The throbbing of my head woke me from my restless sleep, each thrum matching the pulsing of my aching backside.

I had hoped last night was nothing but a freak dream, a morbid illusion my mind had concocted, but the pain that resided in me was proof that it all happened. I could finally get answers from Julian, but I still had to figure out a way to let go of my insecurities and follow through with his demands. Something so simple, yet seemingly so impossible. But I had to try, otherwise I’d never have any peace of mind again.

Deciding I needed something to ease my tension, I slowly dragged myself from bed. Every movement sent prickling pain through my still tender bottom as I slowly padded into the bathroom. I ran the tub, letting it fill almost to the brim with hot water. It was almost too hot, but it comforted me as I slowly eased my body into the steaming tub.

The heat caressed my body, easing my discomfort. I wanted to let myself drift back into a peaceful slumber, to let the water lap against my flesh in its lulling repetition until I slid back into a sleeping state. But as hard as I tried, my mind wouldn’t let me. Thoughts reeled relentlessly.

I wondered how long I had been here. It felt like months, but I knew it was more like a couple of weeks. With no windows, I couldn’t tell day from night and had to guess the passage of time mostly by hunger pangs and Julian’s visits. I missed Kiera and her spitfire personality. I wondered what she was doing, if she was trying to find me or had simply forgotten all about me, though it seemed unlikely. She was too protective over me to just let me disappear the way I did. She must have been worried sick. I hoped she didn't blame herself. If it wasn't me, it would have been some other wandering woman in need of the facilities.

However, it was my fate.

My fate was to be dragged off to some strange unknown place and forced into submission. There had to be a reason I was put here. I just had to figure out why.

My thoughts were drifting off in too many directions to handle so soon after waking. I needed a better distraction, something that kept my worries at bay a little longer until I had a clear mind.

I slipped out of the tub and sat on the edge as the water slowly twirled down the drain, allowing my body to air dry seeing as Julian still had yet to return my towels. I figured I’d go on a mission to rummage through my new collection of lingerie in hopes of distracting myself just enough to get me through the first part of my day. Maybe throw myself a costume party like a child would. At this rate, with the lack of things to occupy myself with, I even would have conjured up my very own imaginary friend. Maybe someone who didn’t demand so much from me like my live “friend” did.

As I sat, listening to the gargle of the water moving through the pipes, my stomach rumbled loudly in demand of food. I realized I hadn’t eaten anything for a long while. And after my spanking, I didn’t expect food to be my reward for such good behavior. I would probably be left to starve for a few days yet again until I “learned my lesson,” as Julian would put it.

Once I felt dry enough, I slowly padded back towards the bedroom. At the doorway, I stopped and peeked around the wall, scanning the room to make sure I was still alone.

For once, I was.

I went to the wardrobe, kneeled down, and pulled the small brass handles to reveal the plethora of various types of risqué lingerie. As I flipped through the pieces, a soft salmon-colored item drew in my attention. Similar to the negligée I wore yesterday, it was sheer, as most of the pieces were, and seemed just as formfitting. The bust was sewn considerably lower to partially expose one’s nipples. Intricately stitched lace brimmed its edges as well as the bottom hem. A matching sheer lacy thong was pinned to one of the straps, and as I looked at the other pieces in the drawer, I noticed that those, too, had matching underwear pinned to them.

He was quite an organized man.

I stood and shimmied into the little number and stepped over to the vanity mirror to assess myself.

Like the one from before, it fit me like a glove, clinging to all the right places, accentuating all of my desirable features. I turned to look at the corset-laced back, the satin ribbon weaving between itself all the way down to the top of the lace thong.

I froze in shock when my eyes landed on my bottom. My cheeks were still bright red, almost glowing, as if someone had cracked a glow stick and spilled its liquid on my flesh. Raised, deep red lines crisscrossed over my skin in the shape of the paddle he had used.

My fingers gently brushed across each cheek. Even the slightest touch to the tender areas stung as heat radiated from them like they were sunburned.

How long would this last?

The clicking of the deadbolt rang out in the silent room as I examined my wounds. Julian stepped through, a tray full of food in hand.

Tears immediately stung my eyes as waves of emotion flooded me.

As grateful as I was at the fact he brought me food, I was still angry that he had left these marks on me. Not to mention I was sure there was a catch to him having the meal.

“Abby, you look nice today,” he greeted me cheerfully.

“You hurt me,” I seethed, tears threatening of slipping over the brims.

“You disobeyed,” he stated nonchalantly as if he’d done nothing wrong.

I trembled in anger. “You left welts on me!” I yelled and spun around, lifting the hem of the dress to show him what he had done. “Look at these!”

His tongue slipped out between his lips, wetting them as he gazed at the welts across my backside.

Suddenly embarrassed, I spun back around, hiding my cheeks beneath my hands.

He raised an inquisitive brow, and a smile of amusement danced across his lips as his gaze raked over my body.

My own gaze fell and I realized that my nipples were partially exposed as the lingerie piece intended.

I quickly hugged my arms around my breasts in attempts to hide them from him, not that it would do much good now. He had already seen them.

“Don’t change the subject!” I spat, nervously teetering from one foot to the other.

He chuckled. “I didn’t say a word.”

Damn it.

He turned to set the tray of food down on the table and took his usual seat.

My glare stayed focused on him as I thought about what he said to me as he left the night before. He had to go relieve himself.

Curiosity got the better of me and I couldn’t hold back.

“So,” I said softly, anger still tainting my words, “did you sleep with someone last night?”

His brow raised in curiosity. “Sleep with someone?”

I nodded bashfully. “Did you… have sex… with someone? Another woman?”

I tried to hide my jealousy at the fact that he could have dozens of other women stashed somewhere in this house, but I faltered and I knew it showed. Not that it had to be obvious to him, he’d just be able to read my mind and know anyway.

He shook his head in disappointment and released an agitated sigh. “We are far from other people. Miles away from any civilization.” He sat back in his chair, his fingers interlacing as though he was prepping for an interrogation. “You are also the only guest in my home.”

My heart fluttered and I could feel my cheeks begin to burn red. So, I was the only one?

Irritability cloaked his face. Now what had I done?

“You are not to become possessive of me. I own you, not the other way around.”

Now I was becoming irritated.

Furious over his reminder, my mouth ran away from me.

“I’m well-aware. In case it seemed to have fled your mind, you had quite the forceful way of proving it last night.”

A dark smirk stretched across his lips “My dear, that was only the beginning...” Hooded eyes raked over my body, sending shivers across every inch of me. “I have many more things planned to remind you that I own you.”

My inner thighs tingled and my mouth ran dry out of curiosity.

“I want you to remove those panties.” His voice was suddenly low and husky.

My first instinct was to refuse, rebel against his demands. But the mix of fear of getting another punishment and excitement blossoming between my legs forced me to obey.

I slowly hooked my thumbs into the band of my thong, taking gentle care as I slid them down as to not rub against the welts. Once to the back of my knees, I let gravity do the work and the fell around my ankles.

Taking a tentative step forward, I left the lace number in a pile on the floor as I watched for his reaction.

His expression had shifted to that of dark desire, all trace of humor fleeing him.

“Lean over the bed,” he demanded, his eyes glued to my southern region.

I hesitated. The fear of him paddling me again sprung to life in my chest. But I hadn’t disobeyed or angered him, so he wouldn’t do that again, would he?

Going off faith that he wouldn’t hurt me, I slowly did as commanded and spread my upper body across the bed, leaving my ass in the air, presented to him.

I curled my arms up to either side of my torso, my fists clenched, causing my nails to nervously dig into my palms as I awaited possible punishment. Time seemed to have stopped around me, suffocating me in anticipation as I waited for his next command.

Just as I was about to ask him what I should do, I felt his hands tightly grip my hips and forcefully tug me backwards as his tongue traced my tender flesh, causing me to gasp in both shock and surprising pleasure.

He was licking my ass.

At first I was uncomfortable; having someone of the opposite sex face so close to such a private area was putting me on edge. But as he continued to slowly drag his tongue across my tender cheeks, leaving a cool trail wherever he licked, the more the pain from the night before faded.

He traced down to the base of my ass, so close to my aching mound I could feel his hot breath brusquely gliding across my puffy lips.

Instinctively, my hips raised towards his mouth every time his lips threatened to grace my womanhood, aching for his mouth to close around it and taste its sweet juices. But every time, he would flee back and glide his tongue across another area.

He was taunting me. Trying to get me worked up, hot and bothered. And it was working.

What I wouldn’t give for him to taste me in that moment. The desire was driving me crazy, and moans escaped my own lips in frustration.

I felt his grip leave my hips and then nothing. Cool air surrounded me as I felt his presence leave my body behind.

Shocked, I flipped myself over to sit on the edge of the bed. I clutched my knees together tightly in hopes to hide my arousal. I could feel my juices beginning to trickle down my inner thigh, leaving it slick as they rubbed against each other.

“You’re leaving?” I breathed, trying to hide my sexual frustration.

His hand was already on the door handle.

“Yes.”

I waited for him to elaborate as to why, but instead he opened the door and began to step out.

“Wait!” I yelled after him in desperation.

My face flushed. I couldn’t let him know he was leaving me frustrated.

Stopping in the doorway, he turned to look at me, the dark desire still lingering in his eyes. Part of me wanted to beg him to stay, but I couldn’t get myself to say the words.

“I-I’m really bored locked up in here all alone,” I managed, my fingers nervously digging at the mattress beneath me. I could only imagine the puddle I was making.

“Do y-you think I could get something to entertain me? To pass the time? Maybe I could get my e-reader back?”

He offered me a smirk. “I will consider it.” He gestured towards the table where the tray of food still sat “Eat. I will be back later.”

And with that, he was gone, door latched and locked behind him.

I flopped back onto the bed, letting out an exaggerated sigh as my pent up frustrations began to fade.

I considered relieving myself once I knew he was in bed for the night, the images of his mouth so close to my mound stirring up a new wave of arousal.

Standing, I shook my arms in attempt to shake off my strange desires and decided it was time to eat. My stomach growled in approval as I sat at the desk to dig into the steaming meal.