Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
HEATHER
Hector sat in a maroon-cushioned chair in the corner of the room at Radiant, leaning back and watching me carefully. His eyes were even darker than usual under the dim light, his stubble peppered with gray. “Take off your shirt for me.”
As if there were people watching us, I looked around the room. We were alone in one of the private glass rooms, but nerves still pricked at my stomach. Hector had seen me naked countless times, but now, he was asking me to strip for him!
How was this going to make me feel better about myself? He had been mumbling something like that since we d snuck out of the office together without Dad noticing. And yet every time I d asked him, he d just kept on saying that I d see.
But I wasn’t seeing anything!
“Take. Off. Your. Shirt.”
After swallowing hard, I unbuttoned the first button on my shirt. Then the next. And the next. “Wouldn’t you rather take my clothes off for me?” I asked because I felt anything but sexy, fumbling with the buttons.
“No.”
Once I popped off the last button, the shirt slipped down my shoulders. It dropped at my feet, leaving me standing in my skirt, shoes, and lacy bra.
I reached around my body to unclip my bra next, but Hector said, “No.”
“You don’t want me to strip for you?” I asked.
“Hand me the shirt.”
I picked up the shirt from the ground and gave it to him, but before I could release my hand, he wrapped his hand around mine.
“Now,” he said, voice quieter and softer than it usually was, “tell me what you love about yourself.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“Tell me what you love about yourself.”
I opened and closed my mouth a handful of times, nothing coming out. What did I love about myself? Why was he asking me this now-when I felt the least bit sexy, stripping for him in a completely silent room?!
“Heather,” he said, “now.”
The first word that came to my mouth was nothing , but I kept my lips sealed.
“I …” I started, heart pounding. “I like the way I look after I shower in the morning.”
He released my hand and laid the shirt on his lap. “Next piece.”
Is he going to make me do this with every piece of clothing?!
Once I tugged off the next piece of clothing, I handed it to him and stayed quiet, desperately trying to rake my brain for something that I liked about myself, something that I was proud of, or something that made me smile.
But … I came up with nothing.
“Heather,” Hector warned, his hand wrapping around mine once more, “tell me.”
I like I started, trailing off. I like how I can be myself around my friends.
He held my hand tightly for another moment, as if he wasn’t going to accept that as an answer, and then he finally released my hand and nodded for me to continue. I unclipped one of my heels and stepped out of it.
He extended his hand, as if waiting for me to give him a single shoe.
Do I have to compliment myself for each shoe? I whispered.
“Yes.”
I pressed my lips together and handed him the shoe. Tears welled up in my eyes as his fingers touched mine, and I opened my mouth, but no words came out because I had nothing left to say about myself.
“I love that you’re hardworking,” Hector said for me, taking the shoe.
My lips quivered as I reached for my left heel. I handed it to him.
He set the pair of shoes on the ground near his feet. I love how bold you are.
Tears trembled in my eyes. I stared at him, expecting him to follow up with, But your brother is so much more hardworking than you, But your brother has done so many more bold things than you have … but the words never came out of his mouth.
“Please continue,” he said softly.
With trembling fingers, I shimmied out of my skirt and handed it to him.
“I love your drive to be successful.”
“Why aren’t you saying anything about my body?” I whispered, hating that his words were bringing tears to my eyes and making me feel things that I never had before.
If he complimented the way I looked, I wouldn’t feel so … emotional right now.
My looks were the only thing I had that my brother didn t.
“Because you’re worth more than just your beauty.”
Tears stung my eyes. “Please don’t make me take off any more.”
He held out his hand. “Take off your pantyhose for me.”
Throat closing up, I peeled off my pantyhose and folded them in my hands, not wanting to give them to him because I didn t want to listen to another compliment. All I had wanted when I signed up for this was to learn how to be a submissive. I hadn t expected all these emotions.
“Hand them to me,” he said.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m scared,” I whispered.
He held out his hand. “Give them to me, Heather.”
After staring at him for a couple of moments, I whimpered softly, holding back a sob, and handed him the pantyhose. I stared at the ground, feeling so bare-and not just because I was almost naked in front of him.
Terror ran through my body. What is he going to say this time?
Once he took them from me, he gently lifted my chin and made me look him directly in the eyes. His gaze was soft and, dare I say, safer than I had ever seen it. He smiled and drew his thumb across my chin.
You re fucking vibrant, Heather. Approachable. Respectful. Eager. He pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist to pull me close, his lips hovering over mine and his warm breath fanning my face. You re sympathetic and tender, fond and curious.
My lips quivered, and I almost burst out into tears before he placed his lips on mine.
“And best of all, you’re mine.”