The Game (15 page)

Chastity’s mouth was parched, filled with cotton. “Bathroom?” she squeaked. Tatiana pointed to a silky white partition. “Behind the screen. Do you need my help?”

Chastity responded with a shake of her head. Cautiously she tried her legs. It took a moment to gather her strength, to move on her own. At first she took baby steps, one and then another until she disappeared beyond the three-part hinged screen and through the bathroom entrance, shutting the door.

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“You’ll feel better after a bath.” Chastity heard the woman’s muffled voice through the door. “I bet you haven’t eaten.” There was a sharp rap on the metal barrier. “I’ll see to breakfast while you bathe.”

Then the outer door slid closed, leaving Chastity alone again with her thoughts. Toiletries taken care of, she drifted back into the main room. A crashing sense of dismay hit her as she looked at the rumpled sheets. Memories bombarded her. She blinked her eyes, fighting back tears as she willed herself to forget about Seth, forget about restoring what they once had.

Chastity inhaled a ragged breath. A bath awaited.

Cautiously, she dipped a toe into the water. It was perfect, not too hot, not too cold, as if it had just been prepared. Rubbing her sore wrists, she slipped into the bubbly water that percolated like a boiling teapot. Warmth encompassed her, pulling her deeper, magically working to loosen tight muscles. She relaxed and allowed the movement of the water to cleanse her of the night’s trials. When Chastity was sure her skin was pruning she stepped from the tub. Dripping on the wood floor, she ignored the door as it slid open. “Tatiana, can you please hand me a towel?” A fluffy towel was draped over her shoulders. She snuggled into the warmth. “Thank you.”

Briskly she dried herself. “What has the Master designated I wear today?” She bent at the waist, winding the towel around her wet hair, and threw her head back, rejuvenated from the bath.

A dark voice rose from the silence, “Nothing… You look lovely as you are.”

Startled, Chastity spun on her heels, meeting the devouring stare of Dawson, the contemptible man from orientation. Hungry eyes devoured the site of her naked breasts, sending a shiver up her spine. Briefly she faltered, then threw one arm across her chest, the other futilely attempted to cover her mons. A sardonic laugh slipped from his thin lips. He took a step forward. “You mustn’t hide your treasures from me. After the auction you will be mine to do with as I wish, at least for a night.”

There was something about this man that made every hair on her body scream with warning. The man was dangerous, it oozed from his pores. Frantically, she searched for something to cover her nakedness, the wrap atop her head forgotten in her turmoil. As if he read her thoughts, he moved to the stack of towels next to the sink. With slow, drawn-out strokes his large hand caressed them, teased her.

Her mouth went dry. There was nothing close to grab, not a robe or even a blanket, not without putting herself into the man’s reach.

Where was Tatiana? Where was Seth?

Bottomless dark eyes gleamed with laughter, feeding off her fear. The more panicked she became, the more aroused he appeared. Chest rising and falling rapidly, 81

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his long, pointy tongue licked his lips, while his cock pushed against its restraints. He reached down to adjust himself. When her eyes inadvertently followed his hand he growled his delight, giving his erection a caress.

Somehow Chastity had to take control of the situation. A deep, calming breath filled her lungs. She squared her shoulders pulling an indifferent mask across her face. “What do you want?”

Uncertainty flashed across his face, distorted his features, and then as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.

A heavy brow rose. His sardonic smile deepened. “Mmmm.” Another step drew him closer. “Your Master has not broken you.”

It took all the fortitude Chastity had to remain still, to not run. She didn’t want this man near her, much less touching her. But she couldn’t show him fear, couldn’t give him what he wanted.

Her defiance fueled him to take another step, and then another, until he stood before her. His expression hardened.

“I look forward to snuffing out your fire—” he licked his index finger then pinched it to his thumb, releasing it quickly, “—like the flame of a candle. Sssssss,” he hissed. A tremor shook her body. He began to chuckle, stopping abruptly when she hid her trembling through laughter. She tossed back her head and the wrap securing her hair released, sending wet curls tumbling down her shoulders. She caught the towel in midair, bringing it against her as she casually stepped back, putting distance between them.

“Oh my, Mr. Dawson, you have such a delightful sense of humor.” The stunned look on his face gave her encouragement. “I can assure you that my participation in the auction is doubtful. You see—”

Dawson lunged.

It happened so quickly, Chastity didn’t have the opportunity to defend herself. Cruel hands burned into her skin as he yanked her to his chest. Arms pinned beneath his, she struggled, but it was useless.

She was trapped.

One beefy arm secured her, while the other hand grabbed a fistful of hair, jerking her head back. Malice spewed from his eyes. “Bitch, don’t think to
ever
laugh at me.”

The hot breath fanning her face made her nauseated. Her stomach churned, pitched.

“I’ll have you.” Dawson licked a path up her cheek. “In fact, there is nothing to stop me from tasting you now.” His mouth crushed hers in a cruel assault. Her jaw clenched, refusing his tongue entrance. He countered by wrapping his fingers around her throat and squeezing.

Chastity’s mouth opened on a gasp. The invasion was swift as his tongue plunged deeply, choking her. She gagged at the continued pressure around her neck. 82

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Lights dimmed. The roar in her head grew quiet as she began to slip into her safe zone, into death. If not for her mother, it wouldn’t matter. The swish of the door sliding open and heavy footsteps approaching didn’t faze Chastity’s journey to safety, but Tatiana’s scream did.

Dawson released her. She stumbled and fell to her hands and knees, gasping. Out of the slowly clearing haze she saw the shadow of a man. Seth? No, it was the imposing Viking. Shawn.

The man pinned Dawson with a glare. His furrowed brows and penetrating green eyes spoke louder than his words. “Poaching, Master Dawson, is not acceptable. You will leave now and never return to this bungalow.”

An airy laugh met Shawn’s scorn. Unaffected, Dawson turned and with a swipe of his foot, pulled Chastity’s hands from beneath her. With a surprised grunt she crumpled in a heap on the floor.

Shawn moved so quickly it was as if he flew across the room. This time it was Dawson who found himself in a stranglehold. Nose to nose, Shawn’s whisper was almost inaudible, “Touch her again and I’ll kill you.” If his controlled, confident demeanor had not convinced Dawson, then the man’s steely tone should have. Chastity had no doubt that the large man meant every word. Released, Dawson sucked in a hungry breath. Red-faced and seething, he flashed Chastity a look that said, “This isn’t over,” before he pivoted and stomped out the door. The thought that Dawson would concede defeat had never entered her mind. Dawson was a man who got what he wanted. For some unknown reason he had fixed his desire on her.

Maybe desire was the wrong word. Perhaps it wasn’t even her he was after. It wouldn’t be the first time that a man tried to thwart Seth through her. Seth’s notoriety was a magnet, provoking envy wherever he went.

Anger welled inside Chastity. It seemed that Seth was at the root of almost all her trials.

Tatiana ran to her side. Thankfully, the woman reached for the towel on the floor and draped it over Chastity before helping her to her feet. A series of tremors assaulted her. Tears burned her eyes, at remembering how close she had come to being violated. Tatiana’s supportive arms folded around her. In a small voice, Chastity murmured, “Thank you.” Then she acknowledged her rescuer, repeating the same words of appreciation. “Thank you.”

A silent nod was the big man’s response. Without comment, Shawn turned and disappeared before she could say more.

Chastity’s laugh was scratchy. “I believe that was the first time I’ve ever heard the Viking speak.”

Tatiana guided Chastity to a chair. “Master Shawn is a man of little words. It’s amazing isn’t it? Those brothers are as different as day and night.”

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Chastity sat, tucking her feet beneath her as her hands stroked rapidly up and down her arms, trying to warm the chills that refused to go away. “Brothers?”

Retrieving a blanket from the bed, Tatiana wrapped it around Chastity. “You didn’t know? Master Tor, Terrance and Shawn are brothers. Tor is the well-spoken one and the leader, Terrance is a man of action and Shawn is the still waters.”

Well, Chastity didn’t know if she would’ve described them in such a way, but the revelation was indeed astonishing. It frustrated her that she hadn’t noticed the similarities before now. She prided herself on being observant. But how was a woman supposed to pay attention to others with a man like Seth constantly around?

As though her thoughts had conjured him forth, Seth walked into the room.

Unbelievable
. It was eleven in the morning. He had given orders that she be dressed and ready when he returned from his business meeting. But here she sat draped in a blanket as if she had just risen.

The bondage demonstration they were scheduled to attend started at eleven-thirty. Because of her disobedience they would be late. Frustrated, he tugged at his tie, and the scrap of silk disengaged.

Lack of sleep, hours of roaming the grounds last night, and the fact that his business meeting hadn’t gone well, had turned his mood sour. The last thing he wanted was to argue with Chastity.

To make it worse, the detective he had hired to investigate Chastity had been useless. Something just didn’t smell right. Chastity and this game show just didn’t quite match up. Clearly she didn’t want to be here. And if it wasn’t for adventure, then it had to be the money.

But why? He knew she didn’t need the money. Josh had become affluent working as his manager.

It was true that one could squander a lot of money in two years, but so much that Chastity had to degrade herself? Seth had thought more of his cousin, of Chastity. And where were Josh’s records regarding Chastity’s security profile? There hadn’t been time for Josh to steal anything. In fact, that betrayer had never stepped foot into his building again. Seth had personally made sure of that. In a temper he removed his jacket, throwing it and the tie across the bed, and then he paused, looking at the rumpled linens where he had lain with her. The memories of the night assailed him.

He had fucked her mouth. Then they had made love, shared their bodies. He had held her and inadvertently confessed his love, an unbearable weakness that had disgusted him. To console himself he had misused her body. Used her like a whore. 84

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Suddenly his inward anger burst free. He turned on Tatiana. “She was to be dressed and ready upon my return.” He plucked at the neck of his dress shirt and the adhesive released, baring his chest.

Tatiana’s head bowed. “Please forgive me, Master Seth, but—”

He held a palm out. “I want no excuses.”

Seth had received enough excuses from the detective this morning. It seemed for the past two years Chastity had vanished off the face of the earth. There were no traces of her working. No paper path to where she had resided. Even her financials had been wiped clean. Nothing. As if she had ceased to exist.

Josh, it appeared, had gone on with his life. Still, there were holes in his whereabouts that made Seth uncomfortable. The one thing Seth knew for sure was that Chastity had not stayed with his cousin. Josh, the little fool, had even made several attempts throughout the two years to get back into Seth’s good graces. Josh’s denial of anything intimate going on between him and Chastity had fallen on deaf ears.

Chastity and Josh had betrayed him. He could not forget their deception. The dark-haired woman interrupted his tattered thoughts. “But—”

Before she could give some flimsy excuse he pointed to the door. “Get out.”

As the door closed behind the insubordinate slave, he turned his attention to Chastity. “Why aren’t you dressed?”
Better yet, why aren’t you in my bed, legs spread wide,
awaiting me?

God, how he wanted to once again take his emotions out on her body. Make her submit to him. Prove that he was stronger, that the feelings he felt for her last night were fleeting. A huge mistake, simply due to being caught up in the moment. With a swipe of his hand he tore the blanket off her. Chastity cringed, drawing her legs up and hugging her knees close to her chest. She looked so small, so threatened. Speechless at her vulnerability, he stood like a damn statue, blanket swaying in his hand.

Then he saw the red, angry marks that marred her slender neck. When he reached for her she flinched. Cold to the touch, she trembled beneath his palm. Had he hurt her last night? Was she frightened of him?

Damn that blindfold. Chastity’s eyes were the windows to her soul. Her eyes laughed, they cried. You knew where you stood with her by the emotions she openly displayed. Or was it all a lie? He certainly hadn’t known she would run out on him that day two years ago.

Fuck
. His plan was to draw her to him, not push her further away. The contempt he felt for himself was immense. The rage he felt toward her was inconceivable. Still, he hadn’t wanted to hurt or frighten her.

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Chastity’s stomach growled and he wondered when she had eaten last. He knew she hadn’t on the transport. And he hadn’t seen her eat since they’d arrived on Zygoman. “Are you hungry?”

Swollen eyes brimming with emotion stared at him.

Had she been crying?

Seth released her and ran a hand through his hair. “Dammit, Chastity. Are you hungry?”