trap.
Trembling, I willed my hands to move to the straps of my dress, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t pull them down.
“I… I can’t.”
Mortification swept through me. Nobody had seen me naked since I was a child. Not even Stacy who liked to prance around our apartment in the buff now and then. The thought of willingly removing my clothes before Cole, before the faceless people hidden behind that window made my stomach twist with dread.
Cole wordlessly grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the door. Then he stepped behind me. My trembling only got worse as I anxiously waited for his next move. Finally, he put his hands on my shoulders and slid my dress straps down my arms.
His hands were warm on my skin. His touch sent traitorous tingles through me, and that simmering attraction I had for him sparked to life.
I’m not attracted to him!
I hated him. I hated him for tricking me. For lying to me. For pretending to help me when all along he just wanted to hurt me.
He pushed my dress down past my hips and it fell in a soft thud, pooling around my heels. I immediately wrapped my hands around myself to shield my body even though I still wore underwear.
“You’re a monster,” I whispered.
“Of course I am,” he said, stepping closer. He pressed his front to me. “You already knew that, Jenna.” His slid his hand down my arms, his thumbs grazing the sides of my breasts. A soft breath escaped me when his palms mapped a path down my waist before he gripped my hips. Then he pressed his mouth to my ear, his breath hot and damp, his deep voice making me shiver. “From the moment we first met, you knew I was a man you should stay far away from. I warned you, but you didn’t listen.”
Those words… they were so similar to what Stacy had said to me about Jackson.
Then Cole reached a hand up behind me and unhooked my bra. Startled, I lurched forward to get away, but he looped an arm around my waist, holding me in place.
“Be still,” he ordered in a steely voice.
“Why are you taking off my bra?”
“I’m going to take off your panties too.”
Amusement underlaid his voice and I wanted to turn and hit him. So I did it. I twisted in his hold and tried to slap him, but he was faster and stronger than me. He grabbed my hand, and then the other. I squirmed and tried to knee him in the groin, but he overpowered me effortlessly and shoved me up against the door.
“Let me go,” I spat, glaring at him. My breathing came faster, harsher. My fear was replaced by outrage. Anger at myself, anger at him, anger at the people behind that window who watched this happen and did nothing to stop it.
“You need to behave yourself.” His face was so close to mine, his breath ghosting over my lips when he spoke. He had my hands pinned to the door on either side of me, and he pressed his hips against mine to prevent me from kicking him. “Fighting only prolongs your punishment. I’m sure you’d rather get it over and done with, hm? Never delay what can be done today.”
And he had the gall to smile as if he wanted me to share in his amusement.
“Why are you doing this to me?” I asked in a beseeching tone, swallowing my anger so I could appeal to his humanity.
“I’m not doing this to you, Jenna,” he said. “I’m doing this for you. This isn’t just punishment. I’m teaching you a firsthand lesson about the consequences of bad choices and putting your faith in the wrong people. The only person you should ever trust in life is yourself.”
“But you don’t need to teach me that by… “ I squeezed my eyes shut and whispered the words, “… raping me. I get it now. You don’t—”
“I’m not going to rape you,” he said softly, his eyes half-lidded. “I am going to fuck you, but only when you’re willing and begging for my cock.”
Despite myself, warmth pooled between my legs at his words. I squeezed my thighs together, hoping to suppress the arousal I felt for this monster.
“Then you’re going to be disappointed because I don’t want you.”
In answer, he smiled and released my hands. When I dropped them to my sides, he reached up and tugged my unhooked bra off my body.
Shame burned my face and I tried to cover myself, but he grabbed my hands and pinned them to the door again. He looked down between us at my breasts before pinning me with a hungry gaze.
“You have amazing tits,” he growled. “I’m really going to enjoy hearing you moan when I suck them.”
I squirmed against him. Why was my body reacting this way even though I knew it was wrong? Why were my nipples tightening in anticipation of having his tongue on them? I shouldn’t want him, but I knew that when he removed my underwear like he’d promised, I would be in for another round of mortification.
It was too much to fight my body’s reaction to him, as well as struggle against him too. He was so much stronger than me. I stayed in place against the door when he released me and dropped his hands to my hips. He sank to his knees, pulling my panties down my thighs.
“Open your legs,” he commanded. I shifted, spreading my legs a little. He peeled my underwear away from me, the corners of his lips curving in satisfaction. “You say you don’t want me, but your pussy tells a different story, Jenna.”
“Go to hell,” I said in a wavering voice.
A shadow passed over his face, dimming his smile.
“No need. I’ve lived there for most of my life, sweetheart.”
I sneered at him. “That’s because you’re the devil.”
“Perhaps that’s true.”
The last barrier of clothing protecting me from Cole’s ravenous gaze was gone, discarded over his shoulder after his demand I stepped free of them.
Insecurity threatened to steal my air. This was my first time being naked in front of a man. The urge to hide myself was too strong to ignore. But when I tried to cover myself, Cole pushed my hands back to my sides so he had an unobstructed view of all of me.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” he murmured, sliding his hands up my thighs. Then he frowned as if he hadn’t expected to voice the thought aloud. His gaze met mine, and tiny triumph went through me that
at least, in this brief moment, I was the one in control. This powerful man was on his knees before me, worshipping me.
He stood, towering over me once more, robbing me of my triumph and restoring my fear.
“I’m a virgin,” I reminded him. “I wanted my first time to be with someone special.”
He smiled. “And that special someone will be me.”
Seven
—
I still didn’t cry.
There wasn’t any point to it.
I was here.
Nobody was going to save me from what was about to happen.
Truth be told, some dark part of me wanted Cole to keep touching me.
To do the things he’d promised.
That’s a lie. I don’t want it.
But was that the lie?
He guided me to one of the strange benches. It was almost as high as my knees and in the shape of a large V. The legs of the V looked like long, cushioned armrests, while the base of the V was thicker with an upraised cushioned section. Two shorter arm rests were situated on either side of the elevated section, and unfastened straps dangled off of all four arm rests.
“Put your knees on either side,” Cole instructed, pointing at the longer armrests. Then he indicated the higher, broader section. “Lie forward on top of this part.”
“What is this?” I asked, then I froze when I remembered his earlier command that I never question his orders.
“A spanking bench.”
I took a step back. “You’re going to spank me?”
“Yes.” He pointed at the bench. “Kneel. Now.”
I followed his orders even though a voice inside me shouted to fight this. Placing my knees on the cushions, I had to spread my legs in an extremely vulgar manner. If I’d thought I was exposed when I was naked, nothing compared to being bent over and feeling the open air between my legs.
Shame scorched my cheeks and ears as Cole secured my legs to the rests with the straps. He could see everything. I was sure of it. I was open and vulnerable to him like never before. At least we were parallel to the window so the bastards who were watching this show unfold couldn’t see all of me too.