Chapter 27
Zane’s words have me grinning like a fool.
I didn’t mean to upset him. Well, that’s not entirely true because I did want him to punish me. But I never intended to leave him. The thought is laughable. Why would I ever leave the one person who sees all of me, even the fucked-up parts, and doesn’t run away?
I just wanted a little chase and then the glorious punishment I knew would follow.
“I really am sorry, Zane,” I whisper. “I don’t want to leave you.”
His expression softens as he works the key into the handcuffs. The metal clicks open, and his thumb rubs soothing circles where the metal bit against my flesh. “I believe you. Besides, if you ever escaped, I’d find you. You’re mine, remember?”
I love hearing that. The desire, the possession that comes so naturally to him.
Zane leans down, his lips finding mine in a kiss that’s so different from the demanding, borderline feral kiss from earlier.
It’s sweet and tender, in contrast with how my body aches in the most delicious way from his punishment.
When we break apart, I look down at the words on my skin and smile.
“PROPERTY OF ZANE,” “NAUGHTY,” “DESPERATE,” “SLUT,” “DIRTY WHORE,” “PATHETIC,” “BAD PET,” “FREAK,” “PSYCHO.” They’re degrading, humiliating, but coming from Zane, they feel like understanding.
I’m his so completely, so irrevocably that he can mark me as his property, and I’ll cherish it.
My stomach growls, distracting me from my thoughts.
“Did you not eat your dinner?” Zane questions.
“I did, but that was hours ago now. I’d already been sleeping when you got home, and it’s the middle of the night.”
“You did have quite the night. Why don’t we get you cleaned up and then we can get a snack?”
I grin up at him. “Thank you.”
He helps me off the bed, and my legs are still a bit shaky. Once we get into the bathroom, I catch my reflection. I look thoroughly and completely claimed. A human canvas of his ownership, covered in black marker. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
He wets a washcloth and rubs it together with soap before bringing it over to start rubbing the words against my chest.
“Wait, stop, what are you doing?”
“I was going to clean you up,” Zane explains, confusion lacing his tone.
“Don’t you dare,” I snap. “I want to keep them as long as possible. Let them fade on their own.”
A slow, predatory smile spreads across his face. “You really are fucked up, hmm? It’s sexy as hell, Little Psycho.”
Zane puts down the washcloth and helps me into a robe. It’s huge on me, and I love being swaddled in something that smells like him. He puts on a similar one and leads me out into the bedroom by my shoulders. “Put your slippers on. You’re coming downstairs with me.”
I whip my neck around, shocked. “I am?”
“Yes. Unless there’s a reason I shouldn’t trust you?” He raises a brow, smirking at me.
“No, I promise. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just surprised, I guess.”
His eyes hold mine, and I see the shift in them.
The last remnants of his fear from tonight are being replaced by the dark, possessive confidence I love so much.
“Good. Because after the way you proved your loyalty, I’m starting to think you might actually be worth the risk of prison.
” He winks, and my heart does a little flip.
I slip my feet into the plush slippers he left out for me, and he takes my hand, leading me out of the bedroom and down the stairs. It’s the first time I’ve been out of his room so freely, and the feeling is heady.
The kitchen is outdated, a standard 2000s look that aged quickly with linoleum countertops and oak wood cabinets.
“What are you in the mood for, Pet?” he asks, his voice a low rumble. “Sweet or savory?”
“Surprise me,” I answer, hopping up onto one of the barstools at the island. The movement pulls the robe tight against my back, and I can feel the ghost of him spanking me as I sit.
He opens the freezer. “Ice cream?”
“Fuck yes, it’s been so long since I’ve had any.”
He chuckles. “I’d bet.”
“I can’t believe you gave me a dry protein bar when there was ice cream here the whole time. You’ve been keeping it all to yourself.”
“Guilty.” Zane laughs as he scoops chocolate chip cookie dough into a bowl. “Can I feed you?”
I nod as he sits on top of the counter so he’s above me. He scoops the first bite and holds it out to me. The cold, sweet ice cream is exactly what I need after tonight. It’s comforting, especially with Zane holding the spoon.
“How’s the brewery?” I ask between mouthfuls. “Everything going okay?”
“It’s fine. Busy with getting ready to open soon, but honestly, it’s the last thing on my mind right now.”
I pause mid-bite. “Because of me?”
His gaze is intense as he considers his response. “Yes.”
“What are you thinking about?” I push.
“Mostly, I’ve been worried about how to kill you without going to jail.”
“Psh.” I brush him off. “You were never going to kill me, Zane. Be for real.”
“I would have if you weren’t some deranged little psycho who turned this into a fucked-up fantasy I don’t think I can live without now.”
Holy shit. Can’t live without me? That’s some Romeo and Juliet shit right there.
He’s basically telling me he loves me. I bite my lip to stop myself from blurting out any declarations myself.
We’ve made such amazing progress in our time together, but I don’t want to push him if he isn’t ready to admit his true feelings for me just yet.
“I’m just so thankful it was you who hit me with your car and not some creepy old man who wanted to wear my skin.” I laugh, knowing how much worse this could’ve been instead of winding up in my hot waiter’s basement. Good thing I failed at stalking him, and that he wasn’t actually in the Mafia.
“Instead of all the sex shop purchases, I should’ve put lotion in a basket and told you to put it on just to get your reaction.” Zane bursts out laughing, but I shiver at the thought.
“God, then I would’ve wished I were dead.”
“Instead, you made me realize the last thing I’d want is to kill you.
” The words come out quickly, but instead of it feeling like a lie the way it normally does when he quickly responds, it feels like an admission of the truth, and if his wide-eyed expression is anything to go by, he’s nearly as shocked by it as I am.
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist me all along,” I tease.
I want to ask if he really is my boyfriend.
I was the one who said it to the police officer earlier tonight, but he didn’t correct me.
He also didn’t say anything about it though, so I don’t want him to feel pressured to agree because I didn’t turn him in.
He scoops the last bit of ice cream into my mouth, and while I finish swallowing it down, he puts the bowl in the dishwasher. “Come on, Pet. Time for bed. It’s been a long night, and I’ve got an early morning planned with Grant to go grocery shopping.”
He leads me back upstairs to the bathroom to brush our teeth before crawling into bed.
I slide in beside him. Piet is in his dog bed in the corner, and Zane wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me back against his chest until we’re spooned together. His soft cock is against my ass, and his arm is a heavy, reassuring weight across me.
“Zane?” I whisper into the darkness.
“Hmm?” he hums.
“Thank you for everything. For seeing me and understanding what I need. The way you take care of me. Punish me. Treat me. For believing in me.”
He’s quiet for a moment, and I can feel his breath against my neck. “Of course, Mason.”
He snuggles me even closer. I close my eyes, letting out a contented sigh as he presses a kiss to the top of my head.
I smile into the darkness because for the first time since I’ve been in this house, I know I’m not just here because I’m his captive. Now it’s because I’m his, and he’s mine.