Chapter 68

Given everything that had happened, the quick text from Mandy as I collapsed into bed, asking to skip the morning routine, came as no surprise. But that only led to a sleepless night full of memories of our time together. Whenever I rolled over to find the mattress empty, another sigh left me. At last, I gave up and staggered outside for an early run.

Once done with my loop in the nearby hills and a rushed series of laps, I stood dripping water on the mat behind the weight bench, scouring her home. A gentle breeze, unseasonably warm, swept the clouds towards a vivid purple horizon, but with the house dark, my heart thumped slower.

After a heavy sigh, I went through the motions of working out before tromping indoors. Right as my feet stepped from the shower, Charles’ car rumbled past, and I couldn’t help smiling. She’d appear at any second. With a towel sweeping my head, I hurried downstairs.

But she wasn’t outside the doors. After another peek at her home, I shrugged and choked down breakfast. Just as I walked into the office, second full mug in hand, a slew of beeps announced the arrival of team reports on my computer. But before I settled into my chair, a strange sensation drew me to my phone. Where was she? After everything we’d shared, not even a “good morning?” With my chest tightening, I typed.

u ok?

When no response arrived, I sighed and sipped coffee while reviewing the first report. Not that the dry, technical words went far into my mind. Instead, my gaze kept scanning the empty rear doors. At last, the phone buzzed, but after snatching it from the desk, I tilted my head at her reply. Only a “thumbs up” emoji. With my chest even tighter and brow narrowing, I responded.

Got coffee if u want it.

Thanks, but I’m heading to Susan’s. Need some time to think.

To think about what? And then it struck me. Thanks to the hungry blonde Denise, the hazel-eyed beauty I’d nicknamed Fucktoy, and even Cinder. Duh, like them, Mandy had somebody else in her life. In fact, two people. A daughter plus husband. If she needed space, then who was I to restrain her?

Besides, my world also had its challenges, and my brows knitted over the reports from one of the south American teams. With another heavy breath, my fingers tapped on the phone.

OK. B safe. I’m traveling next week. 2wks. Overseas.

Her reply was delayed, but when it appeared, my heartbeat sped. Two words.

luv u

Okay, we were still solid, just had our responsibilities. With a slow nod, I typed the only appropriate response.

luv u 2

So, that left me coordinating calls for the upcoming trip and hacking through a backlog of team data. A while later, my phone chirped again. With a grin, I once more retrieved it.

But it wasn’t Mandy. Nope, okay, I’d been wrong. Of course, I also had people in my life. It was another of Cinder’s desperate texts, and my mind locked up. Yes, Mandy had said she was fine with me teasing her tormentor, but my finger hovered over the screen.

As I read through the previous messages, her need clawed at my soul. Sealed as it was, our compact tugged on my very being. Plus, with Mandy away, giving me the opportunity, the gods had spoken. Plenty of time to explore Cinder’s cravings. Not to mention some of my darker ones as well. My fingers tapped on the screen.

Slave.

Master!!! I’m so horny. Missed you so much.

At her instant reply, my heart staggered. There was a fine line between cruelty and teasing. After a quick check of my schedule, I clenched my jaw and typed.

Why? Fuck your husband.

No, master.

At that, my eyebrow lifted. I’d never provided such guidance.

Why not?

No orgasm.

Ah, true. That, I had said to her before I left, but still...

You can come with him.

No, master.

Okay, that had me scratching my head.

Why?

Yours, master. Only you.

The slightest tremor started in my jaw as I read and reread her reply. Was that a surprise? Yes, but it shouldn’t have been as memories floated towards me from the distant past. Still...

I never said that.

My response must’ve stumped her. There was a long break before my phone chirped once more.

I know, master, but please. I don’t want him.

To dig deeper? No, not over texts. With a rudimentary plan forming, I glanced at my schedule.

What do you want, slave?

Master, I need more.

More what?

Cock.

At the single word, I chuckled. No question: she remained fixated. Except, although she’d stated only the word I’d drawn from her that first time, much more tied us together. But I needed to plan, and to think.

Busy. Wait, slave.

Mind awhirl, I found myself scanning Mandy’s dark home. Again, she’d said it was fine, but wished to be aware of my activities. Okay, I had a week to explore several options for Cinder. At last, with a slow exhale, I lifted the phone and texted.

Cinder wants me.

Good.

At the swift response, I tilted my head. But then grinned while contemplating the single word. Right as I was preparing to tell her my plan, more words appeared.

Fuck that icy bitch into a drooling wreck again. She deserves it and you need it, master.

After that, I deleted my reply and snorted while moving back to the desk. What more could I add? My lover had given me permission. But I was in no rush. Cinder’s hunger would drive her even further into my grip.

Boom, right on schedule. Just as I was eating a quick lunch, the phone chimed. Not a text, but a photo of Cinder. Well, her glistening pussy. Judging by the furnishings visible beyond her shapely hips, it had been taken in an office. Then a message arrived:

So wet, master.

Wait.

Did I hate myself a little for sending the one word? No. Again, I’d owned others like her. Although I was tap dancing along the edge of cruelty, the right opportunity to notify her of my plan would arrive soon enough. It appeared that night. No text. Nor a photo. Instead, she asked for a video call.

“Sure. Why not?” I murmured before tapping the receive button.

No sooner had it connected than I smiled. It was a replay of her earlier video; the one Mandy had seen. Vivid emeralds fixed on the camera, she was sliding slender pale fingers along the rough collar around her neck. As she lay in bed, the anticipation was palpable in her face. Lips quivering, eyes glistening, and cheeks reddening even as I leaned closer. Why was I leaning? Beyond and with his back to her, Erville was curled beneath the covers.

When I returned to her, she gulped. Above a filmy pink negligee, slender fingers hovered. At my smile widening, she lifted it to bare both full globes and their sharp dark-coral tips. A growl built in my chest; I could feel them throbbing in my fingertips. Right where I wanted her, she was riding the edge.

Once more, clarity engulfed me. With a flick of my finger, I killed the connection. The relief she required would wake her husband. Plus, I wished to enjoy her company. No, after the resort, I needed to have her. To own her.

This Saturday, slave.

Yes, master.

Two words. No more were necessary. Although I could sense her need, she was silent for the rest of the week.

Come Saturday morning, the weather had flipped again. Beneath low-slung dark clouds, high winds were driving an icy rain. While inspecting the heavy drops spattering the kitchen window, I clenched my jaw. So much for that plan; they wouldn’t be playing golf. But then Charles drove past in the deluge, and a smile swept onto my face. An even better concept slipped into my skull.

“Oh, yeah. Poker. Dangerous, but could be more fun,” I mumbled, then picked up my phone. “Sure, that’ll work.”

On my way, slave. Be ready.

Yes, master.

Her instant response had my heartbeat racing. No worry over her husband staying home. Nor any excuse at all. Yes, there was a building stack of questions within me, but, gods above, how I missed that simple, unfettered obedience.

As such, despite a lighter rain as my footsteps splashed around the corner, toward the Rivas’ house, I was still smiling. No sooner had I stepped onto the front walk than the curtains shifted. And before I could reach for the doorbell, the door opened.

Eyes flooded with ravenous need, Cinder gave me a quick scan, but halted with a tremor when I met her gaze. Once more, she wore only a pink robe, but its collar was raised to conceal the worn leather taut to her neck. Not a word left her when my hands rose to part the gauzy coverup, revealing her lean, snowy physique. At the gentle clinking of the thick metal links as she trembled, I restrained a growl—my own hunger. No, I hadn’t expected her to have the heavy leash attached already.