Four Strikes
Chapter
My body is burning up. I shift in the bed, my bare skin slipping across the silk sheets as I stretch. My palm lands on something warm and hard. I slowly open my eyes to Tobias' distinct profile, eyes closed, head on the pillow. The other side of the bed dips. Preston groans and his arm wraps around my waist before he tugs me flush against his warm body.
"Good morning, sweet Ella." He gently kisses my cheek and my nipples instantly tighten. I swallow as I move underneath the sheets. His hand creeps over my hip and down, down, down. My pulse quickens. I turn towards him and every inch of his warm skin bleeds into mine. The sun shines through the sheer curtains, illuminating his rugged silhouette. "So pretty, Ella," he whispers just before his mouth dips down to my breast, his hot lips closing around my peaked nipple.
I throw my head back on the pillow and lace my fingers through Preston's hair as he bites down on my nipple. Tobias stirs beside me, stretching and then I feel soft kisses being peppered along my spine. Before I can react, Tobias fists my hair and yanks my head back, forcing my face away from Preston and toward him. "You wouldn't dare play without me, now would you, little lamb?" He leans down and nips at my neck.
Preston on my breast, Tobias at my throat, their hands roaming in a wickedly sensual dance all over my naked body.
Every touch ignites a fire, wild and ravaging, inside me. I feel feral and tempting when the two of them are on me like this. There's a primitive tension, a haunting electricity buzzing through the air. I am no one to anyone except them. I have no obligations, no concerns. I have nothing but them and this. The two devils at my side taunting me with the pretty flames of hell, and all I want is to burn with them. To be owned by them, for what else do I have? Nothing. They are now my only reality, and as fucked up as that is, it's beautifully freeing.
Tobias continues to kiss down my back, over my ass, and then he grabs my cheeks and spreads them apart, blowing a hot breath across my asshole. I bite down on my lip. I want him to lick it because it's filthy and I want to be their dirty little toy. Preston works his way down my stomach, trailing his tongue over my heated skin. He sinks lower as Tobias spreads my cheeks farther apart, breathing a long breath over my asshole. The warmth of Preston's tongue flicks over my clit and I moan. Tobias' teases me with staggered breaths. A groan here, a moan there. Preston lifts my leg, placing it on his shoulder before he gives my pussy one long lick. "You taste so sweet, sweet Ella." He kisses my clit before fucking me with his tongue, hard and fast.
Tobias' grip on my ass cheeks tightens and he groans. "Such a pretty, tight little asshole," he whispers. His nose brushes my cheek and my body tenses. "This is mine. No one else's, not even Preston's," he says before he licks over my ass, circling his tongue. My back bows from the sensation and my fingers tangle in Preston's thick hair.
"Ella," Preston says. I glance between my thighs at him, his lip rolling over my clit. "Do you like to be dirty, Ella?"
"She wants to be filthy," Tobias says before he licks me again. I wiggle between their two hard bodies. "Squirm, little lamb." He laughs against my ass. "Squirm."
I fist at Preston's hair, forcing his face against my pussy as I slowly grind over his mouth. Tobias' fingers dig into my flesh before he moves away from my ass, crawling up behind me. His heated breath blows across my neck, but I'm lost in the way Preston's mouth is caressing me, the prickling tension that's building with each lick of his tongue.
"Ella," Tobias whispers before he nips at my ear. "I want you to come. Make her come, Preston."
Tobias pinches my nipple between his thick fingers, twisting and turning. I throw my head back, spreading my legs wider as I tug at Preston's hair. The course stubble on his jaw brushes against me as I frantically grind over his face, the sensation driving me mad. I moan. He licks and sucks. Tobias kisses over my breasts, his hands skimming my waist as his hot skin presses against my back. "Come, little lamb. Come on his tongue."
Heat slowly paints its way over me and I fall over the cliff, blissfully unaware of anything but the two of them. A violent wave of endorphins rushes through me like a hit of herion, and Preston continues to suck on my clit. When I can't manage one more touch, I shove his head away, my arms falling limply at my sides as I catch my breath.
I feel Preston move away from me, and I open my eyes to see both he and Tobias, naked and leaning over me, watching me, studying me. Always studying me.
"You were so good last night, Ella," Tobias says, smiling proudly as he brushes a fingertip over my cheek.
"You were perfect," Preston says.
"And as a reward, we want to give you something you want." Tobias pauses, his green eyes setting on me. "What do you want, little lamb?"
I could say so many things. I should say so many things, but the depraved little being that's clawing its way out from inside me wants what she wants. I allow my gaze to drift back and forth between Tobias and Preston, my eyes roaming over their naked bodies—their hard cocks standing at attention. I remember how filthy and hot it was to watch them suck on each other, to see them lose themselves last night. Something about a man who is that free with his sexuality surprisingly serves as the greatest aphrodisiac, and not even that, but the fact that, at this moment, I can tell them to touch each other, suck each other, fuck each other—that power over two men as dominant and beautiful as them, I'm certain that's a high unlike any other. Sex and power. Power and sex and dirty little games...
Tobias glances at Preston, smirking before he looks back at me. Without a word, Tobias grabs Preston's hand and places it on his cock. "Is this what you want, hmm?" He forces Preston's hand up and down over the length of his dick. "Do you want to see two men together?"
"Yes..." I whisper, my heart hammering against my ribs as I watch Tobias grab Preston's jaw and drag him against him. Their lips connect, tongues clashing against each other. Preston's free hand grabs at Tobias' head in a desperate bid to bring him closer. The way their hard chests press against each other, the way the sunlight bounces from their taut muscles bunching and flexing—it's unlike anything I've ever seen. There is a feeling to this, a tension, a want, a need, primal and passionate. And dare I say, it is beautiful, the masculinity of it all. Tobias fists Preston's cock on a groan. Preston hisses in a breath.
Tobias' green eyes cut over to me as Preston's lips work their way down Tobias' throat. His eyes never move from mine as Preston makes his way down his chest and stomach, down to his cock. My breath catches when the thick head of Tobias' dick disappears inside Preston's mouth. Preston looks up at me as he sucks away at his cock.
Tobias moans, his fingers grabbing at Preston's thick blond hair. "Do you want him to suck me, or do you want me to fuck him in the ass, Ella? Your call", he says on a deep-seated groan.
I bite at my lip, sitting up in the bed. "I want you to fuck him," I say.
"Very well." Tobias shoves Preston's mouth away from his cock and fists it as he lays back onto the pillow.
Preston places his palms and knees on the mattress, a satisfied smirk plastered on his face. With his free hand Tobias pats the top of his thigh. "Come here, little lamb," he says, "I need you to make it wet." Before I can react, he grabs my arm and yanks me down. Sitting up, he grabs me by the waist and sets me in his lap, his strong arms wrapping around me like a snake. His face is right in front of me, his eyes locked with mine. "Make it wet," he whispers, sliding his cock back and forth underneath me. "Put me inside you, Ella."
With one movement, I slide him inside of me. The warmth of him stretching me causes my eyes to slam shut.
"So fucking wet, Ella, does it turn you on to see my cock in his mouth?
I grind over him, my breasts brushing against his chest. He feels so right. So good. So—
"Fuck you feel so good," he whispers against my neck, burying his head into my shoulder as his grip tightens around my back. "I just want to...fuck—your pussy is just right." In one swift movement, he flips me onto my back, slamming into me over and over. "
I feel the heat building, as I'm tiptoeing toward that edge, he pulls out and turns around. Quickly, I prop myself up with my hands, watching as he crawls across the bed toward Preston.
Tobias slaps his hand over Preston's ass, the resounding clap echoing around the room. "Give me that tight asshole," Tobias says in a growl, grabbing Preston's ass cheeks and spreading them apart. Tobias glances over his shoulder at me, the sunlight catching in the green of his eyes. "Is this what you want, Ella? Watch it."
Tobias sinks his thumb into Preston's ass and Preston hangs his head on a heavy breath, the slightest bow forming in the middle of his back. "Tell me you want my cock, Preston."
"Fuck," Preston groans as Tobias pulls his thumb out and slides two fingers inside.
"Fucking tell me, Preston."
Preston sits up on his knees, reaches behind him, grabs Tobias' cock, and shoves it toward his ass, backing up on it. "You want to fuck me, Tobias?" There's a taunting undertone to Preston's voice. "I said, do you want fuck me?"
Tobias reaches up, wrapping his hand around Preston's thick throat as he drags his body to his. Preston's back is against Tobias' hard chest, both their shoulders rising in ragged swells. "Beg me," Tobias growls before he nips at Preston's ear.
"I'm not fucking begging you." I watch as Preston shoves Tobias' cock inside him. "You'll fuck me regardless." A short-lived grimmace flickers across his face and Tobias' entire body seems to relax as his eyes slowly close on a groan. Tobias' fingers spread out on Preston's throat, inching toward his jaw before he drags his face to his in a desperate kiss. Preston reaches up, wrapping his arm around Tobias' neck.
I swallow, watching each movement, listening to each hard breath, each moan, completely lost within the sight of these two men giving into each other. Tobias pulls back before thrusting deep and hard into Preston. "Fuck," he says through clenched teeth as he pauses.
Preston fists his own dick, frantically stroking over it. "Fuck me harder," Preston whispers, the pleading tone to his voice sending chill bumps scattering across my naked flesh.
Tobias bites on his bottom lip as he drags his eyes open, his sultry gaze locking on me. "Do you like this, little lamb?" He leans down and runs his tongue along the side of Preston's throat, all the while his eyes still glued to mine. "Do you like to watch me fuck him?"
Preston's now looking at me, watching me watch them. My nipples tighten and the pull between my thighs is nearly unbearable. I'm hot and desperate. All I want to do is touch them. My eyes trail over their bodies, their hard muscles and tanned skin, but it's their expressions that really get me. The absolute lust, pleasure, the want so evident on their faces—that's what makes me come unhinged and I find myself crawling across the bed toward them. The slightest smirk flickers across Tobias' face. "Want to play, little lamb?" he asks.
"Yes, come play with us, sweet Ella," Preston unwinds his arm from around Tobias' neck and reaches for me, his other hand still stroking his cock. His hand is so warm on my skin. "Come here."
Tobias shifts, stretching out his legs as he sits down with Preston now in his lap. Preston tugs at me and I follow his pull, straddling his lap and slowly lowering myself onto his cock. With each of Tobias' thrusts, Preston pushes into me. Tobias' hands reach around us both and he fists my hair, pulling my head to the side. Preston's warm lips skirt over my neck, his hand slowly circling around my throat. "This is perfect, Ella. We're perfect together."
I close my eyes, giving into the two men toying with me. Tobias tugs on my hair, Preston's fingers twitch over my throat. Tobias fucks Preston hard, pushing his body up and forcing Preston's dick so far inside me. Preston's hands fall to my shoulder, his fingers digging into my skin. Tobias' movements grow more feral more animalistic and, in turn, Preston begins thrusting into me harder, deeper.
"Watch him come, Ella," Tobias says with a growl, and I open my eyes.
Preston's head is tossed back against Tobias' shoulder and Tobias' gaze is locked on me, his jaw clenching. I watch as Preston's lips part, his hands gripping my shoulders so tight as he bucks up, groaning and swearing, and then, I can't help myself, that warmth spreads throughout my body, a sensual tingle of tainted lust and pleasure electrifying every last inch of my skin, spotting my vision. I hear Tobias groan and he's falling back on the bed, dragging both me and Preston down with him. And here the three of us lay, naked and breathless, tangled together in the most forbidden of circumstances. Taboo and tainted.
"Could you be more perfect, little lamb?" Tobias pants.
I lie, catching my breath with both men trailing their fingers over me, staring at me, making me feel like I'm their entire world. Like I am theirs.
And the bad thing is, I want to be theirs.
WHAT DO THEY DO HERE?
Chapter
The car turns off the interstate, curving around the hairpin turn as we weave between the old city buildings, most of them with broken windows. Signs are faded. The shredded pieces of billboards flop in the breeze. The streets are lined with rusted cars, dented and smashed. The car bumps over pothole after pothole, my nerves rattling with each sudden jolt.
Tobias stares through the window, his face completely flat. Preston looks at me and smiles. "It's okay, sweet Ella. We won't let you get hurt."
The car rolls to a stop not far from a homeless shelter. Preston opens the door and steps out, giving me his hand to help me out. Tobias follows behind me and closes the door, instructing the driver to wait here. I want to ask where we are going, but rules...
Preston holds out his arm and I take it. Tobias pulls a cigarette from his pocket and lights it. The sweet scent of sage drifts over to me when the thick cloud of smoke rolls from his lips. "The world is full of people," Tobias says. "Some are important, other's are not." We stop in front of an alley, the smell of urine and garbage heavy in the air. Tobias' hand wraps around the back of my neck and his thumb strokes in gentle circles against my skin.
"Do you know why we're here, little lamb?" Tobias asks. I shake my head and Preston lets out a low chuckle.
"This is game number four, sweet Ella." He slowly steps in front of me. One hand is thrust deep into the pocket of his slacks, and when he moves his suit jacket parts, revealing the perfectly fitted shirt underneath. A smile pulls at his lips, making my heart beat faster in both excitement and fear. "I ask you this, what do you think your life is worth, sweet Ella?"
What is my life worth? It's a question I don't want to answer, because the truth is: it's worth nothing."Words, Ella, use words," Tobias says, his tone bristling with impatience.
"I don't know," I whisper and he frowns.
"Tsk-tsk." Tobias shakes his head. "If you don't know it's worth, it must be menial." A slow smirk works its way across his lips.
"Nothing," I whisper.
Preston brushes his fingers along the side of my neck. "You're worth nothing to anyone but us."
The words hit me hard, but I somehow manage to keep my expression void of any feelings.
"If it weren't for us," Tobias says, "would you even want to go on living? I know you thought about jumping last night. Did you wonder what it would be like to not exist, to not worry about how pitiful you actually are?"
"Yes," I answer honestly. I did. My life is nothing more than a twisted pile of rubble, unwanted and ugly. This is all I have, they are all I have. How pitiful have I become to find salvation in men such as these. And worse, I want them. I need them and slowly, bit by bit, piece by piece, I'm losing myself to that. I'm finding it harder and harder to convince myself that this is wrong. As the days go by, I'm losing my grasp on reality, on the fact that this is a game. It's all just a sick game.
"I'm so glad you didn't jump," Preston says before kissing my cheek. "I like having you to play with."
Tobias laughs. "My pitiful little lamb, she wanted to throw herself on the altar, Preston. Sacrifice her meaningless existence, but she didn't. Ella, why didn't you jump?"
"Because you had us?" Preston asks.
"Because you had salvation?" Tobias says.
"I didn't want to die," I say on a hoarse whisper. It's pathetic really, the way that basic survival instinct pushes you to live, to go on even with nothing to go on for.
"But where you ever really living, Ella?" Tobias grabs my chin and forces me to look into those swirling green eyes of his. "I mean, really. You went to your dull little job making barely over sixty thousand a year. You were with a guy who fucked around on you—"
"Lots of people do that," I say, struggling to speak with his hand clamped around my jaw. Lots of people work jobs they don't like and have boyfriends who treat them like shit. I doesn't make me a bad person. It just means....what? It means that I'm pathetic, one of life's statistical averages.
He smiles and a deep laugh works its way up his throat. "Yes, lots of people merely exist." His eyes flare with that word. "There are plenty of inferior people."
Preston smirks and sweeps his hand over my collarbone. "You don't want to be inferior, sweet Ella, you really are too beautiful for that."
My pulse slowly picks up it's pace as both Tobias and Preston circle around me like vultures.
Tobias inhales on his cigarette. "You are too perfect for all that," he whispers, smoke billowing from his mouth. "And you taste much too sweet to be treated like waste. A diamond in the rough, my little lamb, that is what you are."
"You deserve more. You deserve to be superior," Preston says, stepping close to me. "You deserve to be like us, sweet Ella," he breathes the words against my throat before kissing it, nipping at my sensitive flesh. Tobias trails his fingers over my arm and, for a moment, I forget were standing in a filthy alleyway. I forget everything around me is desolate and ugly because all I can see is them. All I hear is them telling me I'm better. Superior. Telling me that I am worthy of them, of their affection, their desire, their respect. Beautiful lies that I want so badly to believe.
"Do you belive you deserve more, Ella?" Tobias asks, stepping away from me. I glance over him in his tailored suit, his blue silk tie.
"Answer him, Ella. Do you deserve better, or were we mistaken in believing you could be something of worth?" Preston steps back to stand beside Tobias. Two men, powerful and certain, animals—predators, and I am their prey.
My throat tightens and I can't find words. I open my mouth to speak. "Careful, little lamb. Don't lie. I'd hate to give you another strike," Tobias warns.
So I answer truthfully: "No...but I want to."
A deep frown inches its way over Tobias' face and Preston disapprovingly shakes his head. "I thought she was better than this," Tobias says under his breath, and my chest goes tight.
"She just needs work." Preston pats Tobias on the back. "She wants to be special."
On a deep inhale, Tobias pulls the cigarette to his lips and takes a drag. The way his lips wrap around the end of the cigarette, the way the smoke rolls from his mouth—it all seems too perfect. Everything about him seems planned and poised, rehearsed, like he's never unprepared, always anticipating. "Sweet, little lamb, if I had a heart, I do believe you may break it."
"Don't give up yet, Tobias," Preston says. "We still have three more days to save her."
Tobias nods, his eyes flicking up to mine as he tosses the cigarette to the ground. I want him to want me, to be proud and—what the hell am I saying? I swallow, my nerves bunching in my stomach. "Shall we play then?" he asks, turning to start down the alleyway.
Preston holds out his hand and I take it. He pulls me close to his side, his fingers skimming down my cheek. A small smile touches his lips before he leans in and kisses me. His warm tongue sweeps across my bottom lip, making my heart race. He moves away and leads me into the shadow of the alleyway. The darkness engulfs us and I hesitate as a shiver works down my spine.
"Walk with me, Ella," Preston demands. I do, until he stops at the end of the alley. I can barely make him out, his broad frame nothing more than a murky silhouette. "Game four," he says.
Something wraps around my ankle and I scream. An arm snakes around my waist, and I panic before a hand slams over my mouth, yanking me back against a firm chest. "Now, now, little lamb. You'll scare our friend here," Tobias' voice is a low whisper beside my ear. My heart pounds against my ribs and my breaths come in short pants, blowing across his fingers clamped over my lips. He pulls me to the side, keeping a firm grip on my waist as he slowly slips his hand away from my mouth.
A bright light flickers on. Preston holds out his phone, shining the flashlight toward the ground. There's a piece of cardboard leaning against the wall and beneath it, is a man. I can just make out the top of his head and his outstretched hand reaching toward me. His dark hair is matted to his head and he grins at me through a thick beard. Most of his teeth are missing and the ones that remain are blackened.
"Pretty, pretty..." He mumbles over and over again. "Smells like sunshine," he sings.
"He is a heroin addict," Tobias says, disdain heavy in his voice. "He chose to be inferior, and much like you—before us, of course—he has nothing. But he'll have no savior to pull him from the wreckage of his wretched life, unless..." Tobias' gaze strays over to me. "Do you want to save him, little lamb?"
I glance down at the man crouched against the building. He's filthy. He smells of piss and booze. Scabs cover his face, and pity drowns me.
"Ella," Preston whispers, "look at him. Look how disgusting he is." The words don't even seem to bother the man. He laughs and picks at one of his festering scabs.
Tobias exhales as he casts his judgemental gaze back toward the man. "He is what I refer to as a drain. A leech. An inferior. Worthless."
"He has no family. No friends," Preston whispers.
"Just like you, little lamb, he has no one," Tobias says.
"But, Tobias...Ella has us."
Tobias grins. "So, she has us and he has nothing." A deep laugh rumbles from Tobias' throat, booming down the dark and empty alley. He looks back at the hobo. "What do you want," he asks.
"I just need a..." the man swallows, still scratching at his sores, "I just need a little hit, just some money. Just a little hit..."
"See," Tobias says, "not food, or a shelter, clothes, or even a bath. All he wants is his vice. That is all his life is. He is a servant to his own fucking filthy desires. How much more worthless can one become?"
I know what he is saying is mean and cruel, but he says it with such conviction, such certainty that I start to believe him.
"Game number four, sweet Ella," Preston says, trailing his fingers over my throat and between my breasts before brushing over Tobias' arm at my waist. Their eyes lock over my shoulder, and I see something flash through Preston's dark gaze before his lips tip up in that easy smirk.
"This man," Tobias says against my ear, his warm breath tickles my neck, "is a waste of oxygen, a stain on humanity. A sickness."
So cruel, part of me believes he is a monster. A beautiful monster.
"Tell me, Ella," Preston says, "if you found a stray dog on the street and it looked as sick and disgusting as this guy," he shoves the man with his foot but he doesn't seem to notice. "wouldn't you put it out of it's misery?"
"I..." I stare at the man, slowly shaking my head.
"Well?" Tobias prompts.
"I wouldn’t want it to suffer, no."
They both laugh and Tobias gently strokes over my hair. "No, little lamb, you wouldn't."
"So innocent and sweet," Preston purrs.
"But you see," Tobias says with a frown, "the dog is merely a victim of circumstance, a bystander to mother nature. This," he stretches his arm over my shoulder, pointing at the heap of cardboard, "this is self-inflicted."
And my mind stumbles down that dark rabbit hole these two constantly have me tripping along. My stomach kinks and knots. "But he's a person, not a dog. He's sick. He needs help, not your judgment."
Tobias tenses. "Help, yes, Ella he needs help."
Preston pulls a small bag from his pocket and holds it up to the light. There's a tiny bit of white powder inside, and at the sight of it, the man is stumbling to his feet, reaching toward it. Preston, snatches the bag away. "This is all he wants." He places the baggie in my palm. "Give it to him."
"Yes, pretty, pretty," the man clears his throat, excitement cracking his voice. "Give it to me."
I wrinkle my brow, confused at what the trick to this is.
"Or," Tobias pulls a wad of cash from his pocket, flipping through it. "One-hundred, two-hundred, three hundred..." He continues to count out money, but the man's gaze remains anxiously glued to the bag of herion. "One-thousand dollars." Tobias hands the crisp bills to me. "Give him that."
I look at Tobias. "I don't understand."
"What is there to understand, Ella? You give him the drugs or you give him the money."
I glance at both in my hands then over at the man who's leaning against the brick wall, licking his lips. "Why would I give him the drugs?" I ask.
"It's what he wants," Preston says.
"Besides, what is he going to do with a thousand dollars?" Tobias laughs.
Inhaling, I take a step toward the man, clutching the herion tightly. I don't want to give him the drugs. I don't want to give him the money.
"Give him one or the other, or you lose," Tobias says impatiently. "It's not a hard decision, Ella. It's not like I'm putting a gun in your hand and asking you to blow his worthless brains out."
I narrow my gaze at the man. "If I give you this money, what will you do with it?"
"Food and clothes," he says in a rush.
"Would you go to a shelter and get help?"
"Oh, yes. Yes." His eyes well with tears. "I don't want to be like this. I used to be like you..." Hanging his head, he sighs.
Tobias groans and I glance over at him. He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. "Put him out of his misery, just give him the fucking drugs."
"Do what's right, sweet Ella, I believe in you," Preston whispers.
I glance between the three men, my heart banging against my ribs. "Do you promise me you will get help?"
"Yes," the man whispers, his eyes falling to the money fanned out in my hand.
"You believe him?" Tobias asks.
Do I believe this man? No, I don't, but I can hope that he will at least try because I am not giving him drugs. If I give him the money, whatever he does with it is on him. "I don't know," I whisper as I hand him the money. He takes it and the second he does, he begins to cry. "God bless you," he says. "I promise, I'll get help." And he hurries down the alley.
"One thousand dollars won't help him, you know?" Preston says as we walk back toward the waiting car.
Chapter
As soon as the door closes, I want to get out. Tension pours off Tobias and fills the car. I glance nervously at Preston, but his gaze is focused out the window. Neither of them talk to me and I suddenly feel like a scolded child.
Dropping my head forward, I stare at my hands as I anxiously pick at my nails, tearing at the skin until it bleeds. Tobias releases an aggravated sigh, and then his hand covers mine. He drags my hand onto his thigh and holds it there. He's still staring out the window, drumming the fingers of his free hand over the door panel.
"Don't be mad," I whisper. "Please."
"I'm not mad, Ella. Disappointed." He sighs. "Anger is fleeting, disappointment—it marrs you." He glances at me with disgust written all over his face. His disappointment weighs heavy on me, much more than it should. "You made the wrong choice, Ella."
"Don't be so hard on her Tobias, you gave her the choice." Preston brushes his fingers over my leg.
"And she made the wrong one."
Preston's arm comes around my shoulders and he pulls me into his side. This is starting to feel all too familiar: Tobias' disappointment and Preston's warm embrace, ready and waiting to console me.
The car winds through the busy city, and the rest of the drive is ridden in silence. When the car pulls over to the side of the road, Tobias climbs out and holds the door open. Preston nudges me and I slide across the back seat, stepping out of the car. Tobias shuts the door and walks off without a word. Preston takes my hand, his fingers lacing through mine as we follow. Tobias along the crowded New York City sidewalk. And I can't help but think: they couldn't be any more different today. I watch Preston as we walk, taking note of how freely he carries himself, while Tobias walks as though he carries the world—not its weight—but the actual world as his own, on his shoulders.
Preston glances at me from the corner of his eye. "Keep looking at me like that and see what happens, sweet Ella," he warns in a low growl. I swallow and he chuckles, tightening his grip on my fingers. He lifts our clasped hands and brushes his lips over my knuckles, a cocky smirk plastered on his lips.
"Enough flirting, Preston," Tobias groans. I glance up and see him holding open the door to a shop.
Preston drops my hand, maneuvering around a family on the sidewalk as he leads me towards the door. Tobias' eyes lock on Preston, his expression completely unreadable. I hate this. I hate when he's angry. Even Preston's laid back vibes aren't enough to fend off this horrible sense of anxiety.
We're in a clothing boutique, high end with shiny floors and bright lights illuminating expensive dresses. I stare down at my jeans and converse, feeling unworthy of being in the presence of such beautiful garments. Prestons places a finger under my chin and lifts it, forcing my head high. Our eyes lock and he shakes his head infinitesimally. They want me to be worthy, and yet at every turn, my actions are somehow unworthy of their approval. They want me to be something I'm not, and perhaps I want to be something I'm not as well.
Tobias crosses the store and starts talking to a beautiful brunette in a very tight dress. She smiles at him, and I see the desire in her eyes, the lust that thrums through her body. I tense, an uncomfortable feeling tightening my chest.
"She wants him," Preston's lips are right at my ear, the warmth of his body brushing up against my arm. "Do you think he would fuck her, Ella?"
I swallow, clenching my fingers hard enough that my nails bite into my palm. "I...maybe."
His hand comes up and cups my face, twisting it towards him. His dark eyes stare straight at me before dropping to my lips. "Do you want him to fuck her? Maybe you'd like to watch?" I frown and then slowly shake my head, pushing away the images of Tobias and that woman, her tight body wrapped around his, her expensive dress on the floor. "Why not?" He whispers, so close that his lips brush mine. My palm comes to rest against his chest, the red hot heat of him bleeding through the thin material of his shirt.
"Because he's ours," I say quietly. His lips pull up in a smile and he slides his hand into my hair whilst pressing his other forearm into the dip of my back, wrenching me close.
"Ah, sweet Ella. You really are fucking perfect." He kisses me, thrusting his tongue inside my mouth and taking me by surprise. Preston kisses me all the time. So does Tobias, but never in public. In public I'm like their dirty little secret, their pet on a leash.
"Put this on." Preston breaks away from me but doesn't let go as we both look at Tobias now standing to the side of us and holding a garment bag out to me. The two of them stare at each other and I slowly slip from Prestons grip, taking the bag and slipping away. The brunette gestures for me to follow her to the changing room and I gratefully escape. The dress is bright red and the material feels amazing against my bare skin as it slides over my body. It clings to every single one of my curves with a neck-line that plunges well past my breasts.
Sheepishly, I step out of the changing room and into the store. No one else is here but us and I wonder if Tobias demanded privacy. It's not like he can't buy such things.
Preston and Tobias stand shoulder to shoulder, a wall of prime male, staring at me. I fold my arms over my chest, feeling self-conscious as their eyes rake over my body.
"You look beautiful, Ella,' Preston says, that amused smile pulling at his lips, making me feel as though I'm missing out on some joke. "Do you like the dress?" He asks before adding. "Remember, don't lie."
"It's a little revealing," I say.
Tobias says nothing but he doesn't have to. His displeasure reigns over everything, tainting the very air around me. "Tough. You wear what I give you," he says before turning around and walking out of the shop. Preston sighs, glancing at Tobias' retreating back. The shop assistant quickly helps me into a pair of strappy heels, and then Preston is taking my hand again and leading me out of the shop.
Chapter
Dinner. They've brought me to dinner. We sit at table on a balcony over-looking the Soho street below. The night air is cool, but a nearby heater blows a stream of warm air directly at me. We Preston sits beside me, Tobias across from me. Tobias focuses on his menu, ignoring me. Preston's hand rest on my thigh, his fingers gently scratching over my skin in a soothing motion. Isn't this what they always do? Good cop, bad cop? When one is horrible, the other is always there to make me feel as though I'm safe and cared for. And I know It's all an illusion, but I want to pretend it's not, so I allow Preston to be my safe haven, to shelter me from Tobias' storm. I lean closer to Preston until my arm brushes against the soft material of his suit jacket. Tobias notices the move and his eyes snap up, locking on our touching arms before gliding to my face.
I drop my gaze, feeling heat creep into my cheeks. He has this way of making me feel so small and insignificant, and beneath his scrutiny, I find myself reaching for Preston more. My hand lands on his thigh beneath the table and I feel his eyes on my face before he leans back, stretching his arm along the back of my chair.
"He's just being grouchy, sweet Ella," Preston says, amusement in his tone. He leans into my side and presses his lips beneath my ear. My eyes lock with Tobias as Preston's tongue gently swipes over my skin. "Don't worry. I'll protect you from the big bad wolf," he lilts.
I turn my gaze towards him, my eyes dropping to his full lips, pulled up in a smirk. "You're just as much the big bad wolf," I whisper.
His smirk turns into a full blown grin. "Ah, but he bites. I just nip." He winks at me before turning towards the waiter who is now lingering next to the table. Tobias orders before then ordering for me. I glance at him and he cocks a brow as if daring me to argue.
I'm not going to. I'll eat the food he gives me and I'll sit here and play his game, because I want his approval and his disappointment eats away at me. Perhaps this is the game, me wanting them, wanting to please them? Maybe this is all just a warped form of manipulation? If it is, I'm too caught up in it to care. I'm too far down the rabbit hole. Down, down, down and there's no way out, only further in.
Chapter
After dinner I'm lead to the car again and again we sit in silence. I have no idea where we're going or what's coming next, but I know something is coming. This has been too easy, and there's no such thing as easy with them. After all, the game is seven days and each day counts. Each day is it's own twisted form of fucked up.
We come to a stop outside a door, plain black, completely non-descript in every way.
"Open it," Preston tells me. I glance at him and he gives me a small nod. I press down on the handle and the door swings open. The room beyond is completely black, the dim red lights from the hallway doing nothing to cut through the darkness. "Step inside."
My pulse is thrumming, adrenaline pumping already. I'm not scared of the dark, or at least I wasn't before I met Tobias and Preston. Now though, now the dark is so much more than a lack of light, so full of horrible possibilities.
I take a step forward on shaky legs, glancing at him over my shoulder. He steps forward with me, his chest pressing against my back. I instinctively reach for him, wrapping my fingers around his forearm and clutching it across the front of my body. He huffs a low laugh sending warm breath skittering over the back of my neck. The door closes, plunging us into complete darkness. I shiver, my nails digging into Prestons skin. His lips brush across my neck and a shiver dances over my skin. "Don't be scared of the dark, sweet Ella," he purrs, and then he slips away from me, pulling from my grip. I whirl around, looking for him, disorientated. I reach out blindly, but he's gone.
"Preston?" I ask, my voice trembling. There's no response, and I start to panic. I can hear nothing, see nothing. It's complete sensory deprivation. Just when I feel like my lungs are about to burst with the strain of trying to drag in air, a light comes on overhead. I hold my hand up, flinching against the brightness shining straight in my face, blinding me.
"Hello, little lamb." Tobias' voice comes from the darkness beyond the light. "Number three wanted to meet you, but he's a little shy." He laughs. As my eyes adjust to the light I can just make out three shadowy figures beyond the reaches of the light. I can't make out their faces or details. "Say hello."
"H-hello," I say quietly, trying to control my nerves. Tobias and Preston wouldn't let anything happen to me, would they? I'm their little lamb, their sweet Ella. The thing is, for every time they make me feel safe, there's another time when they make me feel completely exposed, utterly vulnerable and cripplingly weak.
"Hello Ella." There's an edge to that voice, something almost familiar and yet completely foreign.
"You will submit to number three the same way you would to us," Preston says. "And remember the rules, sweet Ella. I would hate for you to reach four strikes. We are terribly fond of you."
I swallow heavily and nod.
"Good," Tobias says. 'What would you have of our little lamb, number three?"
There's a beat of silence and I swear they must be able to hear my galloping heart from where they sit. "Strip." One word that has shame and worthlessness crawling over me like insects. But what am I going to do? This is the game I agreed to play, the contract I signed. Theses are the rules and this is how the game is played...with three players.
I close my eyes and my lips part as I suck in a ragged breath. I reach for the zip of my dress, lowering it. And then I slide the straps from my shoulders, allowing the material to fall from my body and pool at my feet. Cold air touches my skin and my bare breasts, making my nipples tighten and peak. I want to cover myself from the burning eyes I can feel touching my flesh.
"Beautiful," number three breathes.
"Isn't she?" Tobias adds. "And her pussy is fucking perfect."
I feel dirty and soiled, reduced to nothing more than an object for their pleasure, but don't they bring me so much pleasure? More than I've ever received from anyone else.
"Let me feel." A horrible feeling twists at my gut with his words. "Close your eyes, and turn around," he instructs. By body acts instinctively, like a slave with no will of it's own. I turn my back on them and close my eyes.
I hear the creak of a chair and then nothing. All the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my body hums in fear and anticipation. I jump when something brushes my neck, and then a single finger trails down my spine. "Spread your legs," he commands in a husky voice.
I hesitate for the slightest second and hear a low growl from further back in the room. Tobias. I slowly widen my stance, the hell of my shoe dragging over the carpet. The fingers trails further down my back, trailing over my arse and making me jerk away. A hand lands on my hip stilling me. "Breathe," he says.
Every muscle pulls tight, waiting but not wanting for once. His touch feels foreign, lacking Prestons teasing or Tobias' brutality.
His fingers slide over my pussy and his breath blows over my shoulder, making me shiver. His finger pushes against my clit, circling, pressing so expertly that I find myself pushing against him, wanting the touch of a complete stranger. Without warning, he presses two fingers inside me and I suck in a sharp breath, pushing up on my tiptoes to escape the intrusion. His fingers dig hard into my hip as he uses it to leverage into me.
"I thought you said she's always ready, Tobias?" He says, his voice low and gruff.
"She is," Tobias says, his voice drifting closer. I feel the air shift and then he grips my jaw hard. "Open your eyes." I open them and with the light behind me, it illuminates Tobias' beautiful face. Green eyes focus on my face, dropping to my lips. He forces my head back and leans in, biting my bottom lip. His free hand goes to my breast and he pinches my nipple, pulling and tugging until I'm nothing but sensation, desperate for his touch. Number three's fingers are still buried inside me and the more Tobias touches me and kisses me, the less intrusive his presence feels. My body starts to crave Tobias, crave a release. The fingers pull out and then thrust back in easily.
"She likes you," the guy says, and a satisfied smirk plays over Tobias' lips.
"Do you like me, little lamb?" He leans in, grazing his teeth across my earlobe. "Do you want me?"
"Yes," I breathe.
He pulls back, grinning. His hand trails down my stomach and the muscles quiver in response as my eyes never leave his. His fingers brush over my clit before they meet three's fingers. "How much can you take, Ella?" He asks.
He presses his finger inside me, stretching me to my maximum with three fingers now buried in my pussy. Tobias gently kisses me. "Good girl." They both start to fuck me and I wobble, clutching onto Tobias' arms for support. "Her ass is even better than her pussy," he says.
"Hmm, is it now?" Three pulls his fingers from inside me and I instantly miss the fullness of it. Tobias slides three fingers inside me, pulling against me until I stagger forward, colliding with his solid chest. Three glides his fingertips over my ass before pressing his finger against my hole. I flinch, my muscles tightening in response.
"Relax, little lamb," Tobias purrs, pressing his thumb against my clit, playing me like a musical instrument, strumming and caressing, pulling a chorus of moans from my lips. He pushes me to the very edge of oblivion and right when I'm there, frantic for that release, Three slides his finger in my ass. I feel violated and liberated all in the same breath. The pressure builds until I feel like I'm going to explode, and then, with a flick of his wrist, Tobias light the fuse that sends my body into a freefall of intense pleasure. A string of moans leave my throat as my body tightens on wave after wave of orgasm. When I finally come down, Tobias is holding me, watching me as though I may fall over at any minute.
"Good girl," he says simply, before carefully stepping away from me. A few seconds later he says, "you can turn around now, Ella." I do, turning to face the bright light again. My head is spinning and my body feels weak and shaky.
"Preston," number three says. "Fuck her."
Chapter
My back hits the carpet as Preston's lips collide with my stomach, kissing hungrily over my skin. He swipes his tongue once over the length of my pussy and my back bows, my body contorting with the pressure. He lets out a low laugh and sinks his teeth into the inside of my thigh.
"Always so fucking responsive, Ella," he breathes.
My fingers instinctively reach for him and I pull the tie from his hair before threading my fingers through the long strands. His eyes travel up the length of my body, locking with mine as he slowly trails his tongue over my clit in lazy circles. My eyes drift shut and I throw my head back as that slow burn starts low in my stomach. He leaves me and I want to cry out in frustration. His lips brush over my chest, neck, jaw, and then he's kissing hungrily down the column of my throat as his cock nudges against my entrance. I roll my hips and grab at his ass, forcing him inside me. My breath hitches just as his teeth snap together in an audible click.
"Fuck, Ella." He feels so good. I want him. I want Tobias. They're mine and I'm their's, and that's how it should be. I don't want three players. Preston's large hand cups my cheek, forcing me to look at him before his lips crash over mine. His kiss is hungry and demanding as he rolls his hips, driving into me. I forget about number three. I focus on Preston, I think of how hungry Tobias' gaze must look right now. I imagine what he's seeing and it turns me on. I bite down on my bottom lip and moan as I roll my nipples between my fingers. I low groan comes from Preston and he fists my hair, gritting his teeth as he thrusts into me so hard he shunts me across the carpet. He slides his forearms under my back, gripping my shoulders so he can fuck me harder. I feel consumed by him, owned and possessed in every way. Suddenly he yanks me upright, cradling me in his lap, my thighs spread either side of his. Our torsos writhe together and the heat from his skin seeps into me. I clutch at his hair, wanting to be as close to him as possible.
His lips crash against mine so hard my teeth break through the skin of my lip and I taste blood in my mouth. His tongue thrusts past my lips and he groans as his hands grip my waist hard enough to bruise.
"Turn around," he murmurs against my mouth.
I lift off him and he spins me around. I fall forward onto my hands and knees, and he's right there, cock in hand, sliding inside me. His thrusts are hard and fast and I have to brace against him. God, the way he fucks, it's like he can't get enough, as though he's trying to imprint himself on me. His arm bands around my waist and then he's wrenching me upright, forcing me to sit down on him as he sits back on his heels.
"Feet on the floor. Spread your legs wide," he commands. I do as he says, almost squatting over his hard dick. His long fingers grip my thighs, wrenching them so far apart that my muscles burn. "Show them your pretty pussy, sweet Ella. Let them watch my dick fucking you." I bite my lips as heat unfurls everywhere. Preston's dirty words, his dick, his hard grip; I love it. And I can feel the eyes of the two men in front of me watching, wanting. They all want me, desire me, and it makes me feel powerful. "Ride my cock," Preston orders, his voice strained. I do. I roll my hips over him, even as my legs go numb with the effort and my pussy clenches around him. I glance towards the two men and as my eyes adjust I can tell which is Tobias and which is the stranger. I focus on Tobias and even though I can't make out his features, I know his eyes are locked on mine.
Preston holds my legs wide open and with every roll of my hips he drives up into me. "Touch yourself, little lamb," Tobias' raspy voice comes from the shadows. I trail my hand down my body and even my own touch is enough to set my skin on fire. Reaching between my legs, I trail my fingertip gently over my clit and suck in a sharp breath. Preston releases his grip on one of my thighs and grabs my hair, wrapping it around his wrist and yanking my head back over his shoulder.
"She feels so fucking good," Preston groans, biting the side of my neck. I reach my arm up and fist his hair, pulling him closer, needing more. His other hand leaves my thigh and bands around my waist, pulling me tight to him. I need this. When Tobias fucks me, he makes me feel owned, possessed in the most erotic of ways. When Preston fucks me, he makes me feel desired, wanted in ways that no one else ever has. Tobias makes me feel like he wants to own me. Preston makes me feel like he wants to love me. The latter is infinitely more dangerous than the first, or is it? I don't even know anymore.
"Look at me, Ella." The command comes from in front of me, from Tobias. I lift my head from Preston's shoulder and Tobias leans forward, just touching the light. His elbows brace against his thighs and shadows dance over the beautiful planes of his face. Our eyes lock, my breaths quicken. His eyes dance with that unbridled power that he wears so well, and I want to bathe in it. I bask in him, crave him like that addict craved that little bag of white powder. My hips roll, riding Preston harder and faster, driven on by Tobias' gaze, chasing the orgasm that his eyes tease from me with a simple look. "Come for me, little lamb," he says, the words like the cracking of a whip. My finger presses harder over my clit and my pussy clenches. Preston groans, sinking his teeth into my shoulder as his fingers grasp my hips, forcing me over him harder. My body starts to tremble as everything starts to tighten, and just as the pleasure rises like a tidal wave, a small smirk plays over Tobias' lips. He sits back, disappearing back into the shadows as the wave breaks over me, making my vision blackout. Preston releases me and I pitch forward onto my hands and knees, only for him to slam into me and fuck me like a rabid animal. My head falls forward between my arms, a string of moans leaving me as he slams into me hard, groaning my name. It's feral and hot. He pulls out of me and I stay where I am for a few seconds, before lifting my head.
Preston's long jean clad lips come into view, his bare feet stopping right in front of me. I hear his zip being fastened and then a pile of red material is dropped right in front of me. He drops to a crouch and strokes my cheek before kissing my lips gently. "Get dressed, sweet Ella."
He stands and walks away. I sit back on my heels and feeling completely exposed under the bright spot light, I quickly slide the dress over my head, allowing the material to pour down my body and cover me. I stumble to my feet, and stay there. I'm not sure what to do next. Preston has slipped back into the darkness and I can feel the weight of three sets of eyes on me.
Tobias stands, swiping his hand through his hair. His stance is rigid, tension beating off him. "You will go home with Three tonight." His tone is clipped and I don't like it.
"I..." I trail off because I can't argue with him. I can't ask him why, so I just glare at him, my nostrils flaring. He's doing this because I disappointed him, I think.
"You don't want to go with him, sweet Ella?" Preston asks.
"No."
"There are a lot of things one must do in life that they do not like. It's called growing a backbone, something you obviously need a hard lesson in."
I grit my teeth and my nails dig into my palms. "I'm sorry I disappointed you."
He nods and walks toward the door. When he opens it, there are two men outside, holding up a black bag between their bodies. Tobias sighs as he steps to the side and allows the men in. "Figured," he huffs under his breath. "Just..." he waves his hand dismissively through the air, "put it over there."
"Oh, Ella..." Preston shakes his head.
I stare at the bag as the men drag it inside and let it fall to the floor with a hard thud. I want to ask what's in the bag, but instead, I pace, wringing my hands.
"You see, little lamb, you see what you've done?" Tobias asks, stepping close to me, lacing his fingers through mine as the two men unzip the bag, turn and leave the room without a word.
I turn to look at Three, but he's gone. I frantically glance around the room, but it's only me and Tobias and Preston and this bag. "Step closer, Ella," Tobias purrs in my ear, tugging on my arm as he leads me toward the bag.
"Oh, Ella..." Preston repeats, a stifled laugh threatening his tone.
"Look at what you did, little lamb."
We step closer and I stare down at the bag, peeled open like a split banana. There, inside, is the man from the alley, eyes glassy and fixed at the ceiling.
"You gave an addict enough money to kill himself. You put the bullet in the gun, cocked it, and handed it to him." Tobias chuckles. "You're a killer, little lamb."
"Welcome to the club, sweet Ella."
"Welcome to the game," Tobias adds with a joyous lilt.
"I didn't kill him. I gave him money, I—"
"Had you not, had you simply given him the one hit of herion that was in that bag, he would still be alive," Tobias says.
"You're too trusting, Ella," Preston whispers, his arm sweeping along my side.
"I..."
"Why did you give him the money?" Tobias asks.
"Because I wanted to help him."
"Did you?" Preston asks before pressing a kiss to my throat, his hot tongue skimming over my skin.
"She wanted to help herself, Preston, don't give her too much credit. You did it because it was easiest, because it made you feel good about yourself." Tobias brings his face inches from mine, his green eyes flickering with a wild edge. "The Good Samaritan." A deep laugh rumbles from his throat and Preston joins in, all the while I'm staring at the twisted face of the dead man in the bag.
"You took a gun..." Tobias says.
"And put in the bullet," Preston whispers, kissing me again.
"Pulled the trigger," Tobias hisses.
"Just waiting for him to fall."
"I..." I go to step back, but Tobias' strong arm acts as a barricade, not allowing me to move away.
"You should have given him the drugs, sweet Ella." Preston brushes a stray tendril of hair behind my ear. "That was the right choice."
"Some people can't be helped." Tobias smirks. "And right or wrong, what does it all truly mean? What is the point when there are vices to both sides."
"Don’t do things to be a good person, Ella, it will only bite you in the ass."
Tobias points to the man. "He used to be a lawyer. A very successful lawyer, he was good at his job. So good his argument, his ability to find loopholes, let a murdering rapist go. A murdering rapist who ended up killing this man's wife."
Preston sighs. "Such a shame. Imagine how hard that must have been to cope with—the knowledge that your stupid decisions, your hunger for money helped aid in the death of your one true love."
Tobias grins. "In a sense, he killed his own wife. Oh, the irony in life, sweet little lamb."
I stare at the man, the man they called worthless, a stain on society and my stomach kinks and knots, acid eats its way up my throat.
"The depression. The guilt. It ate away at him," Preston says.
"Bit by..." Tobias pinches me, "bit. Until he just wanted something to make it go away."
"Much like you on that bridge last night," Preston says, "didn't you just want it all to go away?"
"Had you not had us, wouldn't you have just wanted to be put out of your misery?" Tobias' hands creep around my waist and then he spins me around, tugging me against him. "Did you judge him, little lamb? Did you believe he was inferior?"
My mind races because what is the right answer here? Is there ever a right answer with these two. My pulse skips and jumps, my mind reeling because I interfered. I stepped in, I pulled the lever when I had no business being involved at all. I'm playing this game because...because I have nothing else. Tobias and Preston, the money—it is my vice. It is my drug, my addiction, my high that I will do nearly anything for. Tobias' grip on my waist tightens and he inches his face closer to mine.
"Better yet, do you believe..." I lift my gaze to his, his murky eyes dancing with thrill and excitement, "do you believe you are superior. Can you be above the petty moral constructs of right and wrong?"
"Ella," I hear Preston whisper, but I'm so entranced by the haunting look swirling in Tobias' eyes, I can't pull my gaze away. "Ella," Preston says again, "can you do it? Can you be like us?"
My eyes drift to the door, to the body, to Tobias, adrenaline scorching through my veins. I wish I could walk away, but—I exhale. I can't. This. Them. Everything about it, shamefully makes me feel more alive than I ever have. It's twisted and fucked up, but on some level, it's almost like a spiritual awakening, and I don't want to leave this behind—I can't.
"Be superior, little lamb," Tobias breathes against my mouth before his warm tongue skirts over my lips. His fingers dig into my waist as he pulls me into him, his hard bulge pressing against me.
"Tell us you are." Preston nips at my neck, his hand skirting along the curve of my ass.
"Tell us you are better than everyone else," Tobias whispers before biting my lip.
"I want to..." I trail off, leaning into Preston's touch, into Tobias' hold. Drunk on them, on the tension, the control, the fear that beats away at me. It's as though a drunken bliss surrounds them and at every turn, with each breath I drag in, I become more intoxicated, needing. With each second that passes with them, I feel that they own a little more of my soul. And I want them to. I want them to own me, the deepest, darkest parts of me. I long to be unhinged with them.
"Say it, little lamb," Tobias coos as he trails his soft fingertips over my cheek. "Own it. And we'll own you."
"I am superior," I whisper, a buzz of excitement snapping through me.
Tobias kisses me, followed by Preston. And just as Preston's warm lips are leaving mine, Tobias grabs my chin, forcefully tilting my head back. "You are superior to everyone except us."
My breath catches in my throat and he drops my chin, staring at me with a slight smirk. Tobias glances at Preston and I watch the silent conversation dancing in their eyes. Preston faces me, smiling. "I'll miss you, sweet Ella," he says as he turns and walks to the door.
"Yes, we'll miss you," Tobias says, inhaling as his eyes drag over me. "You'll be a good little lamb, won't you?" He pulls a black cloth from his pocket and folds it over itself several times. "Turn around."
I hesitate for only a moment before his hands are on my shoulders, spinning me away from him. He slips the black material over my eyes, blocking everything out as he ties it around my head. "Game four's not over yet, prove that you're superior, Ella."
My heart picks up, frantically fluttering in my chest as I shake my head. I hear his footsteps cross the room. I hear the latch click, the hinges to the door creak. "Don't...don't leave me." My voice is laced with panic.
"Number three will take good care of you." Preston says. Before I can say another word, the door slams shut and a single lock clicks into place, the subtle sound deafening to my ears.
Silence. Each breath I manage to drag in seems labored and raspy. My pulse clangs in my ears, my body riddled with tension, and not because there's a dead man in the corner, but because something about Three unnerves me. Scares me. Worries me. Surely Tobias and Preston wouldn't leave me with him, surely he wouldn't be the third player if he were—
"Little Ella," the gravely sound of his voice causes chill bumps to sweep over my skin. "Turn around my pretty little toy."
Swallowing, I pivot on my feet and turn toward the sound of his voice.
"Pretty, pretty, pretty," his distinct British lilt makes each utterance seem demeaning, condescending. "Are you worried?"
My skin tingles with fear, my chest tightening with each breath. "Yes," I breathe because I know that lying will get me nowhere.
Every one of my senses is on high alert, waiting, anticipating, fearing his touch. When it comes, I jump, jolting away from him. He lets out a low laugh. "Calm, little Ella. I won't hurt you," he says, and I wait for him to add 'much'.
His fingertips trail along my hairline before tracing over my nose. He brushes over my lips and chin, before his fingers dip to my chest, tracking between my breasts. With every movement, my breath quickens and my heart pounds, but this isn't the same as Tobias and Preston. I don't want this. I don't trust this stranger.
"Tell me, Ella," he whispers, so close that warm air trickles over my skin. "Will you submit?" That uncomforatable feeling winds through my gut and I want to pull away. I want to tell him no, run out of this room and never look back. But to run from him is to run from Tobias and Preston. Three players, Tobias said so. If I leave the game, I leave them and without them I have nothing. This is the game, he is the game and I am now in play.
"Yes," I breathe, my voice trembling.
"Good," he says, his lips very lightly brushing over mine. I tense, pressing my lips firmly together.
"You'll have to do better than that." He laughs again. "Come," he snaps, grabbing my elbow and dragging me across the room. I stumble after him blindly, unable to do much else.
I hear a car door opening and then without warning his hands wrap around my waist and I'm lifted into a car. Smooth leather caresses the backs of my thighs as the material of my dress rides up. I want to ask where we're going, but I can't. I have been in this game for four days now. I have been asked to do horrible things, demeaned, taunted and pleasured in ways I didn't think existed, but this...this is the first time I've been truly scared.
Tobias- Chapter
I watch the door, waiting. I've been on edge the entire day over this part of the agreement. The knob turns, the lock clicks, and I lift my glass of whisky to my lips and take a slow sip as the door swings into the living room. Three glances at me without a word before leading my little lamb inside and shutting the door.
"This way," he says as he takes her hand. The black blindfold is still wrapped carefully around her head, her perfect blonde hair such a contrast against the dark silk. A surge of electricity jolts through me. She's chewing on her lip, her body is tense, coiled and riddled with anxiety, I'm certain. His eyes lock with mine. I feel my nostrils flare, my jaw tick because his hand is winding around her waist. I don't like him touching her and it shouldn’t bother me. I take another drink of whisky, focusing on the slow burn as it works its way down my throat.
He leads her to the bedroom and I quietly follow. He stops her at the foot of the bed, dragging his filthy fingers over her as he circles her. The wolf circling my precious little lamb. His finger slips beneath the strap of her dress and he pulls it down. I watch the fine material fall from her chest, her beautiful breasts exposed. Three glances at me with a smirk before he sweeps his hand over her nipple. My fingers pull into fists, my pulse clangs against my ribs and my face heats.
"So pretty," he whispers before kissing her cheek. "Whatever will I do with you all to myself?" His dark eyes lift to mine and a small flicker of competition flares within them. I grit my teeth as he trails his hand lower, pushing her dress down around her hips. "Do you like being a whore, Ella?"
Heat flares in my veins, tension build in my neck.
"You are good at it," Three says, "being a filthy whore. A worthless, filthy whore." He looks at me and narrows his gaze. "Tell me, Ella. Tell me you're a whore."
My eyes drift to her. I notice her swallow. "I'm a..." she hesitates and he grabs her hair, yanking her head back.
"A filthy whore," he says.
"A filthy whore," she repeats, her voice shaking and he laughs.
"Poor little Ella. A dirty little slut for Tobias and Preston." He tosses her hair to the side and steps away from her. "And now you're my dirty little slut."
I watch as he tears her dress down, as he runs his tongue along her throat, all the while his gaze locked on me, watching me. My heart slams against my chest, my blood pressure rising with each touch, each stroke he makes over her skin. When he loops his fingertip under the edge of her thong, I motion for him. He glances up and a deep smirk settles on his face. "Excuse me for a moment while I tend to a matter of business."
I watch her chest rise and fall in ragged swells and I want to tell her it will be okay, I'm tempted to, but I stop myself. I follow three into the hallway and he closes the door.
"Why, Tobias, you have feelings for her, don't you?" he snickers.
"She's afraid of you. The game needs to change."
"Ah-ah-ah, you forget who makes the rules here." He grins. "I won't hurt her, Tobias." He reaches for my face and I step away. "Such a pity you won't let me have you. We could be such a pair, a team." His eyes trail over my body before he shrugs and steps back toward the door. "Don't forget the end game here."
I swallow. The end game...
"Or..." Three pauses in front of the door, "would you want to play, Tobias? Do you, would you like to play the game as well?"
"I'm not your player, Three."
"But for her, would you play for her? Would you do it to change the end game?" I clench my jaw, my eyes falling to the floor as my pulse hammers in my ears. "Would you do it to make her the prize?"
A million thoughts swirl through my mind. Three's eyes flit with excitement and I stare at the door that separates me from my little lamb. Sighing, I shove a hand in my pocket and shoot an annoyed glare at Three before I turn and walk down the hallway.
"Decisions, decisions, Tobias. I won't wait long..." The hinges to the bedroom door creak before it slams closed.
Three thinks he has the control here, he's completely unaware he's nothing more than a pawn.