My Secret Master (A Dark Billionaire Romance) (16 page)

Wandering around the girls, Helm talked about us as if we were livestock. The compliments were scant, and by the time he reached me, I was fidgeting from unease.

Reaching down, he grabbed my chin, forcing my head up towards the crowd.
No,
I thought desperately,
I don't want to look out there, I'm not ready to meet his eyes!

“This girl,” Helm grunted, “Is the most feisty of the lot. If you don't enjoy a slave who will require you to punish them often, I would avoid her.” Freezing, I glanced up at Helm in surprise. His sneer was cruel, but his gaze was full of hunger. “I was thinking of taking her myself, honestly, as I
do
like girls who need a... firmer hand.”

He let me go, but his threat stayed with me long after.

No, I can't go with Helm. If he picks me, I'll never come back here.

I'd draw blood to escape, if I had to.

I was spared from more of the cold man's commentary. He moved back through the line, then dropped down to the floor. Folding his arms, he nodded at the gathering. “I imagine you all want closer looks. Go ahead, help yourselves.”

Closer looks?

The Masters rose in a gentle wave, coming to crash down upon all of us. They strolled around the stage, leaning close and talking to themselves. It was humiliating, yet still, it sent a rush through my blood.

That feeling grew ever higher when Onyx appeared before me. Staring down at my face, locking me with his fierce gaze, he spoke under his breath. “So, little jewel. You felt you were wiser than I, ready to auction yourself off in spite of my instructions?”

“No, I didn't think—”

His fingertips gripped either side of my face, crushing hard. “Yes, you didn't think. I actually debated with myself, you know. The thought about purchasing you.” Those words had my heart soaring. “But,” he went on, letting me go. “Now I know better. You are too defiant, too keen to break the rules.”

He let me go, and I hung my head, sorrow chilling my blood and blackening my mood.

He might have chosen me, if I had just listened.

Onyx paused, fixated on something. Peeking over, I swore he was staring at my foot.

At my bandage.

A clawed hand strangled my lungs.
Shit. This is it.
He's going to notice, and then, everything will end.

But what did I care? Wasn't it over, anyway?

Together, he and I shared a long, heavy look. I couldn't twitch a limb, I was waiting for him to do... anything.

Crossing his arms, Onyx continued past me. He never said a word, there was no reaction that I could see. Had he not noticed that the cut was the very one he'd plucked glass from? That morning, he'd carried me away like I was a princess meant to be protected.

Watching him, I was more lost than ever.

He doesn't remember. That event meant more to me, than to him, after all.

This should have been a relief. It meant my secret was safe.

Why was I so defeated?

The Masters conversed among themselves. Staring hotly at my hands, I worked to smooth my breathing.

“So then,” Helm bellowed, getting everyone's attention. “Let us begin the bidding. You should all recall how it works, simply raise a finger to bid. If we have multiple bidders, the price doubles for every digit. I don't expect anyone to lift a whole hand, but if so, you should make sure you're willing to spend that money.” Climbing the stage, he gestured at the first girl. “Let's start with Roseli.”

In their masks, with their stony mouths, it was impossible to see the Master's expressions. The subtle way they moved an arm, to wave a finger, showed a few wanted the tall woman.

I glimpsed the proud smile Roseli didn't bother to hide.

By the end, three of the men had lifted fingers, but the final one held up three. Helm grinned hungrily, sharing a look with Onyx. He seemed disappointed when the other man didn't look as delighted. “Well, there we go. Roseli, go join your new Master.”

Easily she stood, entirely comfortable in her nudity and in her position here. Walking down the steps, she bent like a flower in the breeze at the feet of one of the sitting men.

Reaching down, he touched the back of her neck, whispering into her ear. Whatever he said, it made the girl beam.

The flicker of jealousy I felt boggled my mind.

Helm was nearby, his presence so close it made my skin itch. He touched the top of my head, and I jerked. “Let's talk about Opal. As I said, she's been a bit of trouble. However, she
was
so very, very eager during the session Onyx put her through the other night.”

He made me remember the show I'd been a part of.

How I'd come multiple times for the crowd.

My blush was furious, sweat spreading between my shoulder blades.

“Who would like to bid on her?” he asked. I lifted my eyes, just enough to stare out at the emotionless sea of faces. At first, no one moved. On the nape of my neck, Helm gripped tighter, triumphant. “No one?”

No one?
Peering at Onyx, I tried to read his mind.

Like a forgotten mountain, the dark man never moved.

Despair sank into my veins.
That's it. It's really over.
My effort had been wasted.

Onyx... Seth... they didn't want me.

“Then,” Helm murmured, stroking the back of my ear. “I believe I'll happily—”

“No,” Onyx cut him off. His hand was up, a finger pointed. “I'll bid on her. The little jewel belongs to me.”

My lips spread in a relieved smile. I could have gotten up and danced. In that dim room, the lights brightened, colors saturating from my joy.

Were my eyes watering?

With my delirious grin, I tried to communicate my delight to Onyx. Oddly, he didn't seem pleased. If anything, his tense mouth hinted at something grim.

Above me, Helm gave my throat a squeeze, then stepped away. “As you say, she is yours.” Moving around, he eyed me with petulant longing. “Go to him, girl. You belong to Master Onyx now.”

I belong to Master Onyx!

Standing on wobbly legs, I was amazed I made it down the steps without stumbling.

I'm his, I'm finally his.

Staring into his face, I dropped to my knees in my first display of fluid grace. Onyx placed his hand in his lap, but he didn't touch me. He didn't even try.

Unsure what was wrong, my smile broke.
Why is he so angry with me? Is it because I came here when he told me not to?

It didn't matter. His anger would fade with time. All I cared was that he'd shown his true colors.

Seth—Onyx—he wanted me.

For the rest of the auction, I knelt there in heavy silence. It wasn't until everyone began to stand, striding from the room, that Onyx finally spoke.

“Come, Opal,” he whispered. “We need to talk.”

Naomi

––––––––

O
ne of the woman handed me the clothing I'd arrived in. Redressing, sliding my feet into my shoes, I rushed to tag along after Onyx.

Together we walked down the hall. I stayed just behind, watching his heels. His whole body was tight, an elastic at its limit. It actually scared me.

I expected us to head off to a private room. What I didn't predict was that Onyx would lead us to the main area, and once there, continue on through the curtains.

Pulling up short, I gaped after his vanishing back.

Oh, no.

I knew what had happened. Staring down at my flats, then back again, I grasped the situation firmly.

He knows.

Like a prisoner heading for the electric chair, I walked through the drapes.

Upstairs, pushing past the door, I looked around. I didn't see him, not at first.

“No regard for my rules, not even now. Right, Ms. Starling?”

I spun, finding Seth sitting on the couch in the foyer. His legs were crossed, one arm on the back of the seat. In his other hand, he held his black mask. He turned it, as if he was seeing it for the first time.

Lifting his head, he rolled his cold sapphire eyes over to me.

Shaking like a leaf, I reached up, touching my own disguise.

This is it.

The game was done. He'd figured it all out.

Even so, I hesitated, enjoying the last few seconds where our lives in the dungeon below didn't have to exist, here, in the real world.

The mask came away in my hands, heavy as a boulder dragging me beneath the waves.

“That isn't it,” I said. “I just—I was curious.”

Tilting his head, a cruel smile grew. “And was your curiosity sated?”

“It was.” Hanging my head, I reached up to untie my hair. The elaborate curls fell apart. Their limp, shapeless mess seemed fitting.

Looking away, his forehead crinkled. His mask was set on the couch. “Why did you keep going back?” he asked. His emotions restrained, Seth approached me. “Why did you return so many times?”

Flushing crimson, I looked away.

He glowered, raw fury finally leaking into his hot words. “Corbin will take you home. Gather anything of yours you brought. I have no more need of you.”

Though I had once expected such a reaction from him... I was still shocked. My hair whipped when I twisted back. “What do you mean? I haven't finished the mural!”

“I don't care!” His features creased, a rage that had been slithering below the surface exploding. “
I do not care anymore!
You broke my rules, Ms. Starling. Again and again, you broke them, flaunted them! You put myself, my clients, everything at risk! Do you understand what a contract means? Did you even
read
it?”

I had no response, his anger had stolen my voice.

Seth came forward, and so help me, I shrank. He ripped the mask from my fingers, throwing it at a far wall. “I don't need you coming back here, I don't
want
you coming back. Do you hear me?”

Tiny, explosive bursts of sound left my lips. He was terrifying, but as I let him rant, my own fury was cresting. Who was he to tell me I was wrong? He'd coerced me into misbehaving!

With his hot words, dark promises and quick fingers...

Seth had led me astray from the start.

“Your rules are pointless,” I said. “What we were doing down there... what we had...” My knuckles went white. “Just because you suddenly realized that I was Opal, you want to end it?”

Still as a pond, his words were a gritty whisper. “Suddenly? You think I only just found out?”

I faltered. “Of course.” Lifting my foot, I tilted it sideways. “You saw the bandage, wasn't that how you knew?”

His hand came up, as if he'd strike me, but he only ruffled his hair. “Do you think I'm so stupid? I knew you were Opal from the very first night!”

Was I sinking into the floor? Nothing was stable anymore. My voice was far away. “I don't understand.”

“Cameras,” he spat, pointing around the room. “I have security cameras set up to protect me from thieves.” His eyes flashed. “I never expected to catch something else.”

Slowly, my head moved side to side. The small, black lenses were nearly invisible until he pointed them out. Cold shame burned my body upwards from the root.

He knew from day one.

I went to speak, then had to start over when only dry air escaped. “Then why.”
He knew all along.
“Why kick me out now?”

“I told you. You didn't follow my rules.”

“But—why
now?
I'd been breaking the rules each time I went down there!”

Seth stood tall, his broad chest flexing through the open front of his shirt. “You forced my hand. I told you not to go to the auction. I
don't
...
like
...” Each word was punctuated. “Having my hand forced.”

He made a fist, and I surprised myself by stepping forward. His eyes flickered, shocked as well. “I know what you like. You liked dominating me, you liked making me beg and cry and scream!” I moved again, and when he didn't back down, we came chest to chest. “You,
Master Onyx,
like to fuck with people's heads until they don't even know how to feel anymore!”

He looked down his nose at me, lip curling in a feral display. I was breathing heavily, fighting back the tears of anger and unfairness that clawed at my eyes.

Seth asked, “Are you trying to upset me?”

The look in his eyes was carving into my center. Strings of scalding passion, born from our frustration, our confusing needs, yanked us closer. When he leaned down, just a hair, I inhaled.

His eyes widened, mimicking the tension—the sudden rush—that had infected me.

How had we gotten here?

“If I upset you,” I whispered, “What will you do? Punish me?”

Knotting his eyebrows, he scowled. “You'd like that, wouldn't you?” Seth brought his gloved fingers near my cheek, and my small gasp gave me away. “Yes,” he chuckled. “You want me to make you pay.”

Do I want that?

His suggestion stoked the wicked, corrupt part of me. The twisted thing he'd helped grow. Seth had become such a natural at working my body, heating me up until my pussy was dripping beyond belief.

He stared me down, his sneer firm and solid. I licked my lips, trying to come up with an answer that would prove I wasn't so weak.

So... desperate.

I never found one.

His lips crashed onto mine, sealing away my pitiful denial. Tangling my hair up, he crushed me to him, bending me towards the floor. It was something out of a movie, if movies would ever dare play a perverse story like ours.

He's finally kissing me.

The thought was a distant prickle.

But he also kicked me out.

His tongue curled, dominating mine, pushing it down as he grazed me with his teeth. I'd fantasized that his lips would feel wonderful, but I'd been wrong.

They were so much more than that.

Wrapping my hands around his shoulders, I started to kiss him back, but Seth wouldn't have it. Trapping my wrists, he forced them behind me, leaving me at his mercy. A frail whimper bubbled up.

Breaking the kiss, Seth ensured there was a gap between us. Pathetically, I tried to reach him, but he just laughed and pulled me away. “You're wrong,” he said flatly. “You
ache
to be punished. What a predictable girl.”