Owned(36)

“Yes. Very much like that.”

“And they just let you?” The concept is foreign to me.

“Yes, Ellie. Some women crave to be controlled. It’s a lifestyle that isn’t always understood. But in this house it’s done in a safe environment with likeminded people. Happy you asked now?”

“I guess,” I reply blankly, trying to digest this new information.

“Not what you were expecting to hear?” he asks casually, as he fiddles with my hair.

“No,” I divulge truthfully.

“It never is.” He laughs. “I’ll tell you more about my upbringing and Mansion one day. But for now,” he claps his hands like it’s back to business, “we need to get going. Kayne is going to flip. Like lose his shit completely when he sees you.”

“You think?” I bite my lip, glancing down at my … outfit? No, ensemble.

“I know,” he says confidently. “I’ve known Kayne a long time. And I know what he likes.”

I frown, now knowing what I do about Jett, Mansion, and Kayne, I suddenly feel a little inadequate. “Has he been with many women?”

Jett’s mouth falls open. “Umm?”

“That many, huh?” I respond insecurely.

“No, not exactly. It’s just this lifestyle allows for an open tap of unadulterated pleasure. He’s never hurt for company.”

“Then why did he take me?” That is the question I feel I will never find out the answer to. Jett rests his hands on my arms. “You’re going to know soon enough, sweet thing. And it’s something Kayne has to explain.”

“I don’t like the way that sounds, Jett.”

“And you shouldn’t.”

I swallow hard, a sudden upshot of fear grabbing me. “He keeps telling me things are going to change. Is he going to sell me?”

Jett’s pretty aqua eyes bulge. “Where did you get a ridiculous idea like that?”

I shrug. “I’m a slave. Slaves get sold.”

Jett shakes his blond head. “No more erotic suspense novels for you. And I can say with absolute certainty he would never sell you. But he is afraid he won’t be able to keep you.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to. All will be revealed in time. “Jett walks over to my bed and picks up my collar. “Final accessories.” He fastens it around my neck then goes to the armoire and opens one side of the double doors. He returns with rhinestone wrist cuffs attached to several strings of thick crystals. One string he fastens to the D-ring on the front of my collar, then he clamps each of my wrists. I’m a dolled-up pet. A kitten on an ultra-extravagant leash.

“Perfect. It’s time, sweet thing.”

“Time for what?”

“You’re unveiling. This party is important. Be on your best behavior. Listen to Kayne. Stay by his side no matter what.”

“He has me on a leash, where do you think I’m going to go?”

Jett snickers. “I’ve become quite fond of you, little one. And that snarky mouth.”

“It’s all I have left. My snark.”

Jett looks at me with a melancholy expression. His acute eyes sad. They remind me of a puppy in the pound. I wish I understood what he was feeling. I want to ask, but I think I’ve exhausted my allotment of questions for the day. I’m meant to live in the dark. And Jett and Kayne are experts at keeping me there.

Jett leads me toward the door by my shiny new jewelry.

“Where are we going?” I ask curiously. Kayne is the only one who takes me for walks.

“Kayne’s room.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re his birthday surprise.”

“It’s his birthday? Is that what the party is for?”

“Not really. He’ll probably decapitate me for telling you. But I don’t give a fuck.” He looks back and winks at me. I follow Jett through the dark hallway with the deep purple carpet and hand-blown chandeliers toward the sweeping staircase. I can hear music playing faintly from the first floor as we walk down one flight of stairs to the second level.

“Wait till you see this party. It’s my best yet. Going to be a real bang.”

Something in my gut jolts from way he says bang. I don’t like it one bit.

We stop at a huge wooden door where two very large men are exiting.

“Everything set up?” Jett asks them.

“Done,” the tall blond responds. He reminds me of Thor with his brawn and long wavy hair.

“Excellent.”

Jett ushers me inside Kayne’s room and it strikes me as strange being here. The only environment I know him in is my room and our walks around the mansion. I observe my surroundings, noting it’s very much a man’s space. Understated, with dark cherry furniture and glossy wood floors. Against the back wall is an impressive canopy bed with maroon bedding. Very majestic, very commanding, very magisterial. Just like my owner. What I find most peculiar is the giant birdcage in the middle of the room.

“We have to hurry. Kayne takes a long shower, but I don’t want to run the risk of him walking out and ruining the surprise.”

“What surprise?”

“Why you, of course.” Jett leads me inside the enormous cage with shackles hanging in the center. He removes one pair of cuffs from my wrists and replaces them with another. My heart races as I dangle dead center in the middle of the cage.

I feel like a virgin sacrifice.

“These cages are decorations for the party. I thought it would be a fun birthday present for Kayne to have his own captive angel. That’s the theme.” He smiles. The irony of his statement is not lost on me.

“I’m already his captive,” I remind him dryly.

“True. But I think deep down, you like it. You like serving him. And obeying him. And being dominated by him.”

I don’t respond. Partly because I don’t want to admit he’s right, and partly because I think my affections go way deeper than like.

“You look entrancing, sweet thing.” He pulls a red ribbon out of his pocket and ties it in a bow around my chest. He then pulls a thin chain out of his other pocket. He’s like a walking vending machine tonight. He takes the delicate cord and weaves it through my fingers suspended above my head.

“What’s that?” I look up.

“Kayne will know.” He smirks devilishly, and right then I know I’m in trouble.

“My work here is done. I’ll see you at the party, gorgeous girl. Behave.” He taps my nose playfully with his index finger.

“I don’t know how much trouble I can get in just hanging around.” I pull on the restraints. If it wasn’t for my heels, I’d be stretched and struggling on my toes.

“Well, just in case you get any ideas.” He winks, closing the cage door. Then leaves the room. All I can do is wait. Now that it’s just me, I can hear the hushed sound of the shower running. I jingle the chain around my fingers trying to figure out what it is. But all I see is silver metal. The wait for Kayne becomes suspenseful. I wonder what he’ll think of Jett’s present? What he’ll think when he finds me in his room. He’s never brought me here. Never even suggested it. So I wonder idly if he’ll feel like I’m encroaching on his personal space. I’d rather like to avoid him taking out his displeasure with Jett on my behind. I tell myself he won’t do that. Please don’t. Please don’t. I hear the shower turn off, and I tense in my chains. I drop my head submissively as I wait for Kayne to find me.

“Well, what do we have here?” I hear his voice and look up through my eyelashes. He’s walking toward me slowly. The hunter stalking his prey. His eyes are wide and there’s a mischievous grin on his face. “A sexy little kitten in a cage, just for me?”

“Jett said I was your birthday surprise.”

“My birthday? He spilled the beans?”

“Yes, Kayne.”

“Look at me, kitten.”

I raise my head. He’s standing in front of me in just a towel and tempting smile.

“This may be the best birthday present I ever received.”

My cheeks heat. He looks like a hungry cat about to devour a helpless canary.

“Watch me get dressed.” My eyes follow him as he moves through his room, pulling out clothes from his dresser and closet. He lays everything on the bed, and then discards his towel. He’s standing in front of me stark naked, moving gradually so I get a good look at every inch of his hard sculpted body and the tattoos on his chest, arm, and side. He’s freakin’ drool worthy. I’ll never deny it.

“Like what you see, kitten?” Kayne asks flirtatiously.

“Yes, Kayne,” I reply with a raspy voice. Just looking at him has my mouth dry and body responding.

“Good.” He smiles, then proceeds to get dressed. This feels so intimate. Watching him in the privacy of his room. Seeing him in a completely different light than I’ve ever seen him before. Once he’s dressed in a plain white dress shirt and white pants, he joins me in the cage; his shirt partially unbuttoned.

I stare up silently, while he stares down.

“I guess I should unwrap you now.” Kayne tugs lightly on the ribbon and the bow falls apart.

He drinks me in from head to toe, scanning his luminous eyes over my face, my chest, my torso, my legs, licking his lips as he goes. It’s all at once nerve-racking, stimulating, and sexy as hell.