What the hell?

Kaine had paid a hundred grand for me, and he’s leaving me here alone?

I turned on my side and curled into a ball. My body was still tingling all over, and I felt tender inside. My mind was racing. Had I done something wrong?

I’d touched him… but he’d told me to. And I hadn’t climaxed, not until he made me. I’d followed his orders, yet here I was, alone in a bed more than big enough for two… And I’d thought it would all be over by now. I felt so young… and naive. I’d never thought I’d still be a virgin at the end of the night.

Of course, I also hadn’t expected to feel this… this… frustration. The hell of it was, that in the few short hours I’d known Kaine, everything had changed. Before, this had all just been the means to an end. I needed money, and wanted to help Evelyn. Now, I wanted Kaine, and I needed him to climb into bed beside me… I wasn’t a child anymore, after all. I was a full-grown woman… finally discovering very grown up needs…

I rolled onto my back and stared up at the fancy tiles that decorated the ceiling. He’d wanted me because I was a virgin. Maybe he just wanted me to stay one a little while longer. Maybe it was part of the fantasy or something.

Or maybe he was being kind? I was a little sore inside, just from the size of his thick finger. Could it be he was being considerate, getting me ready slowly? Was that something that even happened in a place like this?

I imagined him, out on the sofa in the living room. Was he jerking off alone? Surely he couldn’t have gotten that close himself, without needing a release…

I must have tossed and turned for hours, irritated with myself for caring. And irritated with Kaine too. He’d clearly wanted me. Pretty damn bad, I flattered myself. And I couldn’t deny that I wanted him, more and more, the longer I had to wait. Maybe that was part of his deal. Maybe that’s what he’d meant when he said we’d both suffer. I threw the covers back and stomped into the bathroom for a drink of water. I filled a glass and swallowed, amazed at the last twenty-four hours. Yesterday morning I’d been afraid, really afraid. And I’d nearly backed out, ready to leave Evelyn to face the consequences on her own. And now, here I was, mad at the man who’d bought me, because he hadn’t fucked me yet.

I sat back down on the edge of the bed and shifted my thoughts to the encounter with Bastien Cole.

How the fuck had he ended up here? On the same night I’d been up for auction. I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly cold in spite of the warm room. Was it just a coincidence? Or could he have known that Evelyn’s daughter would be up for sale…

I shook myself, irritated. I didn’t even know for sure that he’d recognized me. After all, I’d only been in court with Mom a few times, and I’d been back in the second or third row. He might have never made the connection. After all, I wasn’t the one up on charges…

But I didn’t like it. There was something about the man… something in those black eyes that made me afraid. Deeply afraid. For a moment, I wondered if I really should tell Kaine.

I dismissed the idea almost as fast as it formed. That was personal stuff. And whatever happened in the next week between Kaine and me was not. Besides, I hated the idea of telling family secrets. Even though it wasn’t my secret exactly, I felt ashamed just the same. Besides, Kaine had promised I wouldn’t see Cole again. I’d be gone in a week, and that would be the end of it.

I tried to sleep again, but soon the early morning light was already starting to come through the blinds. I pushed my hair back, tucking it behind my ears, curious to see if Kaine had slept out on the sofa. Somehow he struck me as a man who didn’t sleep much. Maybe he didn’t need to. Maybe he couldn’t. He was clearly very wealthy and had that casual air of the privileged. I guessed that his kind of success didn’t allow much down time. And he was a man who was always in control. Of the people around him. Of himself.

I found a cotton robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door and shrugged it on. I didn’t want to be alone with my thoughts anymore. And, ironic as it was, I’d felt more vulnerable alone in this room last night than I’d felt naked in Kaine’s arms.

I opened the door and peeked out. The hall was empty and it was quiet. It was still so early, he was probably asleep. I’d feel better just to sit in a chair and wait for him to wake up. My stomach rumbled and I wondered when I’d eaten last.

I crept down the hall, unsure if this was a mistake. Maybe he’d wanted me to wait in bed, until he came to me? But I kept going and turned the corner, the hall widening out into the oversized living room. A fast glance and the room seemed empty. I took a few more steps, and peeked over the back of the long sofa.

Kaine was sound asleep, lying on his back, his robe bunched at his waist, long muscular legs extending from beneath. His arms and chest were bare and I ran my eyes greedily over him. I hadn’t seen his skin before. He was sleek, dark and perfect.

He was broad and powerfully built, his skin browned by the sun. Even relaxed in sleep, his muscles looked sculpted. A fine sprinkling of dark hair shaded his chest and formed a line that disappeared under his robe. I flashed back to him holding his cock, moving his hand and felt a drip of moisture on the inside of my thigh. My hand ached to reach out and touch him, but I held still, just watching, not wanting to do anything that would displease him. He drew in a loud breath and flung one arm up over his head. Then, still asleep, he rolled, shifting and turning until he was on his stomach. He stretched and was still.

I took a step back, but couldn’t tear my eyes away. I had to bite my lip to keep myself silent.

While the skin on his chest had been perfect, unmarked… his entire back was lined with a pattern of healed scars. Tiny little x shapes, all in neat columns and rows. They’d been cut deep… and intentionally… I stood, barely breathing.

Who in hell had done all this to Kaine…

And, for god’s sake… why?