The corner of my mouth lifts into a half-smile. “Do you like verbal chastisement?” I ask. “Degradation?”
She parts her lips to reply, and I think the answer is yes, but then she drops her gaze. “I don’t know.”
“Look at me.”
She meets my eyes.
“Explain.”
“I’ve been called names before out of hatred. It always makes me flinch.”
I wonder if the person who hurt her was an old boyfriend, but a surge of possessiveness sours my mood. She hasn’t even agreed to be mine yet, so I hold back the questions until after she has decided to submit.
“Have you thought about my proposal?” I ask.
She glances toward the door before daring to meet my eyes. “You said that I could say no and still get my rent and tuition paid.”
“Correct.”
“Why?”
“Let’s just say there are worse ways to pay for one’s studies.” My molars tighten, and I shove back the faces of the rivals Crius ordered me to kill.
“Can I make a decision later?” At my raised brows, she shifts on her feet. “I mean, after we’ve played together. I want to see what I’m agreeing to—”
“That’s perfectly acceptable.” I incline my head.
“Alright then, let’s do it.”
“For the duration of the evening, you will call me ‘Sir.’ Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” she says with breathy enthusiasm. “I’m ready.”
“Wait for me outside the entrance to my playroom.” I point at the door that leads to the basement.
She pulls back her shoulders. “Let’s go.”
“On your knees.” I raise a finger.
Phoenix rears back. “What?”
“Crawl to the playroom on your hands and knees.” I enunciate each syllable.
Her mouth opens and closes, looking like she wishes to protest.
I tilt my head, pulling my brows together into a mockery of confusion. “Did you think being my submissive would be all trinkets and sexual pleasure?”
“But I’m holding a bottle—”
“I’ll transport it downstairs,” I say with a smirk.
Her face falls. “But what about dinner?”
“Are you hungry?” I ask.
She flushes. “No.”
“No, what?” I fold my arms across my chest.