Ethan went to the armoire in the corner of the room, staying within Sophie’s line of sight, but he noticed her eyes remained on the floor. She hadn’t made a sound since he entered, her breathing had remained stable and steady as though she knew what to expect. That would soon change. Gathering a couple of items, Ethan returned to Sophie, crouching behind her.
“I want your hands behind your back, Pet.” Sophie didn’t hesitate instantly obeying his command. Again, that shouldn’t have bothered him, but it did. He could sense this was not a natural move for her, she still complied with his demand.
Placing his hands around her wrists holding them together tightly, but not bruising. Ethan let his touch linger. He felt a small tremble and was pleased she wasn’t as unaffected as he initially thought. Removing his hold, he took one wrist and fastened the leather cuff around it, testing to ensure he hadn’t secured it too tightly and did the same to her other wrist, and then he connected the two cuffs together.
Ethan allowed Sophie a moment for her to absorb what was happening. Her breathing had slightly accelerated, but he didn’t sense any arousal from her. Pity. Taking the leather straps he had gathered from the armoire, he placed one at her elbows, fastening it tightly, further immobilizing her movements. He did the same to her ankles and knees.
Ethan stood and went to the remote he knew would be located in the nightstand. Turning on the stereo, he turned the volume up, knowing when he spoke into Sophie's ear only she would hear. All the private rooms in Free were sound proofed, but surveillance allowed for an audio component he was sure William was using to his advantage. Ethan planned to disappoint him.
Ethan again walked back over to Sophie crouching behind her, but this time he allowed himself to touch her more thoroughly. Reaching in front of her, Ethan ran his fingertips down the centered of her chest.
“Did you know that your nipple will react to things other than arousal or temperature?” Sophie didn’t speak or answer him in any way. Her eyes were still glued to the floor. Ethan continued to brush her silky, smooth skin with his fingertip. When his hands came back up from her belly, Ethan cupped her breast. He didn’t disguise the small growl that left his throat.
For the first time Sophie stiffened, not the response he expected, but it also answered one of his questions, she knew exactly what he was. Continuing with his game, he pinched her nipple giving it a slight tug.
“They keep this room at 73 degrees,” he said into her ear, “so I doubt it’s the cold affecting them right now. A little warm for my tastes, I prefer it to be a little cooler.” Ethan allowed his beast to come closer to the surface knowing his dominance even dulled would permeate the room or at least the small section they were in.
Sophie shivered under his touch, but there was no arousal. Ethan knew his time was short, so he continued, releasing her nipple, but still feeling her, running his hand down the center of Sophie’s chest again, not stopping at her belly button, going straight to her core.
“As I was saying,” Ethan cleared his throat, “your nipples will get hard because of several things, since temperature isn’t the cause let’s see if arousal is.” Sophie was stiff as a board at this point, and Ethan’s anger was getting the best of him.
“Tsk, tsk, little pet, arousal doesn’t seem to be the cause, either,” Ethan said running his finger through Sophie’s pussy. Ethan noted that she was slightly damp, but nowhere near what he would have expected if she was a willing participant in this scene.
“Such a same,” Ethan mused, “hmm maybe the cause is fear or could it be trepidation? For a Sub that pursued me, I find it odd you would not be aroused. Fear and trepidation to a stranger are good things though, shows you’re not a complete novice in these types of games.”
Ethan might have said the words, but he didn’t believe them for a second, any experience she had wasn’t at the hands of a real dominant with pleasure on the mind. She was trained, but her responses all indicated that training consisted of fear, possibly humiliation.
“Do you know the tenants of BDSM, pet?”
“Yes, Master.”
Fuck, hearing her speak for the first time nearly made him drop his hands. Her voice was sultry in a raspy seductive way. He longed to hear her screaming his name. Ethan licked her neck as a reward for the pleasure he’d just received.
“Hmm, let me hear them, I don’t quite think you get the concept.”
“Safe, sane, and consensual, Sir.”
“Ah, so she does know the words,” Ethan laughed. “Let me ask you a question pet. What is safe about allowing a man you don’t know to tie you up making you helpless to his wills and wants?” Sophie went to answer, but Ethan put his finger over her lips, “Shh I will let you respond in a bit. What is sane, sweet pet, about making yourself helpless, asking for things your body apparently does not want?”
“But…”
“What is consensual about forcing yourself to endure a man’s touch you don’t want? If you knew anything about this lifestyle, you would have learned the proper etiquette, Dom’s choose who they play with not the other way around. These things make me think there is more to this than a simple scene. The same thing can be said about a Sub, she chooses her partner and although you have chosen me, I question why that is.” Ethan got really close, pressing his body into Sophie’s back and whispering, “What is it you are hiding, sweet Sophie?”
“I’m…”
Ethan felt the vibration on his wrist and quickly got to his feet, not allowing Sophie to answer his question. Abruptly moving away from her going to the door.
“You are, pet. A monitor will be in here shortly to release you, don’t request me again. If I choose to play with you again, I will inform you myself, until then you need to reevaluate what you are looking for in this type of encounter. I have done and been involved in many scenes, but this one is going to be at the top of my lists of ‘do not repeat.’ Submission is an honor to a dominant, acceptance; resolve of an unwanted encounter, are not. What you have displayed here today does not bode well for you within this lifestyle. You have to want it, and Sophie, I fear that’s not the case with you. Enjoy your evening.”
Chapter 10
Ethan walked out of the room leaving Sophie stunned and ashamed. Hell, she hadn’t felt that way in a very long time. How had he so clearly seen through her act? He was wrong about one thing though; her body truly did want what Master Ethan had to offer. Hell, she wanted a lot more than that, and what the hell was that all about? This was a mission, she couldn’t want things. Hell, her life wasn’t even her own.
His touch had spark something in her she hadn’t ever felt before, and it scared Sophie. He wasn’t cruel or demeaning, he was almost caring, something Sophie hadn’t experienced in so long she had almost forgotten what it felt like. When he bound her wrists, she had expected pain, but he had been careful even checking them several times to make sure that they were tight but not too tight.
When he did the same with the binds on her elbows, knees, and ankles she wanted to melt into him, steal this warmth, and languish in it. Was she so desperate for a gentle touch she was misinterpreting things in her mind? He felt safe, and Sophie hadn’t felt safe in a very long time. She and Carley had been captives of the Overseer for almost six years. In that time, the only affection she had received was the few times she and Carley were allowed to spend with each other, but that was different from what she had been feeling under Master Ethan’s touch.
Sophie had felt a connection from the moment the door opened and he stepped inside. She had thought of the man she had seen by the boathouse earlier, but quickly dismissed it, they couldn’t be the same. Was she finally losing it after all this time? Her mind was clearly starting to break into little pieces.
Sophie tried every trick she had learned to deal with the feelings that were overwhelming her, but nothing was working. She couldn’t shake the feelings Master Ethan had provoked in her body and mind. It was almost as though the two of them were meant to meet at th
is time and in this place, but how was that even possible? She regretted never once looking beyond his shoes. She wanted to remember his face, but her training had kicked in, and she refused to be punished later for not following the rules. But damn, she would have accepted the beating if she had known she may never get the chance to see him again.
Sophie was playing everything over in her mind and remembered the feeling when she heard his voice. It was like warm, melted sugar had been spread all over her body. Then he had growled; she had heard that sound before many times. The sound scared her, reminded her that she wasn’t dealing with a man, she was dealing with a beast. So, why would she be reacting to a beast in this way? She hated them, wanted them all to die fiery, painful deaths preferably by her own hand, but even thinking those thoughts where Master Ethan was concerned hurt her heart. What the hell was going on?
Sophie heard a grunt and quickly looked up seeing one of Williams men, Jason; she refused to speak his name ever again in his presence, regulating him to the animal he was. As she tried to shrink back, the binds Ethan had used prevented her movement. The man leered at her, never once looking at her face, his focus completely on her breasts and lower region. Sophie desperately wanted to cover herself. Damn, why had she let Master Ethan leave without asking to be unbound? She had no defense to whatever this man was planning.
When he unceremoniously picked her up, placing her over his shoulder, leaving her dangling, Sophie thought for a second this wasn’t going to be as bad as she thought. He was just taking her back to her room or some other place in the building, but he caressed her ass penetrating into the crease. She struggled, not caring if he dropped her to the floor, she didn’t want him touching her.
His grip tightened on her body, his gruff, ‘be still’ had no effect on her, she continued to fight. When he dropped her, causing her to hit her head on the side of the bed, Sophie didn’t allow the stars flashing in her eyes to deter her, she would use everything she had to fight off this animal.
“Ah, I see you didn’t get your fill with that pansy shifter, maybe you need a real lesson in BDSM. I think you need a firmer touch. We have a couple of minutes before William is done with the poser, maybe I should give you a lesson you won’t soon forget.”
Shit, Sophie thought, if there were posers in the building it was this man and William; they loved to cause pain. Their dominance was based on fear and nothing else, if they couldn’t destroy the women they had under their care, they weren’t happy. Bruises and blood fueled their fire. Ethan had seemed different, she just hoped it was genuine and not an act.
Just as he had grabbed her hair and started to undo his belt, Sophie heard a knock at the door. For a minute, she thought the man would ignore it, but he stepped away. She couldn’t help the sigh of relief that escaped her lips.
“Oh, don’t think that we won’t finish this.” Looking back at her he said, “I happen to know your usefulness has run its course, and soon the Overseer will allow us the pleasure of your company.”
Oh no, that wasn’t good. If she was no longer useful, Sophie knew what would happen to her having seen it with other women over the years. It would be a free-for-all, and Sophie would be the one who paid the price. These animals had no boundaries when let free to do as they wished. Sophie curled into herself, holding her body tight. Why now? If she was no longer needed, then what had happened to Carley and her nephew?
“Master William has requested you take this one to the basement, he will be coming down later to deal with her. I suggest you hurry, he wants a meeting with all the staff before he continues his nightly activities.”
Sophie recognized the high-pitched and grating voice of the woman who had been leading her around for the past three days. She spoke to the men like she held some type of power, but Sophie knew better. Once William had his fill of her, she would be in the same position as Sophie. At least Sophie knew it, this woman didn’t have a clue.
The man stomped over to her, lifting her effortlessly; that was one thing about Shifters their strength was incredible. Sophie was not overweight by any means, but lifting her from the floor, the way he had, should have at least garnered a grunt or two. It only added to her resignation when the Overseer decided she would be dead after many hours or days of pure torture.
Sophie continued to play the time she had spent with Ethan through her brain. What had she done wrong? She had done everything she was told to do, kept her eyes on the ground, didn’t speak unless asked a direct question. She had even remained in position until directed to move into another one. Why had he dismissed her so quickly when she was stuck still thinking about him and his touch and why did it seem to matter so much to her?
Sophie was dropped to the floor, only this time it wasn’t the plush carpet of the room she had been in, no, it was cold, hard concrete that greeted her. She watched as the man who had dropped her smiled at her wince of pain, but she wasn’t going to give him any more than that. Pushing her body, Sophie tried to sit up, but the bindings were preventing the movement. The asshole found her predicament amusing and laughed out loud. The woman again interrupted his fun, and Sophie again felt sorry for her, she had no idea what was waiting for her at the end. This man would make her pay for every time she interrupted him.
“Master William has requested your presence upstairs, I don’t think it is wise to keep him waiting, he’s not in a particularly good mood.” The woman’s admonishment fell on deaf ears, but before he left, he trailed his finger up the woman’s arm.
“You will learn soon that women have their place, Jennifer, just as the mongrel has hers.”
Sophie watched as the woman shook but didn’t respond. Maybe she did have a brain in her head after all.
“You have upset Master William, and he will be down shortly to deal with you. He wants you to be kept in the binds Master Ethan placed, so that you will have a constant reminder of your failure. Dominants never leave their subs in binds without being present. Him leaving you in that fashion was akin to a slap in the face. Your behavior has greatly displeased him and Master William.”
Sophie bet it had, the problem was she couldn’t figure out what she had done wrong, and she knew William wouldn’t be able to tell her either. He was probably pissed that Ethan had decided not to beat on her for a while, at least then he would have gotten a show.
“As part of your punishment, I am to tell you that you will no longer get the comfort of a room, this cell is to be your home until this mission is completed, and you are returned to the Overseer.”
Sophie knew she was going to be punished, so she decided to push it and see what this woman would say.
“Are you here because you want to be or a prisoner like me?”
The woman just looked at her for a couple of seconds, and Sophie thought she might just turn and leave, but her earlier suspicions were correct, the woman was curious and chatty.
“I am here because my Master and yours chose for me to be at his side. It is my duty and honor to serve him in any way he wishes. I am the future of his kind. I am no more a prisoner than you are, I just know how to please him, and you only know how to defy.”
Sophie wasn’t surprised at how proud the woman seemed to be at her little statement. Her mind was just as warped as the rest of them.
“So, you allow that creature to touch and fondle your body? To abuse and hurt you on his whim, all in the guise of pleasing him?”
“You would not understand, you are an untrained animal. William has told me about you, you're an abomination to his kind. A creature mixed up in a test tube and set free in this world. I, on the other hand, am special to him; he only directs me when I have done something wrong. My body and being don’t disgust him like yours.”
This woman was deluded, and Sophie knew she would never change that, but she couldn’t help but adding her two cents. Maybe the woman would get a clue before it was too late.
“Really, that’s odd, were you not present when Jason touched you? Did you not hear his wor
ds?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jennifer said, but Sophie had seen the fear in her eyes. “Master William loves me, I am his valued pet, something you would know nothing about.”
“That is true, I will never be anyone’s treasured pet. It must make you feel so good knowing that, but I have to ask, do you have any idea what he has done with his previous valued pets? Because I do.”
“You know nothing, you are nothing. I am just trying to advise you, so that you aren’t the burden on him as you have been the last few days. If you aren’t willing to take my advice, then I fear you will only suffer at his hands.”
This time Sophie didn’t hold back her laugh, she did it openly and loudly, throwing the woman off.
“I feel sorry for you, Jennifer; if you take nothing from our meeting, please take this, that man no more values you than he does the shoes on his feet. Once he has worn them out, he will discard them or give them away to anyone who happens to want them. That is your future. I suggest you run and run fast.”
Not expecting the woman to answer her, Sophie wasn’t surprised when she just walked out the door. Sophie could hear the lock engage, and again she laughed, hell, what did they think she was going to do, she was tied up unable to move? Even if she were able to crawl to the door like an inch worm, she wouldn’t have been able to turn the knob.
Chapter 11
Ethan was stopped before he could leave the Club and it didn’t surprise him, he had been waiting for it. William looked agitated, and that made Ethan happy.
NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team Page 112
