Security Binds Her (Thalia Book 1) (The Thalia Series)

by Jennifer Bene

  “What I want doesn’t matter. You’re here to be sold.” She bit her lip and nodded, tears sliding down her cheeks. She finished the orange juice, and he took the glass from her to set it aside.

  “Can you tell me, wi- will they hurt me like that, Master?” She closed her mouth against a sob, and he was strangely relieved to at least see her willingness to talk coming back, and she was reacting emotionally. She wasn’t like Beth.

  Yet. His mind taunted him.

  “I don’t know.” He watched as the fear washed over her, but he’d decided not to lie to her in this free moment they had. He couldn’t guarantee who would win the auction, after all.

  “I’m sorry I tried to run, Master.” Her shoulders were shaking as she tried to suppress her crying. He had never really felt compassion when others cried, but he found that he wanted her to stop, no matter how beautiful she looked.

  “I shouldn’t have given you the test after the issues this morning. I tried to make a point to my partner that you were obedient, and it backfired.” He pushed a hand through his hair as she took another bite he offered her. “It’s why I punished you so severely.”

  “I didn’t mean to fail you, Master. I won’t do it again, just please don’t put me back in the chair?” Her eyes were down once more, and he silently cursed his brother again.

  “No more chair.”

  She nodded, biting her lower lip. “Thank you, Master, I just - thank you.” She tugged at the bedding under her knees. “May I ask what happens next, Master?”

  He sighed, “The auction will happen in two days according to my partner. You have to be ready by then. Do you understand?”

  There was a pause, and it grated his nerves that she wasn’t responding to a direct question, but he made himself wait. She finally spoke softly, “How, Master?” Thalia was staring at the bed, speaking so quietly with her breathy voice that he almost misunderstood her. He debated on what to tell her, he wanted to tell her nothing. He didn’t want anyone to want her, but he knew if she didn’t behave by the time his brother arrived the chair would be the least of her concerns.

  “Be obedient. If you’re not obedient you’re going to deter the interest of any Master who may treat you well.” He tried to bite his tongue, but the next part came out of his mouth, “You shouldn’t try to seduce any of them either. If they want you, they will want you. If no one buys you at this auction, we will hold another.”

  And I can keep you in the meantime.

  He wanted to slap himself. His brother would never let him keep her. With her here he wouldn’t train another girl. That meant no money.

  No money meant no house, no cars, no life.

  No girl was worth that.

  Not even Thalia.

  “Yes, Master.” She nodded, looking at the now empty plate, and biting her lip. He wanted to bite her lip for her.

  He realized he’d fed her the entire plate of food as they’d talked, and she looked a little steadier. That may also have been the vicodin kicking in though to dull the pain. Her mouth was perfect, and she looked better now that she’d stopped crying, even though he liked the way her nose and cheeks turned pink, and how her eyes were more vibrant, the way she took little gasps of breath while she cried.

  His cock was hard in his pants, and he knew it was twisted that thinking about her crying had got him there. But after their fight in the kitchen he’d wanted to fuck her to make her submit again. He also hadn’t finished earlier when she’d stopped responding, and he’d purposefully avoided coming when he’d showered. Which wouldn’t have happened without the damn chair, but his brother’s request if she failed the kitchen test had left him with no choice.

  He should never have bet against his brother, he always lost.

  His heart slammed in his chest as he looked over her, he wanted her so much he was salivating.

  “Lay back.” His voice was rough. She didn’t argue, but she shook slightly as she lay back and he pushed her thighs apart.

  “Yes, Master.” Her voice was breathy and made his cock jump. He wanted her but he knew he had to get her back first. When he stroked her thighs he felt her muscles shake. She wanted to close her legs on him, but wouldn’t dare now that she knew what else was waiting for her. The chair had done something good at least. If he’d completely broken her though, it was all for nothing.

  He ran his tongue up her slit, his hands pushing her thighs farther apart. Her hips shifted slightly, and he focused his attention on her clit. The little bundle of nerves making her muscles quiver regardless of what she wanted. He slid his tongue inside her, tasting her again and groaning against her flesh. His thumb pressed gently against her clit, moving in rolling circles that made her hips shift in time.

  It may have been the rest, the food, the conversation, or more likely the vicodin, but she finally started to respond.

  After a few minutes a soft moan came out of her and he returned it, tasting as she grew wet against his mouth. He looked up the plane of her body, her stomach tightening and relaxing as she moved her hips against his mouth. Her breasts rising and falling with her breaths. Her head was tilted back so he could see her throat working while he pulled quiet sounds of pleasure out of her. He didn’t regret telling her the reality of her future, he hoped it would keep her in line or he’d never be able to keep his brother’s hands off her. He wanted to be the one to touch her.

  A wordless, breathy moan came out of her, dissolving into a whine as she clenched her hands in the fabric to either side of her. He moved his mouth back to her clit and reveled in the way her hips bucked against him. To think he’d risked this to satisfy his brother. He’d much rather satisfy Thalia. He thrust a finger inside her slick pussy and her moan changed, her back arching off the bed and easing back down with a tilt of her hips. He slid a second finger inside her heat and she started murmuring the little pleas that made his balls ache.

  “Please...” she moaned softly, and he knew she was likely not aware she’d said anything. Her fists tightened in the bedding and he wanted her hands in his hair again, but he didn’t want to break the moment. Her breath gasped, and he felt her tilt her hips back from his mouth.

  “May I?” Another gasp, as he pressed his mouth to her clit again, “May I? Master?” Her voice whimpered, and he curved his fingers upward and gave her what she wanted as he spoke against her flesh.

  “Come.” He commanded, and she did. Her walls tightened around his fingers, and he felt her pulsing. He ran his tongue along her, tasting her juices as her sticky wetness coated his face and fingers. He groaned and fought the urge to mount her. He’d just pulled her back, he could have her again tomorrow.

  Maybe only tomorrow.

  A heavy feeling settled in his stomach at the idea that in two days she could be gone. She could be under another man. The rage that idea summoned inside him was dangerous and he forced it back.

  He pushed up and held himself above her. A flush had crept up her chest and into her cheeks with the orgasm, her lips were swollen from how often she bit them. He kissed her, hard, but she moaned quietly against his mouth. He knew she could taste herself on him, and he settled his hips between her thighs. Her body stilled under his, but he just wanted to feel her. To know she was his for a little while longer. He bit her bottom lip and she gasped, opening her mouth so he could thrust his tongue inside her.

  He moaned into her mouth as he pressed his cock against her through his pants. He broke the kiss and leaned his head against the pillow by her head, his face in her silken hair. If he didn’t get up he was going to take her, and not gently.

  “Thank you, Master.” She whispered against his shoulder, and it almost undid him. He tightened his fingers in the sheets on either side of her, and kissed her again before pushing himself back. Looking down at her body was its own form of torture.

  “Good girl.” He cleared his throat and sat up between her knees. This view was even worse, he wanted to touch her, to fuck her until she only wanted him.

  He wa
s out of control. His brother was right.

  He made himself get off the bed, ignoring his erection that was beginning to border on painful. “Promise me that you’ll behave.”

  “I promise, Master.” She had pushed herself up on her elbows, and he groaned to himself. Why wasn’t he fucking her right now?

  “No more issues. None.”

  “No, Master.” She shook her head a little.

  “We’ll try cooking again later, rest for now. You have a busy day tomorrow.” He said it smoothly, and she opened her mouth to ask a question and then stopped. He couldn’t handle being as close as he was to her anymore, so he was grateful that she didn’t push.

  “Yes, Master.” Her hazel eyes were locked on his and he tried to remember her like this. Submissive, and satisfied.

  Who knew how much longer he’d get to look at her?

  Chapter Seven

  Thalia woke up flushed under the covers and threw them off. Her skin was damp, she could feel a blush in her cheeks, and as her dream came back to her she felt the sticky residual wetness on her thighs. She let out a little frustrated scream and pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes.

  She’d been dreaming of him. His hand between her thighs, his lips on hers, her hands in his hair as she moaned against his mouth.

  What the fuck was wrong with her?

  Under her hands she could feel the tears starting and she let out another little scream as she kicked her legs to untangle them from the sheets. He was insane, and horrible. He’d hurt her over and over. He’d let his partner hurt her in that nightmare of a chair. He’d threatened to sell her to a whorehouse in god knows where, and he was actually planning on selling her to someone just like him. Maybe worse than him.

  And she was fucking dreaming about him?

  ‘Because he’s the only person to ever make you come so hard and so often.’ A little voice inside her reminded her.

  Thalia gripped her hair as she fought the urge to snap. She didn’t want to think of the truth in that little voice. She couldn’t fight him. She definitely couldn’t outrun him even if she got outside. She was trapped. She was his – at least for now.

  What was the phrase? Better the devil you know, than the devil you don’t? The idea of his partner, or someone like him, getting her was even worse than the guard’s twisted possessiveness and penchant for punishment.

  At least he seemed to want her to feel pleasure, to come for him. He’d been upset the day before when she’d stopped responding, and he’d been gentle with her after that.

  It felt wrong for her to even think it, but he really had treated her well the night before. After he’d gone down on her, and her body had shuddered with a release she had not been sure she was capable of anymore, she had prepared for him to fuck her… but he’d left her alone.

  A couple of hours later he had returned and taken her back to the kitchen. She had been frustrated by how well he’d cleaned up. No blood on the floor, no glass. The gaping hole in the sliding door was neatly covered by tape and tarp. It was the only sign anything had happened except for the cuts and bruises on her body. He reviewed the rules with her, that even if she was cooking or cleaning if her Master returned to a room she must kneel until he gave permission to continue. He had her cook dinner, and tested the process several times. Leaving and returning. Leaving and returning. Then she had knelt by him on a pillow at the dining room table and he had fed her by hand.

  She’d felt like a dog, but she had been so hungry she had still told him thank you. She’d thanked him. Why did she keep thanking him?!

  She could hear a whine in her chest as her thoughts tore her apart. “Dammit, Thalia, what is wrong with you...” she whispered to herself, as she wiped her eyes and sniffled.

  The loud click of the door unlocking made her heart race. She didn’t want to make him angry again so she wiped her face on the sheets and knelt on the bed, head down. When the door opened she fought the urge to look at him. He was silent for a moment as she heard him set down a tray. Her stomach growled at the opportunity for food, despite the fact that she’d eaten more yesterday than any other day he’d kept her.

  “You put on quite a show this morning. What were you dreaming about?” The laughter in his voice made her flinch. As wet as she was she could only imagine what she’d done, or possibly said, in her sleep. For all the cameras to see.

  “I don’t remember, Master.” Her voice shook with the lie, but like hell she’d admit it was him. She wouldn’t be so stupid as to yell at him again, she wouldn’t try to run – that would be suicidal – but she wouldn’t provide something voluntarily.

  “Is that the truth, Thalia?” His voice was closer and it held a dangerous edge. Her heart rate increased and fear crept up her back.

  “Yes, Master.” She lied, but her voice was still shaking.

  He was by the bed, his hand brushed over her neck gently, his fingers moving into the hair at the back of her head. She waited for him to grab it, to yank her head back, but he didn’t. He moved his fingers against her scalp, sending a chill down her spine.

  “Thalia. I think we both know who you called out for.” The laughter in his voice was too much. Heat flushed her chest and her cheeks but she kept her eyes down. She bit her lip and he made a low noise in his throat and leaned in, kissing her hard. His thumb pulled her lip free, and she knew she shouldn’t look at him but she couldn’t resist. He kissed her again and then pulled her lip between his teeth, biting just hard enough to make her groan. Then he let go of her completely, leaving her breathing hard and her heart racing.

  “Come have breakfast, Thalia.” His voice was smooth, and calm. Damn him.

  “Yes, Master.” Her pulse was pounding in her temples as she watched him walk to a small table against the wall. It had one chair and he fell into it casually, leaning back as he waited for her to obey. He pushed a hand through his dark hair and leveled his stare at her to watch her. It was almost cruel that he was so attractive. For some reason aesthetic appeal made people seem nicer, but he wasn’t nice.

  She repeated it in her head for good measure: He isn’t good, he isn’t nice.

  Thalia dropped her eyes and slid from the bed to crawl to him. He ran his hand through her hair when she knelt next to him, and then he offered her a slice of melon.

  Part of her wanted to take it from him and feed herself, but then he probably wouldn’t feed her, and he’d hurt her, and – it just wasn’t worth the effort. She took the melon with her mouth and chewed slowly, savoring it.

  When she swallowed her stomach growled in response, demanding more.

  He laughed, and she clenched her teeth wanting to cover her ears against the sound. He didn’t seem to feel guilty at all about the day before, despite his ‘secret’ talk with her where he admitted he should have handled it differently. As if having his partner electrocute her for fun was the same as choosing a different paint color. “Hungry, Thalia?”

  “Yes, Master.” At least that she could answer honestly, and he continued to feed her by hand. Placing small bites in her mouth as he started talking.

  “We’re going to have guests today.” Her stomach dropped and he noticed how tense she became, her heart rate climbing again. Panic bloomed in her chest and she opened her mouth to speak but he put another bite in her mouth to cut her off. “My partner will likely not be here until tomorrow. Relax.” His hand brushed through her hair gently.

  “Yes, Master.” She responded automatically, her mind yanking her back to the pain in the chair. She didn’t want to meet his partner. Ever.

  “You’re going to be on your best behavior, and not embarrass me in front of my friend and his girls. Right?” His voice was smooth and confident, but she had no faith in the humanity of anyone he called a ‘friend’.

  “I will behave, Master.” She opened her mouth again as he slid a bite of strawberry inside.

  “Good girl. They’re only here to help you be prepared for the auction.” He popped another bite in her mouth but
a finger followed. She didn’t bite down as he slid his finger in and out. His blue-gray eyes were locked on to her mouth, and she lowered her gaze quickly so she didn’t have to watch him.

  “Don’t worry, Thalia. It’s just a test run today. The auction isn’t for another day or two.” His voice had lowered, and the edge was back in it. She nodded and his other hand slipped down to her breast and pinched her nipple. She made a noise but kept her lips wrapped around his finger, until he pulled it away and released her. Her mind was racing with all of the questions she wanted to ask. Who was coming? What would they do with her? What would his partner do when he arrived?

  She cleared her throat, “May I ask a question, Master?” Her voice was still shaking, because her body had flooded with adrenaline in her panic.

  “No. There’s nothing more you need to know about today.” He said it bluntly, and when she opened her mouth to speak he grabbed her chin firmly, “Finish your breakfast, Thalia.” He held out more of the food and she gave in as he continued feeding her until she finally shook her head. Since she’d barely eaten in the last few days she couldn’t eat as much as he’d brought. He used a fork to finish the omelet and fruit on the plate.