Chapter 3
Cassie
“Is that a threat?” I sneered at him, upping my game even as wave after wave of fear trickled down my spine.
However terrified I was, I had to get through this.
No, I would do this. I wanted him to show his hand, to allow me to see once again the evil man buried inside of him.
That would make what I was about to do easier on my mind.
And my soul.
He stood oh-so slowly, moving away from the coffee table and taking enough steps toward me I almost lost my nerve.
“I never make threats, Dahlia. I don’t have to. However, you are required to follow rules. You defied me, which is unacceptable. You’ll need to be punished for your infractions, including tossing the drink in my face. Undress.”
I could tell his patience was wearing thin, his desire greater than his need to toy with me.
There was no getting around what I’d be forced to do.
Still, I wanted to push his limits as far as I could, making me hate him even more.
I couldn’t stand the thought of my conscience coming back to haunt me.
“I don’t think so.”
He tilted his head, his jaw clenching. As his chest rose and fell, his dazzling eyes flashed.
Then he set the thick base of the glass down on the coffee table with a solid thud.
“I don’t think you fully understand. This isn’t a request but a command.
Undress. You’re going to be punished for your insolence. ”
“You must be out of your mind.” I took long strides around the couch, heading for the door.
His actions were swift as he moved so quickly toward me that I was shocked.
He fisted my hair, yanking me away from the door.
Before I had a chance to reach inside the bodice of my corset, retrieving the weapon I’d planned to use, he dragged me against his chest, his hold firm.
He gripped my chin and neck with his other massive hand, digging his fingers into my skin. “You’re a very naughty girl, aren’t you, Dahlia? You need strict discipline in your life. Only then will you understand your place.”
There it was. The crux of the Wild Boys and their attitude, their disregard for human decency.
They were sons of prominent citizens; mafia leaders, corporate moguls, high-ranking politicians.
All had been provided a very special education at an exclusive university, one catering to the most influential people in the world.
The location and its curriculum were secret.
Anyone who offered even a hint of what the college taught in their classes disappeared.
I shoved my hand against his chest, pushing with all my muscle. The man didn’t budge. “Let me go.”
“You will obey me. As I said, you won’t like what happens if you do not. You’re a beautiful girl, Dahlia. I will make you rich, but that comes with a price. If you don’t obey…”
The end to his sentence was implied but the wretched thoughts alone sent a shiver down my spine.
I wanted to call him an asshole, but the look in his eyes was a reminder of how much danger I was in.
“I don’t take kindly to anyone attempting to infiltrate my regime. I think you can understand that. If you truly long for continued employment, then you will endure the punishment you justly deserve. If not, then you and I are going to have problems. Your choice.”
He lowered his head even more, brushing his lips across mine. His scent became intoxicating within seconds, my heart fluttering. I could easily hate the man even though I was attracted to him. That alone strengthened my resolve.
When he captured my mouth, fireworks exploded in my brain. My pussy ached within a few seconds, the longing for the horrible man sweltering within me pissing me off more than anything had so far. I refused to be attracted to him. Damn it. He was the enemy. He was the devil.
As he thrust his tongue into my mouth, I continued fighting him, pummeling both hands against his chest. There was no way to reach my vial, no possibility of ending this right here. You can do this. You can endure anything the bastard doles out.
I only hoped that was true.
As the kiss continued, he took his time exploring my mouth as he dominated my tongue. The moment of intimacy was passionate, his slight growls an indication of just how aroused he’d become. I was thrown by the strange connection building between us.
Then he broke the passionate embrace, pushing me away and wiping his mouth. He said nothing, simply returning to his seat, his anticipation I would obey him creating another wave of anger. “Do not make me tell you again.”
With no way of getting out of the room, and no chance I could overcome him until the moment was perfect, I closed my eyes briefly, challenging Dahlia to return to her vow.
One of seduction.
One of acceptance.
One of retaliation.
I unzipped the corset, refusing to turn around as I slowly pulled it all the way down my back.
“I want to watch. Turn around.”
His command was little more than a guttural sound that vibrated to the depths of my being.
I did as he asked, struggling to keep my resolve.
As I shimmied to lower the thick ribbed material, he dragged his tongue across his lips, his nostrils flaring.
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from moaning as I tugged on the tight material, sliding it down, then over my hips.
The one-piece outfit had been custom made, the body-hugging fit comforting.
When I’d finally managed to remove it, I placed the costume over the arm of one of the chairs.
Then I made certain the corset was within reach.
My legs shaking, I moved in front of him once again, standing several feet away from the table.
I refused to allow him to be able to touch me easily.
The bastard needed to want this more than he’d craved anything in a long time. I wouldn’t have another opportunity to get this close.
This wasn’t me. I was a good girl and had been all my life. The studious one. Straight-A student who worked in soup kitchens and took care of stray animals. Playing the femme fatale had seemed easy. Now I wasn’t so certain.
“Please. Keep your boots on,” he growled, polishing off the remainder of his drink. After placing the glass down in a methodical fashion this time, he beckoned me with a single finger.
I moved closer, the coffee table the only thing between us.
He took a deep breath, holding it in his lungs.
Then he stood, which created another wave of quivers skating down my spine.
I remained exactly where I was, trying to act as if his dangerous persona didn’t bother me in the least. He took his time, moving around the table.
His hot breath cascaded across my shoulders, sending prickles dancing down both arms. He wrapped his fingers around my wrist, pulling me further away, brushing the tips of his fingers down the length of my arm.
When he finally stopped in front of me, his heated gaze shifted all the way down to my boots then back, the smile on his face turning into another look of lust.
“You are absolutely perfect for my clients, yet you refuse to allow any man to touch you. I wonder why that is.”
“As I told Paul and now, I’m telling you. Again. I’m here to dance and nothing more. I was very clear about that.”
“And I believe my manager was very clear in what was expected of all my girls upon being hired. You accepted the offer, which implied you were willing to be a team player.”
“Team player? For something sordid?”
Who the hell was he kidding? At least his words were venomous, boosting my drive.
“My customers have varied tastes, Dahlia. That includes partaking in aspects of BDSM. That is what is in your contract that you signed willingly. I expect both my employees and my customers to follow my rules.”
I’d heard the other girls talking, their stories allowing me to fully comprehend what this man was capable of. There was no way I was getting out of this.
“Interesting, you aren’t denying it. Good girl.” He closed the distance, sliding his finger around my lips then across the seam, taking his time to brush the tip along my jawline then down the side of my neck, moving ever so slowly to the cleft between my breasts.
His touch was electrifying, creating a wave of heat between my legs.
I was mortified as my nipples became fully aroused, which the man noticed instantly.
After taking a deep breath, he swirled his index finger around my taut bud several times before flicking it back and forth.
The sensations were dazzling, but I acted nonchalant, looking away from him.
His breathing ragged, he slowly shifted his hand to my other breast, repeating the action.
What I hadn’t expected was the exciting slice of pain as he pinched my nipple between his thumb and forefinger.
My instant reaction was a slight moan, and his expression indicated he was delighted at my reaction.
“Did you know that providing pain is a true artform?”
“Why should I?”
“You did mention that you researched where you would be working. Is that not true?”
I clenched my jaw as the pain became biting, disgusted as the heat continued to build between my legs.
The fragrance of my feminine wiles wafted between us, and the bastard licked his lips.
I clenched both hands into fists, ready and eager to pop him in the face, but I held back. The moment had to be perfect.
When I took a deep breath, his cologne filtered into my core once again, tingling every nerve ending.
Fury rolled inside of me, pushing a jolt of adrenaline through my system.
I knew several of the dancers were enamored by him, their infatuation allowing them to endure whatever was asked of them.
I had found it hard to believe, at least until now.