“Cinnamon toast,” I answered, hardly aware I was speaking.

Of all the things I’d expected after last night, this wasn’t it. Not even close.

I watched as Kaine turned his back on me and placed the order. The toast for me, Eggs Benedict for himself. “Juice?” he asked, and I nodded absently.

He hung up and pulled out his cell, absorbed. Lost to me.

After we’d been so close. So absolutely close last night. After all the things we’d done… I felt myself flush. And this morning he was cold as ice, all business, like nothing had happened between us at all. And now he was leaving me here alone.

I watched the muscles moving across his back and shoulders as he typed into his phone. Had I been a disappointment somehow? A man like Kaine must have had every girl here, all of them experienced. What did I know, about giving a man pleasure? Maybe that’s why he hadn’t fucked me yet. Maybe that’s why he was leaving now… to have his needs taken care of by one of the others here. Maybe even a girlfriend at home. I flashed to Dalia’s generous curves and seductive smile and felt foolish. For being here at all. For thinking I had anything to offer, worth the crazy amount of money Kaine had paid…

I headed back to the bedroom and found a soft pink cardigan and pulled it on. Wrapping it around myself, I couldn’t help but remember the feeling of being in his arms last night. I’d gone to sleep with them around me and I’d felt safe. It was the last thing I’d ever expected, but it was true. Kaine had felt solid, and warm and… real. His heartbeat had been like a lullaby. Soothing, reassuring. Something in the darkness reminding me that I wasn’t all alone.

I went back down the hall only when I heard the doorbell chime. Breakfast was left quickly and discreetly. I wondered briefly about the shocking variety of things a server must see in these rooms. No wonder she’d kept her eyes down.

“Please.” Kaine pulled out my chair and I sat. “Are you sure toast is enough? Try this…” He scooped up a forkful of his eggs and held it out to me expectantly. I reached for the fork.

“Uh uh,” he pulled back. “Let me…”

I opened my mouth and he smiled, feeding me gently, watching me lick my lips and chew. His eyes were glittering. “Do you like the taste?” he asked. His voice was quiet, his eyes were on my mouth. I saw him bite into his own bottom lip.

“Tell me what you taste. What it feels like in your mouth…”

I sat, confused for a moment, unable to answer. “Go ahead, Grace. Just tell me what you feel.”

“Warm. It’s soft and warm in my mouth, but firm too”. I licked my lips again. “Salty. It’s delicious Kaine. I’ve never had eggs like this.”

He looked up from my mouth and smiled. I was confused, not really understanding the game he was playing, but my body seemed to understand of its own accord. He reached out and trailed his fingers over my lips, and I felt warmth and wetness flood into my core. All the desires he’d aroused in me last night roared to the surface and pushed my fears aside. He did want me.

A second later he had me on his lap, my legs spread and wrapped around his waist and the back of his chair. Even through our clothes I could feel the size and heat of his erection. My breasts were in his hands, my shirt buttons scattered on the floor. He was kissing me like it had the power to save his life…

“Fuck, Grace.” He kissed me and bit me, tasting, devouring. “Hot, delicious… fucking delicious girl…”

I arched back and his mouth found my breasts, sucking one and then the other into his wet mouth. “Oh please, Kaine… I want you to do this. I need you to.” I caught his face in my hands and felt him stiffen suddenly. I knew I’d broken the rules and didn’t care. He was so close. We were so close. He wanted me and I wanted him. I was bought and paid for. There was just no reason not to…

“I need you to fuck me, Kaine. I ache inside, and I want this. It’s okay… I’ll do anything you want. Anything you tell me.” I kissed him, my hands tangled in his hair. “Just don’t leave. Stay with me today and I’ll be whatever you need.”

“Grace…” He gripped my wrists in his hands. “No.”

“But you want me… I know that you do.” His face was close and I searched it, frantic for an answer. “If you’ll just give me a chance, Kaine.”

He stood, keeping hold of my wrists and letting my legs slide down his body. He kept his grip until my feet hit the floor and then he let go, pulling back and reaching for his jacket and his phone. “I have to go.”

“But why?” I knew I was pleading, and what little pride I had was all but gone. But he’d been so close. So close to letting go. “Why are you leaving me here alone?”

He opened the door and looked at me from across the room. It was like he was a million miles away again.

“I don’t explain myself, Grace. Not even to you.” He stepped into the hall without looking back at me. “I’ll be back when I can. Do not leave this room.”

He closed the door and was gone.

* * *

Two hours of pacing had done nothing to calm my body or my mind. What the hell kind of game was he playing at anyway? Hot and cold… here and gone. Ordering me to stay when he’s free to come and go. What the hell did he pay Mrs. S for? To use me, to get all hot and bothered, and then go off to be with someone else?

All my fears and insecurities came flooding back. Right along with a big dose of anger. Who the fuck did he think he was, anyway? He had paid for services rendered. Services he apparently didn’t even want now. After all, it wasn’t like he really owned me…

I stalked back to the bedroom and shuffled through the closet, searching for the boots I’d worn to the park. I shoved my feet into them, wanting nothing more than to get outside these walls for a while. I felt like I needed air, sunshine. I needed a walk. A long one. To clear my head. Maybe then I’d know just what the hell to do, when Kaine got back. If he came back.

I opened the door and headed for the elevator, irritated by the wait. I glanced around and noticed a narrow door at the end of a short corridor. Pushing it open, I found a flight of stairs. No doubt for use by employees like the girl who’d brought our breakfast. I paused an instant, and then headed down. It was as good a way as any to get to the ground floor, and I wouldn’t have to risk facing any of the girls or their masters. I was in no mood.

I headed down. The Citadel was on the top floor and I had five flights to go. My footsteps echoed softly off the yellow plaster. Three levels down, I stopped, turning my head to listen. The was someone else, farther down. I heard shuffling, and then a sharp cracking sound. Flattening against the wall, I crept down as silently as I could. I knew I wasn’t alone. And something just felt wrong. A few more steps and I leaned over the rail to see. Someone was breathing hard, and for a moment, I thought maybe they’d slipped on the concrete stairs.

At first I only saw the back of her head, leaning over the rail as if she was looking down. Then his hand shot forward to clamp around her mouth, just as she took in a breath to scream. I was frozen, staring against my will as he struggled to push the maid’s skirt up. I could see his cock, already out and ready.

“No!” I screamed out, bringing both their faces up to where I stood. “You bastard! You leave her the hell alone!”