ROOM 253

Iris Ann Hunter

She knelt on the carpet, in position, naked except for the white silk scarf that hid her eyes. Her knees ached, but she didn’t dare move. She knew He was watching her. He’d said as much in the note He’d left for her to find. It had been waiting for her on the bed, the scarf alongside.

Finally, a soft click at the door broke the silence. She heard the door open and close, followed by the sound of footfalls across the carpet. They stopped a short distance away.

She inhaled the air, seeking out the scent of her Master. A faint aroma welcomed her. It should’ve excited her, thrilled her, but it didn’t. Instead, it terrified her, for one simple reason—it wasn’t Him.

A small whimper left her lips.

“He said you were beautiful. He was right.” The man’s voice sliced through the air, cutting her deep. It was a compliment, but all she heard was confirmation that her owner had sent someone else in His place, something He’d never done before. In that moment, the fear blossomed, only to fall away like a spent flower, replaced by something else. Anger.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

The man chuckled softly. “He also said you were a handful.”

She felt the air shift as he moved past her, ignoring her question. Off to the side she heard things being placed on the dresser—a wallet perhaps, and keys. He moved back and sat on the bed directly behind her, settling himself so she was nestled between his legs.

Her entire body trembled, but that didn’t stop him from running his touch up her arm and along her shoulder. “Hair like the darkest night,” he whispered. “Skin like newborn snow.” She closed her eyes, recognizing the words that had first fallen from His lips. Now He had passed them on to another, just like her.

His hand fisted into her long waves and gently pulled her head back. “I wish I could gaze into those green eyes of yours—eyes he said were the color of wild emeralds. But it appears he has chosen to keep them hidden.”

An abundance of warmth exploded within her core, a caress to go with the slap. She had assumed the blindfold was for her, but it wasn’t. It was for Him. To keep something for Himself, despite giving the rest of her away.

A smile played along her lips.

“You think that’s funny?” he asked, sounding slightly amused. “Shouldn’t I tell you why I’m here? Shouldn’t I tell you that you were the sweetener to a business transaction?”

The smile fell away. “If you’re trying to hurt me,” she snapped, “then you’ll have to try harder than that.”

She expected retaliation, but all she felt was a caress along her shoulder. “I don’t want your pain. That is his, and his alone. He made that clear. But I will take your submission.” His hand slid down between her legs and without warning, two fingers entered her, forcing a gasp from her lips. “You will obey me.”

“And if I choose not to?”

She felt him smile against her cheek. “Then it won’t be me you have to answer to, will it?” She didn’t answer. She didn’t need to. They both knew the answer. “He doesn’t seem the type to take disobedience lightly. Aside from using your safeword, it would seem you have no choice in the matter.” She groaned when a third finger slipped inside. “I am afraid that for now, until dawn takes back the sky, you are mine.” A sound at the door drew her attention. “Or perhaps, I should say…ours.”

Ours?

She heard a daunting click, followed by the low murmur of what sounded like two male voices—two unfamiliar male voices. Her heart leapt into her chest and she scrambled to flee, but a steel arm held her in place, as did the fingers still lodged deep inside her. “Shhhh,” he whispered. “I told you, we’re not going to hurt you…at least, no more than can be helped.”

“But—” Her voice cracked and a tear seeped into her blindfold. She froze when she heard the men approaching.

“Jesus, he wasn’t kidding, was he?” a rough male voice asked, followed by the hiss of air through teeth that sounded like it came from someone else.

The man holding her placed a soft kiss on her hair. “No, he wasn’t,” he answered quietly, moving his fingers once again, drawing out her wetness. “She’s the most beautiful thing we’ll ever see.”

She could already hear them shedding their clothes, already hear the growing eagerness in their breath. Only the man who held her remained steady and calm. In some ways, he reminded her of Him.

Him.

Her heart ached, despite the growing pleasure pulsing between her legs. But she knew that’s what He wanted for her. Pain to go with the pleasure.

“I want her mouth,” the rough voice said.

A moment later, hard flesh slipped between her lips. She choked back a sob, struggling to take him in.

“She’s a petite little thing,” came a voice she hadn’t heard yet. “Think she’ll be able to take us all?”

“Yes,” the man behind her whispered, still fingering her. “She’ll take us all. She’s strong, this one.” He swiped his thumb back and forth over her clitoris, and she could do nothing but let the dam break. She came hard on his fingers, arching in his arms, swallowing up flesh, consumed by hands, and fear, and pain, and lust. She came for Him, the one who watched her, the one who gave her away, the one who loved her.

“Master,” she breathed, as the last of the wave receded. Around her, she heard the strains of control in the men who touched her, groped her. Her orgasm had enflamed their hunger, heated their desires. She shuddered at the knowledge that her time with them had only just begun. All she wanted to do was melt away, to have Him come and take her in His arms now, to say that was as far as He would let them go. But alas, such was not the case.

By the time dawn emerged, she lay facedown on the rumpled sheets, alone. They had finally left.

She couldn’t move, couldn’t do anything but lie there. The tears had dried on her face long ago.

Vaguely, she heard a click at the door. She tried to open her eyes, but couldn’t. A moment later, she felt the dip of the bed and took in the familiar scent she’d been waiting for.

“Master,” she murmured.

Strong hands took her aching body and gently pulled her into a cradle. “I’m here.”

Fresh tears suddenly burst forth and she clung to Him. He offered no apology, no explanation, just simply held her. “Tell me something,” He said, stroking her hair with the utmost tenderness, “did you like it?”

She swallowed down a sob, choking on the truth she was too scared to reveal. But she sensed He knew already. “No,” she whispered, more tears falling. “I loved it.”