To listen to his words, to see the hands that had spanked her, as well as teased her pink slit.
The man she had told her friend she was falling for, and the man she had denied wanting, were one and the same.
How did this happen, and what am I going to do now?
Chapter 11.
The shower almost scalded her skin, but still, it wasn't enough.
Judith hung her head, red-hair streaming down like wet fire, eyes watching the water run down the drain.
It'd be nice if my memories, and my worries, could just go down there too, she thought. Leaning on the tile, the young woman closed her lids and tried to get a grasp on her mind.
After last night, after that one brief glance behind the mask of the man she'd been falling for, everything had been ruined. Her head ached with the image of those cold eyes; blue as sapphires, just as hard.
Why. Why did I have to see. Why did it have to be him?
As much as she had questioned her decision to allow her secret lover to get as close as he had, when threatened by being denied more of him, told that despite all of the things he had taught her, it would be someone else who would claim her at the... the...
The auction. How dumb, how ridiculous!
Yet, it bothered her like nothing else, imagining being sold to some other faceless Dom. After all the things Master Onyx showed me... my biggest fear last night was losing him in the wake of his strange decision to apparently never claim a Sub of his own. At least, if what that girl Opal said is to be believed.
Frowning, Judith brushed a damp strand of hair behind her ear, ignoring it as the shower moved it back out of place. I lost my mind, for a moment. Told him he couldn't sell me to someone else. That memory was horrible as well, being pulled to the ground, chastised and scolded by his harsh words.
But that wasn't what haunted her now.
Those eyes, behind that mask, she'd finally seen them. And in doing so, she had identified her mysterious, dark temptation of a man. It was Benedict Vance, her current employer. The very man who had forbidden her from ever peeking behind that alluring red door downstairs. The door that had led her to the commanding Master Onyx, opened her mind to the delicious, sinful world of kneeling at someone's feet.
I was scared of losing Master Onyx at the auction. But now, I've lost him anyway. And all because he... and Benedict... Gritting her teeth in frustration, she slammed her fist onto the tile wall, over and over until her knees buckled. Crumbling to the bottom of the shower, she folded her arms and sobbed.
Why did they have to be the same person?
She couldn't go back, not now, not after learning that. The risk of Benedict discovering that she was, in fact, the girl named Sparrow—the submissive in training she'd been masquerading as—was too great.
He was a cold, strict man. She had no illusion he'd ban her from his home, revoking the admission letter she needed, once he learned she'd broken his rule.
Don't ever open the red door. I should have just listened.
Her skin was like a prune when she finally left the bathroom, wrapped in a robe, her ruby tresses bound up in a towel. Judith settled on her bed, her borrowed guest room, and stared blankly at the wall as she gathered her plan together.
I just need to finish the mural for him. Once I do that, I'll... I'll just leave. I can't do this anymore, play this game, knowing what I know... and what he'd do if HE knew. If I go back into that dungeon tonight, or anytime, ever, I'm just playing with fire.
Thinking of Onyx, how his smooth glove had felt on her throat, his words whispering wickedly in her ear as he made her body tremble with a lust she never knew...
No. If I go back, I'll only get hurt. It's done, it has to be.
Wiping her cheeks, feeling the dampness on her milky skin, Judith pretended it was water from the shower.
****
The kitchen downstairs was quiet, morning light frail and white where it poured in through all the glass. Judith moved around on soft feet, the vibe in the air one of respectful solitude. I wonder where Benedict is, or Corbin? Frowning, she poured herself a glass of milk from the fridge, sipping it as she stood by the back doors. Outside, the world was green with life.
I wonder if this will be my last day here. If I finish the mural tonight, well... Sighing, she swirled her drink and mumbled softly to herself. “It's for the best, isn't it?”
“Is what for the best?” The voice came from behind her, close enough his breath tickled her neck. Judith gave a shout, spinning and dropping her glass onto the tiled floor. Together, her and Benedict watched the shards of crystal explode everywhere, the milk cascading around in a white splash.
Her mouth hung open, brown eyes sharp and frightened as they focused on the equally stunned face of her employer. Benedict had his hands lifted, fingers spread like he was trying to protect himself from an oncoming attack. But Judith could only stare into his sparkling blue eyes, forced to recall the moment she had seen them last.
Her mind blurred with the memory of his hand in her hair, her cheek rubbing into the rug while his words burned her ears like embers.
Oh god, say something, do something! Stuttering, she quickly moved to the right side of the kitchen, grabbing a towel and bending to wipe the spill. “Oh god, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—”
“Careful!” he hissed, reaching down to grab for her shoulders. Judith didn't listen, she looked at the wet mess as she soaked it up, her hands rubbing across the tile fast. It was then, as she adjusted herself, that her bare feet found the inevitable shard of glass.
“Ah!” Inhaling sharply, Judith dropped the towel, wincing at the sudden pain.
“You idiot,” Benedict snapped. Before she could respond, to even try to argue with him, he had wrapped his arms around her and scooped her up. Holding her close, he looked past her and at the glittering mine field that was once a kitchen. “Don't you know better than to move around without shoes on after breaking something?”
Judith was breathless, her words lost on her tongue. Staring at his face, she noticed the slight stubble on his jaw, something usually invisible. But not now, no, not when she was close enough to nuzzle him.
Oh shit what am I thinking!
“Corbin! Corbin, get in here!” Shouting, the man turned and carried Judith into the living room, holding her like she weighed nothing. Pressed against his chest, she inhaled his scent, the heavy olive oil smell reminding her painfully of Onyx.
Or really, reminding me of Benedict, too, since they're one and the same. I need to remember that, I need to...
His eyes fixed on her, intense and bright. Gingerly, he set her on one of the couches, kneeling on the rug in front of her. “Let me see,” he said softly.
“I—what?”
“Your foot, let me see where you stepped on the glass.” He gestured, impatiently looking over his shoulder, trying to listen for Corbin. With his sapphire orbs away from her face, Judith was able to clear her head from the fog.
Licking her lips, she lifted one leg from where it poked from her bathrobe, regretting her decision to not get changed after her shower. Benedict turned back around, his fingers encircling her ankle. When he leaned in, she felt his breathing, her tiny hairs sticking up like needles.
“Mr. Vance, what happened?” Corbin had appeared, standing by the hallway and looking concerned.
“Corbin, grab me the first aid kit. Ms. Flight stepped on some glass.”
“I saw the mess in the kitchen, yes, of course.” He was gone like a ghost. Judith blamed how distracted she was with Benedict cradling her foot.
He looked up at her, brows low, his tone exasperated. “Does it hurt?”
“Oh, uh, not much. It's really probably no big deal,” she said, forcing a smile. He clearly didn't believe her, his eyes squinting at her heel as he ran a thumb across the bottom. The sensation made her jump, a shiver rolling down her spine. He brushed the cut, making her openly hiss through clenched teeth. “Alright, yeah, that hurt.”
&nb
sp; Corbin crossed the rug on silent feet, kneeling beside Benedict, first aid kit in hand. It was clear, as he pulled out a small bottle and tweezers, that he was planning on removing the glass himself.
Benedict had other ideas.
Without even looking, he reached out and took the items, still peering at Judith's foot. “Thank you, Corbin. That will be all.”
She lifted her eyes, watching the calm, emotionless way the chauffeur remained crouched. Finally, he straightened and gave a slight nod. His eyes were flat when he glanced at Judith, but she felt a cold twist of discomfort. “As you wish.” He said no more, only turned on his perfectly shined shoes and vanished into the kitchen.
That was sort of weird, did Benedict offend him?
The man at her feet touched the tweezers to the cut, making her jerk away. “Ah! Sorry!” She blushed, seeing his face and how he frowned.
“You don't like pain, do you?” he murmured, gripping her ankle like a vice, keeping her still as he gently prodded at her wound. He was very focused, she found herself watching how precisely he moved his hand.
“No,” she pouted, “who would like pain?”
“Sometimes it's needed, sometimes it has its place.”
She bit her tongue to keep from commenting. It was impossible not to recall the spanking Onyx had put her through on her first night of training. This is too weird, he doesn't know that I get what he means. What an insane game this is. He thinks he's playing with a hidden deck, but I know all of his cards.
“There,” he said, lifting the tweezers, the shard of glass held between them. Wrapping it in a napkin, he set it aside. Holding a bottle, he poured the liquid onto a cotton ball, the scent in the air acrid.
“Peroxide,” she groaned, even before he pressed the wet, burning blob to her cut. “Dammit, that stings!”
Benedict chuckled, pressing a bandage to her foot and winding a small amount of gauze around it all to keep it in place. “Don't complain so much. You're fine now, it was a small thing, really.”
I know, so why did you react like you did? Were you that worried about me?
Frowning, Judith set her foot on the floor, testing her weight on it gingerly. “Thanks, and sorry about your glass.”
“It's fine. I didn't mean to scare you this morning. I was surprised at seeing you so early, was all. Did you have some plans?”
Opening her mouth, she spoke carefully, taking the time to form her words. “Yes. I was going to finish the mural today.”
He kept his face neutral, but nodded quickly. “I see. Have you given any thought to my offer, then?”
“Your offer?” Concentrating, she remembered how he had suggested she stay on, working for him and painting other rooms in his giant house. I can't, I just can't stay. “I... think it would be better if I just got ready to focus on college, my classes. If that makes sense.”
Standing, he offered her a hand, his expression stoic. “Ms. Flight, I have nothing but respect for the pursuit of knowledge. I hope you'll decide to come back in the future, when you have the time.”
Does that mean he understands, or not?
Warily, she set her palm in his, noticing how small it felt in his grasp. He helped her up, and she settled her weight on her injured foot. It stung, but it didn't hamper her movement.
“If you'll excuse me, I have some things to attend to now. I have an important event tonight I need to prepare for.” His smile was tight as a drum, his back to her far too quickly.
Judith stood there, watching him vanish down the hall. As he left, she turned her head; catching a glimpse of the red door, its surface shining, mocking her.
Yes, she thought sadly, I know exactly what event you're planning for tonight, Master Onyx.
Chapter 12.
With long, labored strokes, she painted the mural.
It was the first she could remember not enjoying her art. It held no joy, no satisfaction, knowing the piece would be complete soon.
Filling her lungs, Judith pushed air between her tight lips. This sucks.
There was no better way to frame it. The situation was unfair, she'd been forced to walk away from the thing she wanted most. The thing she hadn't even thought she could want.
Dragging the brush over the wall, Judith realized she'd run out of paint. Scowling, she pulled out her phone to look at the time. Almost eight. Dammit. She'd wanted to be done, gone out the door before anyone arrived that evening. Guess I messed that up, too.
Rubbing her neck, the young woman massaged her knotted muscles. She ached all over, mostly from how awful her sleep had been. All those nightmares.
Abruptly her phone came to life, the girl almost dropping it in her surprise. Peeking at the number, she brightened up and answered it. “Hey Lorraine, what's up?”
“Judith! Hey! Just calling to check in, see how things were progressing.”
“Well,” she sighed, eyeing the wall. “The mural is pretty close to done and—“
“No, silly.” Lorraine's voice dropped an octave, burning with humor. “I meant the progress on your mystery man.”
Tightening her fingers on the phone, Judith scanned the foyer below. No one had entered the house yet for the auction, but she still felt like that conversation was better in private. “Oh, uh...” Scurrying over the floor, she slammed the door of the guest room behind her. “Right. That whole thing.”
“'That whole thing.' What a way to phrase it!”
“Lorraine, listen. The stuff between me and... that guy?” Sliding down the door, Judith sat on the ground. “It isn't going so well.”
The girl on the line made a sympathetic sound. “Do tell.”
“It just isn't going to work out. I—I guess you could say I messed up, thought he was someone else.” Or didn't think he was someone, more specifically.
For a long minute, the willow-haired woman was quiet. When Lorraine spoke next, she was dubious. “Okay, so is the person he really is someone bad, someone you don't like?”
Chewing her tongue, the red-head looked down at her feet, at the bandage. “No, he isn't bad. He's just more than I bargained for, maybe? I don't even know. Lorraine, there's more to him than I initially suspected.”
Her hard laughter was surprising. “Who the hell doesn't have more to them than we think at first? Judith, you're looking at this all wrong.”
“I am?”
“Yes! So your crush has more to him than on the surface. If it's good stuff, what's the big deal?”
What's the big deal... Judith's eye roamed over to her closet. “I need to go, Lorraine.”
“Uh, what? Already?”
“Yeah,” she whispered, rising with determination. “I just remembered something I have to do.”
****
Standing in front of the red door was harder than it had ever been before.
But she had made up her mind, so she wasn't about to back down.
Stepping through, her pretty chocolate flats made no noise on the descent. Corbin waited by the curtain, she hardly gave him a glance. With her mouth in a tight line, Judith scribbled down her name.
Pushing through the curtain, her dress close to matching with its deep violet hue, she stared around the room. Inside, there was a clear, excited vibe.
And I know the reason. The auction is tonight.
Glancing side to side, she spotted Roseli. The taller girl was clad in a flowing, wispy thing the color of burnt caramel. Her hair was wound up, elaborate and lovely.
If I follow her, I'll know where to go, what to do.
It wasn't a long wait.
Helm strode into the main area, standing tall with a surety possessed only by kings. He was as intimidating as Master Onyx, but no where near as thrilling. Looking over the crowd, he gave a curt jerk with his head.
Instantly, Roseli and a few other girls began to follow him. Judith took a slow breath, trailing in among the tiny group silently.
They moved down a hall she'd never explored, a path that opened up into the largest room so
far. It was wide, brighter than the rest. Candles illuminated the round platform in the center, a place that drew Judith's attention, held it.
That must be where we'll stand. We'll truly be like items in a show case.
How right she was, it seemed. Helm motioned to Roseli, then one by one, the women began to ascend to the stage. Judith shivered, avoiding the Master's gaze when she followed suit. She thought he might say something about her being there, yet he only smirked instead.
The second they were all lined up, a group of masked slaves entered through the doors. Judith didn't know who they were, why they were there. “All of you are up for auction,” Helm snapped at them. “Disrobe, then hand off your clothing to these women here.”
Closing her eyes, Judith forced herself to relax. Of course, of course they'd want that. Beside her, she heard the gentle noise of dresses unfolding. Looking down at herself, she used trembling fingers to peel away the purple gown.
Darting a look sideways, seeing everyone stripping their lingerie off, she joined in reluctantly.
The air was cool on her breasts, nipples firming in seconds. Her strip of curls was her only protection. She realized the other women were all shaved.
Bending down, she offered her bundle of clothing to one of the masked woman, spotting her collar glinting. “Your shoes as well,” the brunette whispered. Frowning, Judith crouched to tug off her flats. The first was uneventful, but the second...
Oh, shit, she almost gasped out loud. There, wrapped around one slim heel, was the bandage Benedict had placed on her that morning. No one noticed her wide eyes, why would they?
Handing off her shoes, she felt sweat slip down the middle of her chest. This could be bad. She wondered in a panic if he would see, if he might connect the dots like she had about him.
Perfectly Too Far Page 10
