“Get up.”
I wiped away my tears and slowly stood up straight.
“Turn around.”
I closed my eyes, not wanting to face him. But I knew I had no choice. Like he had told me a thousand times, he owned me. I had to obey.
As I turned, I kept my gaze down to the floor.
“Look at me.”
More silent tears fell as I gathered the courage to look at him.
His face no longer showed any trace of anger. In fact, his eyes were soft, compassionate, as if staring at an innocent little lamb that only deserved kindness.
His palm came up to my cheek, and I couldn’t stop myself from nestling deeper into his touch.
“I will not tolerate such actions. I will not allow you to mar your own body. As I said before, that is my right alone.”
With his thumb, he wiped away a lingering tear. “Now dry your tears, square your shoulders, and honor me in everything that you do. Understood?”
I nodded, and he pulled his hand away from my face before turning around and walking toward the door. “And, Tatum,” he said over his shoulder, “you will not touch yourself. You will not pleasure yourself. The next time you come will be with my permission.”
I watched as he took the bedroom key out of his pocket, slipped it into the keyhole…and locked the door.
He turned around. “And I’ll be here watching you, making sure I am not disobeyed.”
Chapter 5
CASTELLO
I’d been angry many times in my life. From mad, to furious, to enraged. But today, when I walked in on Tatum slicing her own skin, I was livid. There were no words to describe the levels of anger I felt when I saw her holding that piece of glass, her thigh stained red. I knew she was a cutter, that she had mutilated her body before. I was drawn to her like a demon to a sinner because of it. But the sight of her holding that glass, actually witnessing her doing herself harm, made me react in the worst possible way. I wanted to punish her. I wanted to tie her hands together for the rest of her fucking life so she would never be able to do that again.
Yes, I fucking loved the look of euphoria on her face as I sliced my blade across her skin.
Yes, my cock grew hard when her ivory skin was stained with crimson while her body trembled with pleasure.
I was a sick, twisted son of a bitch, but I never wanted to see her do herself harm again. Ever.
I stood by the door and watched as blood trickled down her thigh…just like the tears that slipped down her cheeks. Her tears did nothing to lessen the anger that still festered inside me.
“You need to clean that.”
She wiped her tears with the back of her hand, and without a word she walked to the bathroom. Just as she was about to close the door, I blocked the door and pushed it open.
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“Why? Because you think I’ll cut myself again, or because you want to make sure I don’t give myself that which you deny me?”
I leaned against the doorframe and crossed my arms in front of my chest. “Both.”
With a scoff she turned around, and as she walked to the cabinet, my gaze moved down to her naked ass, the red handprints clearly visible on her ivory skin.
She grabbed the first aid kit and sat down on the corner of the bath. When she looked up at me, our gazes locked, and I could see the resentment, the bitterness she felt toward me at that moment. But the familiar buzz of lust mixed with toxic anticipation still pulsed between us. It was powerful, something no amount of hate or dislike could ruin. It felt like hours had passed before she abruptly opened her legs, the movement causing me to glance down.
My cum, along with her need for release, pooled between her legs and trickled down her thighs. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make me feel so fucking good to see my seed on her skin. To see the wetness between her legs, proof that her body craved the sexual relief only I could give her. And by God, I wanted to give it to her. I wanted to grab her and push my cock so deep inside her, giving her the release she craved. I wanted to hear her scream as pleasure wracked through her entire body, feel her tremble against me.
But she had to learn.