Indulgence

by Liz Crowe

  On the ninth floor, he led me to Kirk’s door and leaned against the wall while I unlocked it.

  “Don’t worry,” he said.

  I made the mistake of looking up in confusion, and he winked.

  “I’ll have you yet, Princess.”

  I jumped inside the apartment, slammed the door shut, and locked it as fast as I could.

  *****

  I sat on the couch, checking the time every few minutes while I waited for Kirk to get back. I turned on the TV trying to drown out my own brain, but after Gabe’s threat I didn’t dare step in the shower where I wouldn’t be able to hear if anyone came in.

  Gabe was upstairs with the rest of them, so I reasoned he wouldn’t be coming down to get me.

  But, reason doesn’t always win in a completely unreasonable situation.

  Around one in the morning, I heard the deadbolt snap, and I shot up from the couch, looking for something to grab.

  “Easy, Silver.” Kirk slid in and locked the door behind him. “I thought you’d be asleep.”

  “Oh, sure after today, I’m going to sleep like a baby. Besides, I thought I’d have to let you in.”

  “I told you to go to bed. I picked up a spare key from security. You haven’t even showered.”

  I looked down at my clothes. It was lucky only he knew that I hadn’t listened.

  “Did Gabe do anything?”

  I shook my head. “Do, no. He said he’d have me though.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t worry,” I mocked Gabe’s voice, “I’ll have you yet, Princess.”

  “Princess?”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Time for a shower.” Kirk wrapped an arm around my back and lifted me off the floor. He winced with the motion but didn’t let me go until we reached the shower.

  “You going to wash my hair?” I teased as we stripped, waiting for the water to warm.

  “Don’t press your luck,” he said, picking me up again and dropping me in the still cool stream.

  I squealed and moved to the back of the tub. “If you didn’t look like an invalid….”

  “You’re really asking for it tonight, aren’t you?” He stepped in the front of the shower and I charted the injuries, the largest bruise was on his left side, paired with a smaller one near the bottom of his ribs on the right. There was another just above his left hip, the outside of his right thigh.

  I was afraid he’d turn around and I’d see even more.

  “I’m still walking and breathing, Silver. I haven’t left you to the wolves yet.”

  I leaned against the wall, sleep threatening to claim me right there in the shower. Apparently now that he was back, my body no longer felt the need to stay on high alert. Kirk pulled me against him and lathered up my back.

  “Why do you care what happens to me?” I whispered into his chest.

  He didn’t stop his movements, and I wondered if he even heard me. I pulled away, even though my body felt weary and no longer willing to stand under its own volition.

  “Why?” I asked again. “Why did you save me? Why do you hold me when I’m freaking out or hurting? Why do you let me get away with running my mouth to you?”

  “Because I want you.”

  “As a slave.”

  “Yes,” he pressed me into the wall but didn’t take his motions any further. “As my slave. The other girls aren’t like you, Silver. If they fight, it’s for a very different reason. You’re alive—every bit of you. You fight for that. You’re a torrid of emotions.” He kissed me, pulling the rest of the energy out of my exhausted body. “I want to keep you that way, but that kind of attitude is dangerous here.”

  He rubbed the soap between his hands then caressed it over my breasts and ass. “And, I like having you as a distraction too much.”

  “I want that good day you promised me. I need a distraction, too.”

  “Right now, you need sleep.”

  I shook my head and covered my eyes as the tears came up from nowhere. “I didn’t—I was terrified he’d make me keep going. Hell, I’m terrified of what you do to me. Everyone else instills a level far beyond terror.”

  He pulled my hands down and twisted them behind my back. “Do what I say and you have no reason to be afraid of me.”

  “You even control me in my dreams now. You and your damn snake.”

  I wasn’t even sure I was making sense anymore, so I kept my mouth closed. Leaning against the back of the stall and watching while Kirk scrubbed his own skin then turned off the water.

  “Come on, Sugar.”

  I stepped out of the tub and wrapped a towel around my body, drying off as quickly as possible so I could crawl into bed and pass out.

  Unceremoniously, Kirk and I both climbed into bed, and I pulled the covers up to my neck. Every day I ended up more confused, and I needed a reprieve. Not that I was any more likely to get that in my sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Snake and the Schemer

  I managed a dreamless night—or at least I didn’t remember any fucked up delusions the next morning. Kirk and I were both quiet during breakfast. I figured he had work to take care of, and for once, I was thankful for it. After the past twenty-four hours, I wasn’t sure what I’d do if given the opportunity with him alone.

  I stayed in the kitchen, trying to at least stay on his good side by doing the dishes and cleaning up, but it didn’t take long to run out of things to do that wouldn’t involve being in the same room.

  He glanced up at me when I entered the living room, but continued working, his attention divided between his phone and computer.

  “You ever decide what books you wanted?” he asked.

  I pulled the notebook he’d given me from the home I’d given it under the couch and tore out the first sheet of paper. I put it on top of the e-reader.

  “There are more than three books here.”

  “You said I could earn more,” I said, leaning over the back of the couch. “Is everything okay?”

  Kirk nodded, “I just thought you wanted some space, so I’ve been giving it to you.”

  “Do you really have to read me so easily?”

  “Makes life easier,” he said, hooking the e-reader to his computer. “Am I going in order?”

  “Sure.”

  “I do have to go upstairs for a while.”

  I bit the inside of my cheek, I didn’t want him to leave me alone or take him with me.

  “You’ll be fine” he handed back the e-reader. “You have two books; I’ll do a couple more tonight.”

  He patted my cheek as he stood and I jerked away.

  “What’s that about?” He twisted his fingers in my hair and pulled me to his face. “Sugar, you will be fine. No one is going to come in here to get you.”

  “You didn’t see the look on Gabe’s face last night.”

  “I already made sure that Gabe isn’t even on site today. I’ll be right upstairs, five minutes away, and I’ll be back soon.” He kissed me, and I parted my lips, giving him what—as far as anyone here was concerned—was his. “It’s going to be a good day. I promised you that, and I’ll give it to you, but I have to take care of things first.”

  “You’re the boss.”

  Kirk scoffed. “Be ready to leave for lunch when I get back.”

  “Leave?” My heart pounded. “Where exactly are you taking me?”

  “You’ll see. Be ready in an hour. The clothes I want you to wear are in the top drawer.”

  As soon as the deadbolt clicked, I ran into the bedroom to see what clothes he’d left, hoping it’d give me some clue to what he was planning. The only thing in the top drawer was a cropped tank top and a pair of jean shorts.

  The last time I’d stepped out of this room wearing regular clothes, the day had gone to hell fairly quickly.

  *****

  The door opened, and I dropped the e-reader into the couch to look at the clock.

  “You don’t look ready,” Kirk said.

&n
bsp; “Um, you’re fifteen minutes early,” I said, but I wasn’t entirely convinced of the argument myself. I held up the e-reader and waved it. “I was enjoying not being here for a while.”

  “Stop making excuses and get dressed.” He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, but what really caught my attention was his smile. I didn’t recognize it. It wasn’t the one he wore when he was being conniving to make me miserable or reassuring me even though he was worried. It was light and reflected a spark of mischief.

  I was torn between running for my sanity and embracing it.

  I slid the e-reader under the couch and sprinted into the bedroom, pulling on the clothes that he’d left in the drawer for me. Then, I met him at the front door.

  “Swear you’re on your best behavior.” He said, putting his arm over my shoulders.

  “Yes, Master.”

  As we stepped off the elevator on the ground floor, I could see freedom right through the front door—only 100 yards away, but before I could take a second step a young boy tackled Kirk’s leg.

  Kids? I couldn’t imagine why on earth kids would be in this place.

  An older girl followed behind and took the boy’s hand. Kirk went down on one knee and ruffled her hair.

  “Who is she?” the girl pointed to me.

  “Silver.”

  A woman shouted from across the room. “Greg. Mindy.”

  Both kids jumped and retreated to a bench near the wall. The way the woman scowled, I guessed that she wasn’t particularly happy with the kids talking to us. Either that or she wasn’t happy to be here. Ross stepped from around the corner and glanced in our direction. I dropped my eyes to the floor, watching everyone from the edge of my vision.

  Ross and the woman turned their attention to each other.

  “Ross’s family,” Kirk whispered. My eyes widened as I jerked back to look him in the face to confirm he wasn’t kidding. I forced my mouth to stay closed.

  Across the room, Ross silently summoned Kirk.

  “Do. Not. Move.”

  I took a deep breath and pressed my back to the wall. “Yes, Master.”

  I stared out the window but noticed the woman approaching in my periphery. I glanced passed her, but neither Ross nor Kirk were paying attention, so I assumed she was just tending to the children. She whispered something to them and pointed to Ross, then continued in my direction.

  The kids scampered off to stand with their father—I still couldn’t believe that Ross could serve in such a role.

  I couldn’t imagine what she’d have to say to me. Maybe she didn’t know who… what I was. Maybe—

  She stopped in front of me, without saying a word. Her mouth pressed in a line then she swung, hitting my cheek with the back of her hand.

  I stumbled, sliding against the wall as Kirk and Ross ran toward us.

  I wiped the blood from my lip while Ross’ wife walked away as calmly as she’d approached. Ross intercepted her and they exchanged a few heated whispers before she stormed out with the kids.

  “What was that for?” I whispered to Kirk as he examined my face.

  “Wrong place, wrong time.”

  “Story of my life lately.” I knew I should have stayed in the apartment.

  Ross handed Kirk a handkerchief, his gaze raking over me. Then, without a word, he walked around us and boarded the elevator.

  Once Kirk had dabbed away the visible blood, he led me into a back room, stopping at an industrial sized kitchen sink to wet the handkerchief. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded, even though the tinge of blood still polluted my mouth. “Maybe you should put me back in lock down.”

  “Emilyn gets pissy at least a few times a month. She wants him to get out of the business—mostly to get rid of the slaves. They’ve threatened divorce half a dozen times in the last year.” Kirk tilted his head and snorted. “Like I said, you’re trouble for the both of us. Need some ice?”

  I shook my head. “She didn’t hit that hard—just enough to startle me. I think I bit my lip.”

  Once he was satisfied that the bleeding had stopped and nothing was swelling too much, he took my hand and led me into a walk-in refrigerator, handing me a bottle of water then strapping a cooler over his shoulder.

  In another nearby storage room, he picked up a blanket and handed it to me.

  My eyes widened, “You’re taking me on a picnic?”

  He nodded.

  “Outside,” I breathed. All of the nerves in my body tingled at the thought of being outside. The grass, the sun. All I wanted was outside of these walls. It would be close enough to freedom for now.

  “You run—”

  I shook my head. “No running. I got the message.”

  As soon as we got outside, I wanted to drop the blanket and bask in the sun. Two steps was all it took, and I didn’t care whether we went farther or not. My body felt lighter than it had in weeks, and the air smelled sweet, carrying the scent of spring flowers.

  A long drive wound down the hill next to us, with a large gated fence at the end. But Kirk led me in the opposite direction of the drive, toward a large area of grass dotted with trees.

  “To the outside world we’re a large and very exclusive retreat. It hasn’t been a difficult image to maintain since we screen anyone that we let in. They all know to keep their mouths shut. If they might be a danger to our cover, they don’t get out.”

  I looked around. The grounds were beautifully maintained, but I didn't see a single other person around. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because I figured if I entertain your incessant curiosity with information, you might manage to keep your mouth shut and keep yourself out of trouble.”

  “I find trouble even when I don’t say a word. I feel bad for Ross’ wife.”

  Kirk made a sour face. “Don’t. She knew what he was when they got together. She saw money and power.”

  I wondered what Kirk saw, why he got into all of this when he seemed so different from the others, but I didn’t think that’d be a great question to lead with.

  “Do you want a family?”

  “No,” he answered quicker and with more certainty than I had anticipated. “I never considered sharing my life with anyone, definitely not kids.”

  We stopped in a slightly wooded area overlooking a small lake and I spread the blanket out while he opened the cooler, pulling out wine, potato salad, coleslaw, and chicken club wraps.

  Kirk entertained my questions while we ate, even though his attention seemed to be directed at watching the area around us.

  “Thank you,” I said, unsure if it was the wine talking or the comforting feeling of the sun. I stretched out on my stomach across the blanket and let the sun warm my back. Kirk stretched out next to me, resting on his side.

  “I’m not completely heartless and unreasonable.”

  I smiled then rolled to my back. I leaned up and kissed his lips.

  His eyes widened and he jerked back slightly. “You don’t have—”

  “I know, but every time you try to protect me, I make things harder.”

  “I manage.”

  “I know, but—I just—Can you make me forget where we are? Just for a little while?”

  He looked like he was going to argue, but he pressed his lips to mine, and slid one hand up under my shirt. His fingers left tingling coolness in their wake as they traveled up to caress the underside of my breast.

  “What are you up to, Silver?”

  “We discussed this already. Then we got interrupted and the day went to shit. Can we just skip all of that today?”

  His thumb traced the outside of my nipple and I felt it stiffen. Seeing his muscle, watching him use it and being the victim of its use, it seemed contradictory that he could touch me with such delicacy.

  He was probably quite experienced in getting women right where he wanted them with as few steps as necessary. I arched toward his touch, and his soft caresses turned into pinches and rougher massaging motions. He pulle
d my leg up and slid his finger up the leg of my shorts and into my underwear while he kissed down my jawline and nipped at my earlobe.

  “Unbutton your shorts,” he whispered directly into my ear, “take them off.”

  I did, lifting my hips to slide them down and then, kicking them off. He flipped me over to straddle his hips, and lifted my shirt over my head, before taking my breasts into his hands and capturing each of my nipples between two fingers.

  My hips rocked, rubbing against his. I nearly fell forward when he released my breasts, and trailed his fingers down my sides. He sat up, and I slid against his hips, into his lap. He took his shirt off and threw it on the blanket behind me, pulling my bare chest against his as he explored my neck and chest with his mouth—and intermittently his teeth. I felt his erection growing under me with each subtle movement I made.

  I dragged my fingers through his short hair then pulled back, tracing my fingers over the curves of the tattoo from his shoulder down to his elbow.

  “You really like snakes.”

  “You want to talk about tattoos right now?” He bit my lip, and then laid me back on the blanket, to unzip his pants and free his erect cock.

  I shook my head, lifting my hips to meet him as he slid inside me. As much as I wanted to forget where I was, and why I was doing this, it continued echoing in my head. I wanted to know if this was what it was usually like. And I wanted to gut myself for not only giving in, but inciting him.

  But I also wanted to enjoy the moment, the electrifying sensation as he filled me, and stimulated the nerves inside of me. The most intimate of acts, with someone who didn’t even know my real name.

  Kirk paused. “You’re pulling away.”

  “Please, no lectures about how I need to—”

  “No,” he kissed my nose then traced my jawline.

  “Sometimes you can border on sweet.”

  “Don’t,” he closed his pained eyes. “Don’t expect sweet.”

  “But I can enjoy it now?”

  He brushed his lips across mine, down my neck to my collarbone. “It is your fantasy today. Happy birthday.”