The Unfortunates(36)

“Show me.”

Well, I wasn’t expecting that. “S-show you?”

“I came for you. Now I want you to come for me.”

Now I manage to shake my head. “I can’t… I don’t know how.” I do know how it happens, but I don’t know how to do it myself. “I’ve never touched myself long enough to… you know.”

He quirks a brow and puts the last berry into his mouth. “To achieve orgasm?”

I feel my cheeks heat up even under the hot stream. The ‘O’ word seems so dirty. Besides, I’d never admit to having an orgasm even if I have had one. Unfortunates are not allowed to experience the same level of pleasure as a Fortunate—unless you’re a male Unfortunate. That can’t be helped. I shake my head again.

“We’re not allowed to,” I state, feeling a little more confident.

“Haven’t we already established that I’ll decide what you can and can’t do?”

Oh, god. This isn’t going to end well. “Yes, Master Kade.”

He saunters closer until his shoe rests on the lip that stops the shower door from swinging both ways. Mist from the water sprays onto the top of his shoe and sticks to the leg of his pants.

“I’ll make you a deal, Unfortunate. If you say the word for me, I’ll give you one.”

Give me one? Oh… OH! He means an orgasm. Kade smiles as shock registers on my face.

“Now?”

“Whenever you want. All you got to do is say the word.”

I square my shoulder. It’s a dangerous move, but he’s out of his mind if he thinks I’ll willingly ask for one. Not all of us Unfortunates lack humility or courage. “No.”

“No?”

The surprised look on his face sends a thrill down my spine. I can feel it boiling in my blood, an addiction forming. The thought of defying him—of having some kind of control—makes me feel like I’m standing naked on a cliff being whipped by sharp rain as a cyclone approaches. The invincible feeling quickly fades when his expression darkens and he steps closer and closer until my back hits the wall and I can’t move anymore. Water sprays down the back of his shirt, but he doesn’t care. He cares about intimidating me, but not about ruining his stylish leather shoes.

“Watch yourself, Unfortunate.” He brings a berry to his mouth and licks it before pressing it to my chest. Kade keeps his volcanic eyes on mine as he moves the berry across my skin. “I can make your life heaven…” he drops the berry and plucks a new one from his hand. He brings it to my lips and following his lead, I lick the berry. With a smirk that forces me to hold my breath, he presses it against my skin, continuing his drawing. “Or I can make your life a living hell.”

He drops the berry and I watch closely, still holding my breath, as he sucks his thumb between his lips and glides his wet tongue over the berry stain. “Choose wisely.”

He leans to the side, resting his shoulder against the glass, leaving me in full view of the large mirror bolted to the wall above the sink. My gaze zeroes in on my chest and sure enough, KADE SARIO is written across my chest in a purple-blue hue. My lips part as I expel a heavy breath and Kade looks down at my chest. This time, his lips curve into a beautiful smile—a smile I never thought possible on such a serious face.

“I wonder if Clive can make me a brand that size.” The smile falls from his mouth. “Perhaps if you can see it, you’ll remember exactly who you are, where you are, and who owns you.”

I glare at him, ignoring the way my chest rises and falls a little quicker than it should.

“Owns me?” I whisper, doing everything in my power to stop a frown from forming. “Like a possession?”

“Exactly, and if you knew what was good for you, you’d drop that sour expression from your face.”

I slide my teeth against each other. I can’t handle this. I can’t handle being under the shoe of a Fortunate. This isn’t my life. This isn’t me… A fire seeps under the surface of my skin—a dangerous fire. One that I’m certain is going to get me killed. “Or what? You’ll kill me?”

“Death would be too kind for an Unfortunate.” I flinch at his statement, and he surveys my face before gripping my shoulders. I wince as he digs his fingers in. “I told you to choose wisely, Nine, and you haven’t.”

He tugs me from the shower, my body still wet and my feet slippery against the tiles. “Wait! I’m sorry!” I plead, suddenly regretting my attitude towards him.

My pulse thrums in my ears as my heart thuds at an incredible speed. My feet slip over the tiles and into the living room. He stops us right in front of the fireplace. It’s unlit, but the remaining chunks of wood and black coal look just as threatening. He reaches down and pulls back one side of the safety gate.