Chapter 5

“Which way will Daniel be?” I asked when Edward and Jake both looked to me. There was no way I was going to stick around and let them ogle me or make any more moves.

“I’ll show you,” Jake said, motioning for me to follow him. I tried not to show my relief as I let him lead me down several corridors, deeper into the building. He remained silent, letting me look around. Not a single soul lingered anywhere I could see, all the other women gone from the room they’d lounged in before.

Near the back and up a small flight of stairs was a large room. One end was decked out like an office, a desk with several chairs at it. Bookshelves lined the wall behind the desk, and a large screen showing stats and schedules was fixed to the desk’s left.

The other end of the room featured several low sofas and a cushioned mattress. It was the epitome of comfort.

Daniel sat at the desk, another crystal device in his hands.

The second he saw me, he looked up and grinned.

“Thank you, Jake. You can go back to your usual duties with Edward now.” Daniel’s eyes never left me as he dismissed his bodyguard.

I tried to meet his intense look, hearing rather than seeing Jake as he hurried away, his boots clomping on the wooden floor.

“Yaru done with you, then?” Daniel finally said. I nodded, frantically trying to think of something to say, anything that would stop the way his eyes moved over my body. I wanted to shudder, aware of what he might be thinking as he looked me over.

Like a cat stalking towards its prey, he slowly walked closer.

“Thank you,” I said as he came close enough to take my hand in his. “For approving my idea.”

“There aren’t many new courtesans who are willing to incur so much extra debt just to make an impression. I was right when I picked you out,” he replied, his gaze following his fingers as they traced up my hand and past my wrist.

I couldn’t help it, I shivered, feeling a rush of heat between my legs. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had looked at me this way. For years I’d been more and more trapped inside myself, unable to satisfy any kind of desire.

The pent-up need I’d felt was now awake, begging to be satisfied.

But I knew I should hate this man. He’d bought me.

He also healed you, my brain reminded me. Daniel was both my saviour and my captor. And Yaru told you to act like an equal and make sure others treated you like one.

It was time to figure out how to get Daniel to treat me with respect. For that I needed to know what motivated him — what he was trying to achieve.

“Yaru said you wanted to see me. He implied we had business to discuss,” I said, keeping my voice soft and my eyes covered by my lashes. I also moved a little closer, making it clear I was cooperating with his advances. For now he could seduce me. If I wasn’t to be screwed until my unveiling, this could only go so far.

Daniel let out a chuckle and stopped stroking my arm.

“Business, of a sort. Until you earn me some actual money, there’s only one thing you’re good for.”

Our eyes met and I saw the amusement there. He was toying with me, making it clear he knew what I was trying to do, but he’d given me information. Money mattered to him. Did anything else?

“Yaru can't teach you everything you need to know to earn back your debt,” he said as he tightened his grip around my wrist.

“But you can?” I quipped, stepping closer, letting my body touch his. In response he tightened the grip on me even further, the pressure bordering on painful. Breaking our eye contact, he pulled me towards the other end of the room, aiming for the pile of soft-looking cushions.

I didn't resist, my mind already trying to imagine what might happen next. A part of me was so eager, hungry for his hands to run over my body, a sensation I'd not been able to feel in a long time. The rest of me was scared. How rough would he be? What did he expect me to do for him?

As suddenly as he'd started moving me to the more comfortable end of the room he stopped, pulling my body in close again.

A smug grin flickered across his face.

“Clothes off,” he commanded.

I raised my eyebrows, freezing as he stepped back to get a good look. I'd expected us to tumble onto the makeshift bed and make out for a while. My mind struggled to catch up and shift gear. No part of me wanted the focus. I'd never been particularly comfortable taking my clothes off in front of other men, preferring them to do it for me in the heat of the moment.

“Come on. If you're going to wear almost nothing but paint, you need to be comfortable naked.”

I nodded, my emotions mixed. He was right, but that didn't mean I liked it.

After taking a deep breath I reached for the hem of my top and yanked it upwards.

“Slower,” Daniel said, almost growling the word. I paused before obeying, feeling his eyes on me as I uncovered myself bit by bit.

I focused on not showing how uncomfortable I felt. I didn’t know this man, and here I was, stripping for him.

Better get used to it, I thought.

By the time my top was lying on the ground, Daniel had come closer again, his eyes roving appreciatively over my bare torso. The pleased look in his eyes helped give me a confidence I hadn’t yet felt. Studying his reaction, I unzipped my jeans and slid them agonisingly slowly over my hips.

His eyes followed my fingers, his mouth parting as I revealed my underwear, black lace the only thing between him and the rest of me.

I let the jeans fall to the floor, stepping towards him and out of them at the same time. He reached for my waist, the touch of his fingers almost electric on my skin.

As I slipped my thumbs under the lace, intending to finish the job, he took hold of my wrists and stopped me.

“No. That part of you stays covered. Until you’re unveiled, I won’t have you compromised.”

I raised my eyebrows, but obeyed, relaxing in his grip to show him I wouldn’t do otherwise.

Taking his time, he came closer and pulled my body in towards him at the same time. His eyes fixed on my lips as he bent his neck down just enough to press his mouth against mine.

A moan escaped me, my body flushing with heat and desire.

He chuckled as he nuzzled his cheek against mine, kissing my skin as he moved lower.

“No need to act that eager,” he said as he reached my neck. “You want your customers to believe it.”

“I wasn’t faking it,” I replied without thinking. It earned me a second amused snicker.

As one hand snaked around my back to pull me closer, his other reached for my breast, cupping it. This time I managed to keep myself from moaning, instead returning his kisses.

His skin had a hint of salt and his smell filled my senses, going to my head. When his fingers brushed across my nipple I groaned involuntarily again.

“That’s more appropriate,” he said, his voice even, calm still.

I kissed him again, deciding in that moment I didn’t want it to be. If he was going to make me lose control of my responses, I wanted to do the same to him.

I swung my hips a little closer, brushing myself up against his groin. I watched his eyes widen before he buried his head in my neck, now sucking and nibbling my skin, although still gentle enough not to hurt.

Trying not to grow too impatient and make my intentions obvious, I repeated the motion a little slower than before. This time I was rewarded by the hardness that resisted my movement past.

The next time, I paused, keeping myself held up against him.

I thought I made out a muffled moan of his own, but he quickly masked it by pinching my nipple. I winced, surprised at the sudden roughness.

“Men who pay for you won’t necessarily care if what they do hurts,” he said. “You’re going to have to get used to a little pain. Make sure they think you’re enjoying it.

Why, I thought, but didn’t say. Surely they wouldn’t mind a little coaxing into how to do it properly. But a part of me knew he was right. Some men wouldn’t care even if some did.

The important question now was, did Daniel care? Did he want me to enjoy this, or was this just good business? I was worried it was the latter, but I hoped it was the former.

Continuing to kiss me and stroke me, he teased me for several more minutes, until his hand shifted to my arm. He tugged it downwards as the hand behind my back reached to my shoulder and did the same.

“On your knees,” he said. I tried to hide my surprise at the sudden command, but I did as I was bid, sinking downwards, my eyes looking up at his. Letting go of me, his hand cupped my chin, tilting my head upwards.

He ran his thumb across my lower lip, his eyes following the motion.

“Open.” He kept my head in position as I heard his zipper. For a moment I considered refusing.

Could I refuse? What would he do if I tried to say no? Would he respect it? I pushed the questions aside, more than a little curious. This wasn’t getting him to treat me like an equal, but I didn’t know how to make that happen. Not yet.

While he watched, I slowly parted my lips, tilting my head back a little farther, my chin still caught in his strong grip.

His eyes lit up, almost gloating, focused on mine as he brought his erection closer. I saw the corners of his mouth tug upwards, smug as he pushed himself into my mouth.

My first instinct was to bite down and make him pay for what he’d done, but I resisted. How would that help me?

Instead I used my tongue to pleasure him, keeping my eyes devoid of any real emotion. At first he merely watched, almost gloating over my submission, but his breathing soon increased as I teased him, giving him just enough stimulation to keep him hard but wanting.

His grip on my chin tightened as his eyes grew less focused. Despite my position and appearances, I was the one in control now and I revelled in it, stilling with him inside my mouth when he grew too eager, refusing him the end he so desperately wanted.

Time seemed to fade into the background, my focus solely on his breathing and the tremble in his body as I slid him deeper into my mouth.

After what felt like both an age and no time at all, I couldn’t hold him on the brink any longer. He let out a long low moan as he hit the peak of the orgasm, jetting hot salty liquid down my throat.

I had no choice but to swallow or choke, his hand reflexively pulling him farther into me, until he stilled, spent.

Panting, he pulled away and let go of me. I didn’t move except to close my mouth again, not hiding my smug satisfaction. Our eyes met again, both of us studying each other.

I wondered if he was waiting for me to talk or move, so I kept still and waited. I knew what I’d done had been more than satisfactory.

“Seems you’ve already had some practice in pleasing a man,” he said.

And then suddenly that grin was back. I had a feeling I was going to come to fear that smile. The way it suggested he’d had an idea. That now he was back in control.

“Let’s see what your stamina is like. Do it again.”

More than a little surprised he was capable of going again so soon, my eyes widened, but when I looked towards his groin, he was hard once more. This time he didn’t hold me still, only stepping forward, bringing his manhood closer.

Again I considered protesting, denying him what he wanted, but my body seemed to react of its own accord, my mouth opening as he pushed his tip against it.

By the time I’d finished pleasuring him a second time my tongue hurt and I was eager for him to be done. His hands had woven into my hair at some point, holding me still as he pumped more of his seed down my throat.

“That wasn’t as good,” he said as he let go of me. This time he walked away, pulling his trousers back in place and zipping them up.

“Could have fooled me,” I quipped back without thinking. He’d lost control again, moaning even louder as he’d orgasmed.

“Don’t get smart with me. If I was a client, it would be your job to make it right, not debate.” His tone came out far cooler. I closed my mouth over my next retort, watching him as he fetched a glass and poured water into it from a jug.

As he came back to me, he offered a hand to help me to my feet.

“Drink,” he said. “You need to take care of yourself too.”

I took the glass, surprised at the sudden concern but willing to make the most of it. I’d also never been a particular fan of the taste of spunk. Washing it away with a large drink was a welcome request.

He watched me as I downed the water, his look approving, like a father with a naughty child.

“Good.” He took the glass and returned it to the tray beside the jug. Coming back to me, I noticed he had a hint of a swagger that hadn’t been there before. Once more, I tried to think of the best way to act and talk to earn his respect, but nothing would come out and I just stood there, studied by him.

Taking a deep breath, he slipped an arm around my back again and pulled me close.

“You really are beautiful. It’s almost a shame that you need to go out tomorrow and begin your introduction cycle. I could easily spend several days solid screwing you.”

“You’re assuming I’d want to if I didn’t have to,” I replied, not thinking.

He laughed, thankfully seeming unoffended.

“Then maybe it’s a good thing that you need to keep me happy.” With a flick of his arms, he took me by surprise, spinning my body and knocking me over in the same move.

I landed on the mass of soft cushions, my pride alone injured. Before I could do more than lift my head, he was behind and on top of me.

“And what if I don’t want to keep you happy?” I asked, looking back over my shoulder at him.

“I can’t make you. And I won’t… Directly. But there are ways I can make you… suffer. Make your debt grow. Make you wish you had an easier life.”

“So you’re blackmailing me into pleasing you?”

“Only if you’re going to try and say no,” he said, well aware there wasn’t much difference. “Are you?”

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

What was I going to do? This man evidently wanted me. And I was more than a little turned on by him. He was attractive, and I’d missed the contact and intimacy. But he was also manipulative and looking out for himself. Could I handle that?

“No, I’ll cooperate,” I said, eventually.

“Good,” he replied, grinning before one hand deftly yanked my knickers down while the other reached under me to grab a breast again.

“I thought I wasn’t meant to be having sex before my unveiling,” I said, automatically trying to wriggle away. He lowered his weight even farther, pinning me beneath him as he laughed at me again.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “There’s plenty of ways I can enjoy you that don’t involve your pussy.”

I gulped but tried to relax. This could either be an enjoyable night, or a long one, but I knew, either way, it would be the first of many like it.