Chapter Six

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TWO DAYS HAD PASSED since I’d seen Sully.

Three days since I’d served in Euphoria.

Four days before I would be summoned to serve again.

It was that thought alone that evicted me from my villa and forced me to trade loneliness and fear for company.

I had four days to come up with an escape plan, and the only way I could do that was by interacting with goddesses who might slip and give me clues on how to flee.

Divinity dining room rested like some slumbering turtle, tucked into the dense jungle not far from the main restaurants and café for guests. The same thatched roof, sweeping heights, and exposed rafters welcomed me but on a smaller, more intimate scale.

No men drank cocktails and joked on the wraparound deck, only women. No aura of testosterone lingered, stinking up the place.

In fact, the whole place reeked of femininity with frangipani trees lining the wooden steps—granting much-needed shade—the local herons tiptoeing between quaint ponds, and the numerous hints of sexually charged goddesses.

Napkins were folded in ways that hinted at spread legs. Fruit had been cut into phallic enticements. Even the crockery held a lipstick kiss glazed into the china.

I hated it.

For the first time, I’d found something cheap and crass on Sully’s island of impeccable taste. This place wasn’t elegant and understated but vibrantly vicious with what our purpose was: to be a rentable vagina to whomever had deep wallets.

I shivered in disgust, about to turn around and return to my villa. I’d eat alone on the beach like I had the past few mornings. Yesterday, another tiny parrot almost identical to Pika had watched me warily from the ferns. I’d tried to entice it over, placing a napkin of blueberry danish and fresh grapes on the deck close by, but it hadn’t braved a visit.

At first, I’d thought it’d been Pika, his usual vivacious personality subdued because Sully wasn’t around, but when I’d peered closer, I’d noticed the new arrival was slightly smaller with more tangerine than apricot cheeks. A few sprigs of black feathers crowned its head and a timid gloss to its eye hinted it didn’t trust easily.

I didn’t know why I’d been graced with a visit, but it’d stayed all day, watching me swim and scribble on my map, trying to solve the riddle of my freedom. By the time dusk fell, the tiny parrot fluttered off in a flurry of white belly and green wings as if satisfied by its curiosity of me and ready to go home.

I’m ready to go home, too.

If only I had wings, escaping would be a far easier task.

I sighed. I might not be able to fly away, but at least that timid creature would be a far more enjoyable lunch companion than the four women pealing with giggles under the shade of a large black sun sail.

My feet had barely touched the sand to go when a voice stopped me short. “Jinx! Wait up.”

I looked over my shoulder, relaxing a little when Jealousy left her table by the edge of the deck, abandoning an e-reader next to a bowl of half-eaten muesli.

“Oh, hi.” I tucked an errant piece of hair behind my ear, smoothing down the long teal sundress I wore. It’d been the closest thing in the wardrobe to cover up as much as possible. The thin spaghetti straps barely hid the bronze bikini beneath but at least the cheesecloth material fell to drape over my toes.

I’d worn it to protect myself from Sully’s stare.

I couldn’t figure out how I felt about not seeing him for two days. I’d grown used to his ‘harassment’, horrifyingly enjoying our sparring matches and the fact that I had the guts to query his lordship—to tell my truth...for him to let me.

“You okay?” She reached out and rubbed my arm with a sweet smile of welcome, her cream dress floating elegantly around her pretty figure. “You recovered from Euphoria?”

I licked my lips, swallowing hard. Was it normal for my dreams to be completely dripping in sex after Sully’s VR? I’d had my fair share of erotic dreams before. When I’d hit puberty, I’d even had a release in my sleep—or at least I thought I had. But the past two nights, I’d woken up with my hands between my legs and the residual echoes of intense pleasure.

And the fantasy that I pictured?

Sully.

Slave master Sully instead of sweet innocent Scott.

Sully wrapping his hand in my hair, jerking me from the bath, kissing me until our teeth chipped. Sully bending me over the vanity, kicking my legs apart, and thrusting into me, all while our eyes locked together in the mirror. Even Pika starred—a pipsqueak blur of colour crowning Sully’s head as he claimed me.

I blushed, stepping away from Jealousy. “Physically, I’m much better. But mentally...” I shrugged. “I guess it takes time to stop thinking about what happened.”

She nodded gently. “It does. After you’ve had such liberation, it’s hard for your body to allow propriety to shackle it again.” Leaning closer, she whispered, “I don’t know about you, but sex is a huge part of me now. I can’t go a day without an orgasm.”

I gasped, not entirely comfortable with such honest conversation.

She laughed softly. “You’re telling me you haven’t...you know?” Her eyebrows wiggled. “Acted on that persistent craving in your blood?”

I arched my chin, ready to deny any attempt at self-release, but my shoulders sagged. If I couldn’t be truthful with a fellow goddess—the only one I’d find a confidant in, according to Sully—who could I? It wasn’t like I could ever speak of my experiences back at home. I would hoard my secrets from Scott until I died. While I was here, I was expected to be a wanton creature—which was good because...I couldn’t help it.

Not after ingesting elixir twice. Not after living in a heightened state of sensitivity, waiting for Sully to appear, disappointed when he didn’t, disappointed in myself that I was disappointed.

It’s exhausting.

She laughed again, taking my hand and guiding me to her table. She pushed me into the chair next to the one she’d abandoned, her hazel eyes twinkling. “So...”

I sagged. “I can’t stop the dreams. They’re far too intense.”

“I know. I always have very explicit dreams after Euphoria.”

“Do they stop?”

“Yes.” She grinned. “But by the time they stop, you’re summoned to fulfil another fantasy.” She pushed her bowl away. “Around and around we go.”

“Great.” I rolled my eyes.

“What do you dream about?”

I stiffened. That was one thing I wouldn’t divulge because I didn’t like what that made me. It made me one of them. The other goddesses currently glowering at me from across the deck, the girls in lust with Sully.

“Do you dream about him?” Jealousy whispered, very aware the other girls had fallen suspiciously quiet and watched us closely.

Another blush scalded my cheeks. I could lie but the truth was crimson on my face. “I don’t want to.”

She patted my hand. “I know. It’s not your fault that your mind disobeys.”

“I should dream about my boyfriend.”

“You can dream about anyone you want. That’s the beauty of a dream...you’re not hurting anyone.”

I dropped my gaze, wincing against the sudden pain in my chest. “I’m hurting myself.”

“Maybe, but only because something inside you senses something inside him.” She reclined in her chair, still keeping her voice low. “You can’t help it if something’s going on between you two.” Flicking a glance at the other goddesses, she murmured, “You should’ve seen him when he came out of the bathroom. He looked as if he’d tear the room apart. I’ve never seen him that...hungry.”

I froze. “You saw him? After...after—”

He kissed me.

Do I dare say it?

Was it worth the risk or guaranteed suicide?

She waited for me to continue, her gaze steady and clear. She was either the best actress in the world, hiding her pettiness and envy, or she honestly had no feelings for our overseer.

“What happened in there?” Her question ached with secrecy, a sisterhood that made me weak and protected at the same time.

“I...he...” I licked my lips, trying to figure out how to tell her that a single kiss had shattered me, woken me up, and shoved me headfirst into the possibility that Sully might not just be a nightmarish part of my life that I had to endure but a fundamental piece to fix it. That in a single heartbeat, I’d felt more wanted, more devoured, more powerful than ever before. That something had happened past lust and longing...something that would not only destroy me but ruin Sully too.

“I don’t think we’ve been introduced.”

I wrenched my gaze from Jealousy’s, hating that our nucleus of confessions had been rudely popped. A girl from the beach the other night, Jupiter or Neptune, I couldn’t remember which, leered down, her hip cocked, her see-through kimono revealing a willowy, sexy body clad in a golden one piece that made her voluptuous attributes seem as if they were poured from priceless metal.

“Nep, this is Jinx.” Jealousy leaned back in her chair, a trace of irritation bracketing her mouth. “Jinx, this is Neptune, Jupiter, Calico, and Jewel.”

The four women who’d traded their table to loom over ours smiled thin, judgy grins. As four, they chanted, “Hello, Goddess Jinx.”

I nodded politely. “Hello.”

The chocolate-skinned one, Calico, came closer, eyeing me up. Her initial stare smouldered with aggression, but then a smug smile tugged her lips, her judgement slipping into manipulation.

She didn’t see me as a threat. Didn’t think little ole me with my long boring brown hair and colourless grey eyes could ever steal Sully’s attention.

And, in reality, she was right.

If Neptune was poured from gold, then Calico was carved from obsidian. Her skin glowed a rich, flawless ebony, welcoming the sun to make her gleam, only to absorb its rays rather than let it mar her. The stunning white bikini popped against her colouring; the amethyst sarong around her hips, tied in a knot and split up her thigh, made her a walking poster for illicit longing.

“So...you’ve had your introduction into Euphoria.” Calico ran a hand through her chin-length black hair. “How was it? Did you picture someone from your past or the master who bought you?”

Jealousy released a long-suffering sigh. “Girl, not everyone has the hots for Sinclair.”

“Only those who are blind.” Calico smiled tightly. “Or those who lower themselves to sweeping floors and cooking lunch. If you want to stay on as a pittance paid staff member, Jealousy, be my guest. But I plan on staying as an equal.”

“You know he doesn’t let anyone stay past four years.”

“I’ll be the first.” Calico’s shoulders braced. “You’ll see. I’ll make him change his mind.”

“Yeah, good luck with that.” Jealousy snorted under her breath, antagonising her with far more bravery than I had. “He’s not interested in you.” She scanned her gaze over the four stunning women caging us in. “He’s not interested in any of us.”

“How do you know?” The girl I hadn’t met, Jewel, with her chestnut red curls asked. Rake thin, she wore her green one-piece with silver beads dripping down her chest with svelte sex appeal. “It could be him in Euphoria. Anytime we get plugged into that thing, we don’t know who we’re sleeping with.”

“That’s true.” Jealousy nodded calmly. “But why would he hide if he wanted you? You live here. He doesn’t have to pay for your charms. He doesn’t have to take his entire body and code it to become something else just for you to have sex with him.” Her gaze narrowed. “I happen to know that even when a goddess creeps into his bed and wakes him up with a hand on his cock, he still refuses to sleep with them.”

Calico shot ramrod straight. Her eyes blazed with hate.

I didn’t need to ask if the goddess in question had been her.

Jealousy coiled through my chest at the thought of her touching Sully, only for me to curse myself for feeling possessive. Possessive over a man who’d purchased me, trapped me, whored me.

What is wrong with you, Ellie?

“He’s a gentleman. That’s all.” Calico’s nose rose into the sky. “He wouldn’t—”

“Wait, what did you say? Did you just call him a gentleman?” Jealousy’s belly laugh cut her off. She didn’t hold back, her chuckle condescending and rude. “You call him a gentleman? Oh, my God. Come on, girl. He paid money for your life. He’s farmed you out to hundreds of men in the past three-and-a-half years. He’s made a fortune while you’ve been on your back with a dick in your mouth. Is that a gentleman?” She laughed again, winking at me. “Man, I must be old-fashioned ’cause I thought to earn that title you had to do things like care for someone, protect them from harm, put them first, and never ever share them with other people.”

She rolled her eyes as Calico glowered. “Don’t idolize the man who only sees you as a payday, Calico. Take the gifts, treasure the memories, enjoy the Euphoria ride, but don’t fool yourself that you won’t be flying home in six months and you’ll be back to working in some office or McDonald’s and struggling to fit in to blandness after living in a false paradise.”

I sat dumbfounded.

When Sully had introduced me to Jealousy, warning me it would likely be my one and only friendship, I hadn’t planned on her feistiness. That she hadn’t taken being an outcast from their little clique as anything but a blessing.

These girls were the mean wannabes from high-school. The ones who were unfortunate enough to be stolen and snatched from a life rich in attention and opportunities, only to find themselves dumped into an existence where every wish was delivered...in return for one thing.

To be worshipped.

And adored.

And ruthlessly used.

Measured, masculine footfalls sounded behind me. My skin prickled with knowledge. My heart flurried with awareness.

Sully.

God, why was I so attuned to him? Why could I signal him out just by his footsteps? Why did my entire body go into shock, heightened and hurried, fight and flight mingling with a complex recipe of hate and heat?

I hated how his presence made every part of me sit up, tingle, and crave to be acknowledged. To be touched. To be wanted.

My hands balled in my lap as I did my best to fight off the electricity that slipped over my shoulders and down into my core, a live wire connecting him to me, transmitting things we both refused to admit.

Every set of eyes locked onto Sully as his shadow fell over mine. I fought the urge to hide under the table, flicking a quick look at Jealousy who smiled conspiratorially my way.

I didn’t move. I didn’t spin to face him. I didn’t want anything to do with him.

He should’ve stayed away. I should’ve done more to stay out of his orbit.

I waited for Pika to flutter with his attitude and comical authority. Only, no chirps or parrot chatter sounded, only the brusque, powerful breath of a man I wished I was immune to.

“Good morning, goddesses.”

My skin showered in goosebumps. My belly clenched and heart raced.

Jealousy noticed, her smile widening.

Dammit.

Calico instantly lost her stick-up-her-ass pose and slipped into sensual. “Good morning, Sullivan.”

“Morning, Sullivan,” the other goddesses parroted.

“What brings you to Divinity this morning?” Jupiter purred.

Jealousy rolled her eyes, reaching for her muesli and inserting a huge spoonful into her mouth. If that wasn’t a clear indication that she felt nothing toward Sully, I didn’t know what would. She basically shovelled food and chewed as if watching a highly entertaining telenovela right before her, allowing the rest of us to provide the script and screw-ups.

“I’m ticking off things on my to-do list,” Sully replied in a toneless, chilly voice.

“Can I be on your to-do list?” Neptune murmured.

He didn’t reply, his shadow staying firmly over me.

“I suggest you run along and spend your time elsewhere.” His suit rustled as he stepped closer, coming to my side. His tall frame, his overbearing presence, it all pressed me deeper into my chair.

I flatly refused to look up. I bowed my head, encouraging loose hair to curtain my vision. Had he heard what they’d said about him? Did he see my reaction to him?

My determination to run swelled to unbearable.

I couldn’t allow myself to continue feeling this way. Dreaming this way. Being this utterly stupid. If someone had divined my future and told me that I’d be kidnapped, sold into slavery, and been idiotic enough to feel anything but loathing toward the man trapping me in servitude, I would’ve slapped myself. I would’ve been so disappointed.

I am so disappointed.

The girls looked as if they’d refuse, but Sully growled low in his chest. “Leave. I won’t ask again.”

With a piercing, hateful glance at me, the four glided away, their hips swaying, their femininity leaving a trail of lusty gossamer-like silver snail tracks.

Jealousy went to stand, but Sully muttered, “You can stay. Finish your breakfast.”

She slowly relaxed back into the chair, unobtrusively picking up her e-reader and becoming falsely engrossed in the blank screen.

Sully moved to face me. His shadow no longer cloaked me, allowing the hot sunshine to do its best to rid my traitorous goosebumps.

Without a word, he placed a black box on the table in front of me.

I froze.

Jealousy sucked in a breath, despite her attempt at giving us privacy.

When I didn’t move, Sully grunted, “For you.”

Bracing myself, I tilted my chin.

Our eyes instantly locked. Two mirroring pieces, knotting together, plaiting together, unable to be undone. My heart malfunctioned, skipping and kicking, pounding so hard my ribcage became its drum.

His throat worked as he swallowed. For a second, I thought he’d leave. His to-do list had been ticked. I wasn’t worthy of more time.

The stormy, icy look on his face remained from dealing with his other wayward goddesses. But in a flash, he bent forward, fisted my hair, and jerked my ear to his mouth. “Open your gift, Jinx...you earned it.” He taunted me cruelly, but it only added gasoline to my flaming blood.

I bit my lip as my skin ignited with lust.

Jealousy was right.

After elixir and Euphoria and the rampant hunger of my unchained libido, I wasn’t just Sully’s slave, I was my own.

His thumb traced the base of my skull while his other fingers buried themselves deeper into my hair.

I went instantly wet.

No question.

No doubt.

Just need.

I forgot about Jealousy sitting right there. I forgot about the other goddesses who might be watching. All I could think about was him. His touch. His scent. His power.

Coconut and salt shot up my nose. I fought everything I had not to moan. Not to turn my head and meet his lips with mine.

His nose nuzzled my ear, his breath hot and sinful. “I jerked off to you this morning.” His voice fed confessions into my ear, secret and soft. Jealousy didn’t have a clue, and I didn’t stand a chance.

His hold tightened, burning my scalp where he held me. “I tried to stop myself. I ignored the unbearable ache in my cock.” His teeth slipped threateningly around my lobe, his breath caught, struggling to inhale, just like he’d stolen all the air from me. “I don’t masturbate to a goddess. Ever. Yet...fuck, I couldn’t help myself.”

Biting my ear, he murmured, “Want to know why? Why I fisted myself? Why it only took me seconds to come?”

I shook my head, swallowing and panting, trying to tug away. My mind swam with images of him spread on his bed. Naked. His belly clenched. His fist wrapped around his massive erection.

My bikini briefs became embarrassingly damp.

I struggled harder to get away. I needed distance, but he held me firm, kissing the highly sensitive skin behind my ear. “I couldn’t stop because another man told me that you’re the best he’s ever had. That he’ll never forget fucking you. That he gave you a piece of his heart.”

His voice turned angry and frostbitten. “I got...jealous.” He bit the word into pieces, ripped out its entrails, and threw the rest into a fire. A fire that licked down my neck and over my nipples, scratching deeper into my core.

Throwing me away, he stood to his tall height and wiped his mouth with a shaky hand. He didn’t shake from weakness. He shook from undiluted, raw need.

He infected me with it.

He cursed me with it.

I shuddered as he snatched the box from the table, ripped it open, and tipped something bright and blingy into my lap.

The teal of my dress caught it, spinning rainbows and unblemished glitter.

A diamond.

A huge rock of a gemstone that shimmered with expensive splendour.

I didn’t need to ask if it was real. The brilliance of such a stone couldn’t be fake.

“That’s from the man who fell in love with you three nights ago.” His handsome face twisted with a savage sneer. “First time in Euphoria and you’ve earned a forty-thousand-dollar diamond. Four days until your next serve, Jinx. Let’s see if every man falls in love with you...or if it’s just one.”

With a sadistic, spiteful look, he spun and stalked away.

Only once he’d vanished down his immaculate orchid-frosted pathway did I manage to breathe. To look around. To notice Jealousy had gone. The other goddesses had disappeared.

And I sat all alone, in a wet patch caused by his voice, clutching a diamond worth more than I’d ever earned in my life.

A diamond given in lieu of a man’s heart.