by Wendi Zwaduk
“No.” He threaded his arms around her. She smelled just as good as she had at the club and felt as soft and sweet as he believed. Yes, he longed to sink his fangs into her, but not to drain her. He wanted to claim her as his own.
“I belong to you. I’m bound by the purchase contract to stay with you until you decide to get rid of me. I should be afraid of you, but I’m not. Not because you’re part Fae, but because I don’t get that bone-deep fear when I look into your eyes. When I looked into his, I saw nothing. Just blankness.” She shuddered. “What do you wish of me?”
“Are you a genie?” He smiled. “Or are you just human?” He knew the answer. He’d smelled the changes in her as if she had magic.
“Only human.” She straddled him. “What do you want me to do? You’re one of the wicked. Am I supposed to serve you?”
“I can be wicked, but I’m not considered one of them. I want you to get comfortable and relax,” he said. “You’re safe. Get your legs under you, and we’ll move on from there.”
“Do you want me?” Hunger burned in her eyes.
He brushed her hair behind her ear. “I want you, but I need you to trust me. I will not play with anyone who doesn’t.”
She balled her hands on her lap. “Okay.”
He tipped her chin, forcing her to look at him. “You’ve just been freed. I can’t imagine you’d want to play. We haven’t discussed boundaries or anything else.” He rubbed her chin. “What are you thinking?”
She shrugged, but the hunger intensified in her eyes. “I’ve never been wanted by someone like you.”
“Fae?”
“Hot.”
Chapter Three
Raine scooted off his lap. She hadn’t meant to say he was hot out loud. He was handsome and powerful. But she was his object. No matter how much she wanted him to crave her, she was still a thing to him.
“Let me get you something to wear.” He left the bed and opened the closet. She spied the row of sport jackets, dress shirts and pressed trousers.
“You have fancy tastes.” She wanted to touch all the beautiful fabrics, but didn’t for fear she’d mess them up.
“I like beautiful things, yes.” He offered her a T-shirt and pair of boxer shorts. “These are clean. I wore the shirt once and accidentally shrank it in the laundry. It should fit nicely. I never wore the boxers, but they’re washed and clean.”
“Thanks.” She donned the garments. The clothes did fit well and had the scent of his home all over them. The aroma reminded her of him and the comfort she felt in his arms.
“Beautiful.” He curled his fingers under her chin. “I’ll make sure you have nice clothes.”
“Thank you.” At least she finally had something clean to wear.
“Explore the house. It’s your home now, too,” he said. “I need to sleep.”
“How do you know it’s night? It’s always dark.” She wanted to look out a window, but the bedroom featured none.
“My internal rhythm.” He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip, sending shivers down her spine. “I’ll be awake in six hours,” he said. “Then we’ll talk.”
“Will anyone come calling for you? Should I be on the lookout for anyone?” she asked.
“If we get callers, they’re only seeking money. Ignore them.” He kissed her cheek. “Good evening.”
“Thank you.” She waited until he disappeared into the bedroom. “Explore the house,” she muttered and inched into the hallway. “Sure.”
She padded through the palatial home. He hadn’t been kidding about everything being so fancy. The rich mahogany furniture, thick carpets and dark colors screamed wealth. Everything reminded her of the homes she’d seen in magazines before the darkness.
She ran her fingers over the wood-accented sofa. She’d only ever seen furniture like it in the movies. She stretched out on the plush cushions and stared at the ceiling. Even the ceiling was nice, decorated with swirls and clouds painted into it. She sat up. Was she supposed to be on the furniture?
A little man strode up her, and she gasped. Casey hadn’t said anything about someone else being there. “Who are you?” She stared at him. “Are you an elf?” He couldn’t be much taller than hip high on her.
“A gnome,” he said and bowed. “Jerome.”
“As in Jerome, the gnome?” she blurted.
“Yes, Miss. I’m Sir’s butler.” Jerome stood as tall as possible. “If you wish for anything, do let me know.”
“Do you really take care of him?”
“I do. For the last forty years.” Jerome adjusted his lapels. “Sir never said he’d purchased a girl. Are you my help?”
“I’m to enjoy myself, or so he said.” She expected Jerome to mention she’d be a slave after all and she was really a possession.
“You strike me as more of a secretary than servant.” Jerome crinkled his nose and his moustache wiggled. “His last girl left quickly. I suspect he drained her when she got out of line. He will drain you if you don’t stay in line.”
“I’m sure.” She wanted to look calm, but damn. She worried about her safety.
“He did give you an odd uniform. No matter,” Jerome said. “The guest room needs straightening. Off with you. I’ll be in the kitchen. Breakfast is in forty-five minutes.”
“Sure.” She had no clue where the guest room might be. “Jerome?”
“Yes?” He stood in the same spot. “A problem, Miss?”
“Aside from where the guest room might be…” She hesitated. “Never mind.”
“Miss? The guest room is down the hallway over there. It’s the only door on the left.” He tipped his head. “Ask your question.”
She might as well. “Does he bring other girls home? Many girls?”
“No. You’re the first in quite a long time.”
“Do you know I’m human?”
“I can tell.” He folded his hands. “You’re not the first girl to come here and won’t be the last.”
“I see.” I should’ve known that. “Are the other vampires on the guest list?”
“No. Sir likes to stay secluded, and I don’t mind a bit. Those vamps are rowdy and smelly. They spill blood on my carpets and track in mud.”
“And the Fae?” Maybe he didn’t know, but if he’d been around Casey for forty years, then he had to have a clue.
“We don’t get Fae here.” He frowned. “Young lady, Sir is a good man. Don’t start trouble.”
“No.” She wouldn’t think of it.
“I’ll find you when breakfast is ready.” Jerome left her in the living room.
Raine wandered away in the direction of the guest room. She twisted the knob and ventured inside. The lack of light should’ve bugged her. It didn’t. He probably wanted darkness all over. She felt the wall for the switch.
When she flicked the tiny handle, light bathed the room. The space needed straightening for sure. She’d never been a cleaning lady before and had no idea what was expected of her. She’d been adorned with a shock collar and left in a basement, but never expected to clean. She drank in the view of the space and gasped. Floggers in every style and material were hung on hooks along the wall. A cross hulked in the corner, and a hook dangled from the ceiling. Four sets of cuffs were on the table. A mirror decorated the farthest wall. She crept farther into the room.
What was she supposed to clean?
She ran her fingers over the wooden cupboard. How many other subs had enjoyed this room? A twinge of jealousy hit. She didn’t want to think about Casey being with anyone else. She had no claim to him, but still.
Raine toyed with the ends of one of the leather floggers. The cool material was soft in her fingers. The toy would leave an impression on her butt and in her mind.
She shivered. She’d love to feel the tails kiss her ass. To be cuffed on the cross and spanked until she came. To feel her master’s hands on her body, know he cherished her and respected her while he pushed her.
Would Casey ever allow her to play with hi
m in the special room? She hoped so.
She spread the sheet out on the leather bondage bed, then arranged the cuffs on top of the cupboard. Despite knowing better, she opened one of the drawers. Condoms, oils and lube had been tucked into each compartment. A paddle had been nestled in the next drawer. She withdrew the paddle and smacked it against her palm.
The sting resonated to her core. Her nipples beaded, and she groaned. If Casey used these items, he’d use them to make her feel good. He’d respect her.
“Casey,” she murmured. Would he get her a collar? Would he make her his girl? Spank her with his hands? Another shiver rocked through her. She needed to be ordered. Soon.
“Enjoying yourself?” Jerome asked. “You seem less shocked than the last girl.”
She faced the gnome. “Why? Am I supposed to be?”
“With all these floggers and the paddle? Why yes. You need a strong constitution to be in here.” He shook his head. “Better put that away. He’ll be cross if he sees you’ve touched his things.”
“I’m sure.” She put the paddle back. “Did you send me in here to test me? To see if I’d be offended?”
“Of course.” Jerome clasped his hands together. “Come along. Breakfast.”
She nodded and turned off the light before leaving. She wasn’t bothered by the toys or implements. The fabric of his shirt rubbed against her taut nipples.
She debated stopping in the bedroom to get herself back in order, but followed Jerome instead. She didn’t want to interrupt Casey’s sleep. She’d seen what happened when a vampire lacked sleep. She’d felt it, too.
Casey wasn’t an average blood-thirsty vampire. He’d been caring and sweet. If he wanted to kill her, then so be it, but she doubted he would.
He might want her to call him Casey, but she really wanted to call him Sir.
* * * *
Although he’d closed his eyes, Casey hadn’t slept well. He needed to feed and ensure Raine was safe. He could still hear the voice telling him the one who’d restore his humanity would be precious. When he found his one person, he’d even out. If that person died or was destroyed, he’d go mad.
He’d thought he’d end up being killed by one of the mercenaries before he’d found his person.
Then he’d seen Raine. Her curves, her sweetness, the way she’d behaved during play, those eyes and her mouth…he’d fallen head over heels in lust with her.
He rose six hours after he’d lain down and left the house long enough to feed. Drinking blood churned his stomach, but he had no choice. Once he fulfilled his thirst, he returned to the house.
Jerome waited in the kitchen. “You’re home.”
“I am.” He wiped his mouth. “And my girl?”
“Sleeping, last I checked. Atell is outside in case she tries to escape.” Jerome frowned. “Why her? Why a human? Not a Fae? Did you even try?”
“I’m not likely to find a Fae to bed me.” He didn’t mind Jerome’s forthright approach, but he hated to be questioned. “As for my girl, she is stronger than you think. Being human or anything else isn’t important. Her heart is what drew me in.”
“Very good.” Jerome didn’t move. “There is one thing. She cleaned the guest room.”
He bit back a growl. Jerome knew better than to let anyone into the guest room. “For shock value?”
“Sir?” Jerome feigned surprise.
“You know I don’t want any visitors in that room.” He narrowed his eyes. “Why did you send her in there?”
“I didn’t send her…” Jerome averted his gaze and twisted his stubby fingers. “I suggested it.”
“I see.” He supposed she’d have to get over the surprise eventually.
“She believes you brought her here as a servant. I couldn’t tell her otherwise.” Jerome twisted his fingers again. “She believes she is undeserving of you, too.”
“Very well. Do not instruct her to go in there again. Understand?” he asked. “I’ll handle her position in the house.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Jerome left before Casey could reprimand him. No matter. He had to find Raine. Either the playroom had scared her enough to make her run, or intrigued her. He strode down to her bedroom. Light shimmered under the door. He knocked, instead of his instinct to barge in.
“Jerome, go away,” Raine said. “It’s creepy.”
“What is?” He turned the handle and let himself into the bedroom.
Her eyes widened, then Raine sighed. “You.”
“You expected someone else?”
“He’s peeked in here four times.”
“Were you doing something you shouldn’t?” He kicked out of his boots and sat on the edge of the bed. “Well?”
She blushed. “I investigated the bathroom and showered again. I wanted to do my hair. But I feigned sleeping the last time he checked on me.”
“It’s lovely.” He liked the natural curl to it.
“Did you buy all that stuff for me? Or someone else?” she asked. “You have everything I could ever want.”
“Magic.”
“What?” She shoved something under the pillow.
“I created your things just for you with magic.” The stench of blood and death lingered on his clothes. He wrestled out of the shirt.
“Whoa.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “What?”
“I saw you before, but in this light…you’re solid muscle. You died in the peak of fitness.” She crawled over the bed to him. “Were you a model?”
“No.” He laughed. He hadn’t thought of himself as attractive, but loved that she saw him that way. “I ran a bank.” He swore he heard buzzing. From under the pillow?
“Oh. That explains the suits.”
“They’re comfortable and familiar,” he replied.
“I bet. Gives you an air of power and attractiveness, too.”
“Thank you.” He removed his pants and grabbed boxers from the dresser. He did hear buzzing.
“Do you run around nude very often?” she asked. Her breasts strained the fabric of his shirt, and her nipples beaded.
His hunger for her rose. “I only strut when I’m trying to impress someone.”
“Me?”
“Who else?” He slid into a pair of pajama pants. “Now, what else were you doing while I was gone?”
“I thought I smelled death on you.” She crinkled her nose. “I debated what to do with myself, met Jerome, thought about running away and chose not to…and I found the guest room.”
“I see.” He wanted her full reaction to the wonders of the guest space. “And?” He sat opposite her on the bed.
“I’ve seen lots of toys like that at the club. All those floggers and the cross…I bet the club would love it if you’d give them some suggestions.” She sat cross-legged and folded her hands. “It’s quite a selection.”
“Do you mind?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s your room.” She shrugged, but intrigue tinged her voice. “You knew I’d end up in there, didn’t you?”
“No. Jerome shouldn’t have told you to be in there.” His gnome should’ve waited.
“Because it’s not my business?” She nodded. “Understood.”
“No.”
She froze. “No?”
“Because it’s a special room, and I wanted to be with you when you explored it for the first time.” He reached for her. “I don’t take anyone into the guest room.”
“Why? Who do you play with?”
“You?” That’s the only one he wanted to be with in there.
The flash of a smile brightened on her lips. “Me?”
“I want you to trust me first and to understand what I want from you, but I do wish to play with you. I’ve not forgotten what I saw at the club. I want to lift you up and empower you.”
“Not punish?” she murmured.
“Not in the way others have.” He placed her on his lap. “You’re precious to
me.”
“For my blood.”
Her insistence on trying to figure him out would drive him berserk. “No, but if you keep trying to anticipate my thinking, I’ll spank you.” He patted her ass. “You only saw some of my toys. I have more.”
“Created with magic?”
He nodded. “That’s the beauty if being Fae—formerly Fae. I still have my magic.”
“And you have me.”
“I do.” He wanted all of her. No fear, no worry, no pain. Just her.
“I still don’t know what to do around here,” she said. “And why is something growling outside the front window?”
“That’s Atell. He’s a wolf shifter. He’s good private security, too.” He petted her hair. “He is paid to ensure you don’t leave. I can’t protect you if you run away.”
“Do you need to bite me? To claim me?” She shoved her hair away from her neck. “Do it.”
“Are you planning to run?”
“No.” She looked him in the eye. “In case he takes me, then you’ll find me.”
“Perish the thought.” But he appreciated how she thought ahead. “Are you sure you want to be claimed?”
“If you’re going to protect me, then yes.” She tipped her head. “Read my mind. Go ahead. I don’t have anything to hide from you. I’d never seen you before the sale, but I wish I had. I like you. You scare me because you’re a vampire, but you haven’t raised a hand in anger or tried to kill me, so that’s something. I’m worried you’ll turn on me like the others have, but it’s a risk I’ll take. You’re handsome and scary, and I shouldn’t be intrigued by that room or you. I should run away.”
“But?” He loved her honesty. Refreshing.
“I want to be your girl, cuffed to that cross and spanked. I want to feel your flogger and crop on my body. I want to feel free.” She stared at him. “I do.”
He peered into her mind. “I want you to really want me, not as a toy or food, but as a woman.” He did. He craved her. “I can give you that feeling, but you need to trust me.”
“I can do that.”
He patted her bottom. “I also need the truth. Always. You were masturbating, weren’t you?” And damn, knowing she had been doing that was so fucking sexy.