His to play with

Cathleen's pulse hammered, a frenzied drumbeat in her temples as the click of each cuff echoed through the room. Bound. Immobilized on the bench, her body splayed open, vulnerable. Xavier's hands were meticulous, ensuring no slack in the chains, no hope of escape. Flashbacks to that club scene invaded her thoughts—the woman cuffed and spanked, pleasure contorting her face. That girl had reveled in it. Cathleen? She braced for humiliation.

"Damn," Xavier murmured, circling like a predator. "You are sexy like this, Cat." His voice was laced with a smug satisfaction that made her skin crawl. "Perfectly fucking presented... just for me."

His hand glided down her spine; involuntarily, she shivered. The metal links clicked—a mocking chorus to her unease. "Pleasing sight, seeing you displayed, Cat."

She rolled her eyes, a silent protest. Control your breaths, she coached herself. Don't let him see you flinch.

A sudden touch jolted her—his hand on her ass. The thin fabric of her underwear mig