Julian had brought me a massive cheeseburger loaded with the works. Lettuce, tomato, and pickles were adorned with a flavorful, savory sauce with a side of French fries in a large metal wire cone. He’d even added a bowl of fruit salad with a sweet cream drizzled on top that I decided to save for dessert.

I was in heaven.

My taste buds were exploding with all the different flavors, moans of bliss slipping past my lips with every mouthful. I wondered if the food was really just that delicious, or if its taste was elevated from my lack of food intake over the last few weeks.

Either way, I didn’t care. It was too good to continue questioning. But I did find myself wondering where Julian learned to cook so well. Even the presentation was a delight. For something you could get slapped together at a fast food drive-thru, he really took to time to make it beautiful. Even the delicate square china it was all presented on was exquisite.

After I had polished off every last bite, I sat back in the wooden chair, the same one Julian practically used as a throne when he visited, and patted my little protruding belly. It felt like decades since I had eaten, and now I had gorged myself and turned into a walking balloon.

Even sleep threatened me now that I was full. But I couldn’t allow myself to sleep. Julian said he would come back today and I hated waking up to find him there in his corner, watching me. Though I was finding myself increasingly physically attracted to him, his behavior still tended to creep me out.

A burp rumbled up out of my chest and I realized I should probably brush my teeth before he came back. The last thing I needed was to be embarrassed by something as common as a little bit of bad breath.

Once in the bathroom, I grabbed my pink toothbrush next to the tube of spearmint toothpaste and a bottle of mouthwash of the same flavor.

As thoughtful as it was for him to provide all of the essentials one would need for good hygiene, assuming pink was always a good choice for a woman pricked me the wrong way. But considering he’d just given me the best burger I had ever tasted, I let it slide.

I brushed my teeth, making sure to get each tooth thoroughly, and then rinsed my mouth with the minty liquid.

Glancing in the mirror, I had hoped to find that I was still somewhat presentable, but my luck wouldn’t let me be that fortunate. My hair stuck out in every direction and the bags under my eyes made me cringe.

How long had I looked like this?!

I quickly combed down my wavy locks, easing the frizz and making them at least appear uniform.

Curiosity arose when I thought about applying some makeup. Would he be thoughtful enough to supply at least a little foundation to try and cover up the dark circles that hugged my eyes?

As I poked through the toiletries once more, my thoughts were answered. There in a beautiful silver box with delicate floral engravings was a small green tube of black mascara, an array of different shades of lipstick and lip gloss, a compact blush and eye shadow kit, and a small powder foundation that matched my light skin tone perfectly. There was even an entire set of makeup brushes. Everything I could possibly need was all right there in the little metal box.

I quickly concealed the bags under my eyes and touched up my little blemishes before putting on a light layer of eye shadow and mascara. I even decided to dab on a little bit of blush and a red-tinted, strawberry-flavored lip gloss to give my face more life, something I was sure had been lacking these past few weeks.

Embarrassment threatened to overcome me when I thought of what I must have looked like in front of Julian. Weak, tired, and drained from the roller coaster of emotions I had found myself trapped on, I was sure I appeared to be as much of a mess as I felt.

A final glance in the mirror and I smiled, pleased with the outcome. For once since I had been locked in here, I looked energized. I was curious to know if Julian would even notice.

And like clockwork, I heard the lock to the room click over.

Think of the devil.

I stepped out into the bedroom just as Julian was closing the door behind him. He turned and froze as his gaze drifted over me, a pleasant smile gracing his full lips.

“You look well, dear.” His eyes were soft, like they had been just the other day, and I could tell he was being sincere.

My cheeks flushed and my gaze found the ground in front of me. “Thank you,” I bashfully replied.

It wasn’t often that Julian would actually compliment me on anything, and when he did, it made my heart soar a little higher.

“Come.” He motioned me closer. “There are some things I would like to do tonight.”

His words made my mind race with wonder at the possibilities he might be thinking of. Without any release from our previous encounter, my mind instantly went to the more erotic possibilities. With that fresh in my mind, I didn’t hesitate to go to him. I stopped a few feet away, my body humming with anticipation on what he may have planned.

With a dark smirk, he held a finger up to keep me in place as he strode over to the wardrobe and opened the double doors. He pulled out a long, red slender rod with a triangle of black leather fastened to its tip and leather straps wound around its hilt.

My heart sank. “What is that?” I questioned, my brows furrowing in confusion.

“This,” he held the rod up, displaying it across both of his hands, “is a riding crop.”

I had seen them before. “Aren’t those for racing horses?” I had an idea of where this was going, but I was hoping I was wrong.

His lips twisted into a wicked grin. “Not always. It is actually used quite widely for disciplining one’s beast while training.”

There it was. My fears confirmed. And did he just refer to me as a beast?

“Training? What kind of training?”

He playfully swatted the leather piece in the palm of his hand.

“I’m glad you asked.”

I wasn’t.

“Tonight, you are going to learn some basic kneeling positions,” he stated authoritatively. “You are to take these positions whenever I command, without protest.”

Raising a challenging brow at me, he smirked. “Is that understood?”

With a glare, I nodded. If I didn’t want him to use that or something worse on me, I didn’t have much of a choice. No matter how demeaning it was.

“Good,” he said. He ran his fingers through his sandy locks as he positioned himself in front of me, causing his muscular arms to bulge against the charcoal button down that strained against his sculpted frame.

“The first one is traditional, the most widely used stance and fairly easy to master. It is simply known as ‘kneel’.”

Using the riding crop, he pointed down to the floor. “First, get onto your knees and spread them open.”

I let out a shaky breath and followed his orders. The cold wooden floor made my thighs prickle with goosebumps.

He swiftly swatted my inner thigh as he slowly circled me, causing me to yelp aloud. My anger threatened to resurface. How I ever wanted this man’s mouth on me was beyond me.

“Wider.”

I spread my knees further apart and sat back on my heels. A cold breeze wafted between my legs and across my mound and I realized I never put my panties back on. I tried to ignore it and hide my embarrassment, but I could feel my cheeks growing hotter.

“Good,” Julian praised. “Now fold your arms behind your back and grab onto the opposite elbow.”

I followed through easily enough, yet he still swatted the side of my ass with the leather patch.

“Sit up straight, shoulders back.”

As I forced my shoulder blades together, my breasts jutted out in front of me.

Julian licked his lips as he continued to circle me in slow strides.

“Very good,” he said dragging the small bit of leather across my breasts, causing my whole body to shudder as they grazed my pert nipples. “This is the position I will have you take most often. Whenever I say ‘kneel,’ you will assume this position at my side quickly and precisely. No exceptions.”

I managed a nod. My voice was trapped in my chest, my nerves straining my throat so tightly I almost couldn’t breathe.

“The next position is also fairly simple. It is a stance I will allow you to assume if and when I’m feeling gracious.” He stopped right in front of me and pointed to my legs. “You will sit back, legs crossing in front of you with one leg tucked into the inside of the other, and your hands will be placed full palm onto the ground.”

I did as I was instructed again as he continued to slowly pace around me. Tucking one leg against the other, I created a hole where my hands found the ground, palms pressed to it as he described, which forced my breasts to be tightly pressed together, presenting themselves to him.

But again, he swatted the side of my ass, causing me to flinch.

“Back straight.”

I quickly fixed my posture and he offered me a pleased smile.

“Very good.” Again, he dragged the leather tip across my hard nipples, sending chills across my body. Why was this training session turning me on again?

I prayed my southern region kept it together better than the rest of my body as to not make a mess on the shiny wooden floor in this position.

“This position you will assume only when I tell you to ‘rest’ in my presence. Only when I tell you.”

As degrading as this stance was, it was much more comfortable then the last. And I was sure it would be more comfortable the any other he would have me learn to do.

“And the last one for today, we will simply call ‘bow.’ This one will be more uncomfortable… for you, anyway.” His dark eyes sparked with mischievous intentions.

He continued to pace past me. Stopping behind my back, he leaned in, his lips grazing my ear and his breath tickling my neck. His voice was low as he spoke. “This last position, your head will be turned to the side and pressed to the ground, your arms will be placed on either side of your head, and you will be on your knees as to present yourself to me.”

I choked on the lump that formed in my throat.

“I’m sorry, present myself to you?” I gawked at him. He didn’t honestly expect me to sit there with my ass in his face whenever he told me to, did he?

“That is exactly what I expect from you. Maybe not in such graphic terms, but that is the idea.”

God damn him for reading my mind!

“And what is this position supposed to be used for?!” I didn’t care much for the other two positions, or why I would have to do them. I figured it was simply a form of submission. But if this last one was anything, it was purely for humiliation.

“The bowing position is for whatever I feel like. Whether it be to simply look at you, as a form of punishment, or easy access. And you are to preform it immediately following the command,” he explained.

Before I could get another word in edgewise, he brought the riding crop down across my inner thigh again, harder than before, sending stinging shock waves rippling through the tender area.

“Without question,” he reminded me in a deep growl. I bit my lip to suppress any snide remarks and began to move into position.

I pushed myself onto my knees and hesitantly bent forward, laying my head onto the ground and my arms on either side like instructed.

Another strike to my backside, right where my welts had been, had tears stinging my eyes. I fought them back as I tried to ease myself into the position.

“Sway your back,” he demanded. “This way your ass will protrude out better and ultimately be more comfortable to you in the long run.”

I pushed my spine towards the floor, causing my backside to jut out into the open air, opening up and exposing every bit of my womanhood to him.

A muffled growl rumbled from his chest.

“Perfect,” he purred and gently slid the leather tip up my slit, teasing me ever so slightly as he strode by. I trembled as anticipation grew. As much as I hated him, I wanted him just as badly.

He gently tapped the cheek of my ass with the tip of the riding crop and motioned for me to stand, a pleased smile stretching over his indulgent lips.

What I wouldn’t give to sink my teeth into his fleshy, plump bottom lip right now.

I took a deep, stabilizing breath and tried to hide my thoughts. A feeble attempt, but something I knew would get better over time as long as I worked on it.

He tenderly stroked my cheek with the back of his hand, as if applauding me for my work today.

“You were marvelous, dear. Now you may get some rest. But while I am gone, I want you to practice those positions, memorize the proper posture. I will be back tomorrow.” He turned towards the door to leave, but instead grabbed a bag off the floor I hadn't noticed when he first came in. Maybe I was just too distracted.

“And for doing so well today, I figured this could be your reward,” he said and produced my e-reader from inside the bag. “You can catch up on your romance novel now.” I knew he was mocking me, but I was too excited to have part of my old life back to care.

“Thank you, Julian!” I grasped the small tablet in my hand and marveled at its sleek design. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed it until right now.

“Good night, Abigale.” He smiled and opened the door to leave.

“Good night, Julian!” I yelled after him before he clicked over the deadbolt.

I leaped into bed, more ecstatic then I had felt in days. Finally I had something to pass the time, to keep my mind off of this new bizarre world I found myself trapped in.

As I was about to start reading, I caught a glimpse of the white light in the upper corner of the screen. The unmistakable symbol that may result in a rescue after all.

Hope swelled inside my chest.

My e-reader was connected to Wi-Fi. I could get on the internet, which meant I could call for help.

I could get out of here.