“Fuck… you’re so tight,” Axel growled through gritted teeth, his voice thick with pleasure as Mia slowly lowered herself onto his throbbing cock. The stretch was intense. It had been years since she’d been this intimate with anyone, and the pressure, the heat, the way he filled her—it felt good. It almost scared her how good it felt.She took a moment to adjust to his size before beginning to move, hips rolling, testing different paces and angles, all while watching his face. Learn him. Know what he likes. Knowledge was power, and right now, Mia needed every ounce of control she could claw back. But Axel wasn’t going to make this easy. His expression stayed frustratingly composed, save for the flare of lust in his dark eyes. The tension in his jaw was the only tell of just how much he wanted to lose control.His hands lifted to her breasts, thumbs brushing over her nipples before gently tugging, pinching, teasing, sending sparks through her core as she moved her hips in wide circles.
The gentle click of the door woke Mia from a deep, dream-filled sleep. Romance had taunted her in her dreams, inspired by the book she’d drifted off reading. But the fantasy shattered when she saw him standing there—Axel—watching her from the foot of the bed. His stare was intense, unreadable, his dark gaze locked on the robe that had slipped open during the night, exposing the lacy red lingerie she’d foolishly put on for him earlier.Heat surged through her body as she rushed to cover herself, cheeks burning with shame and embarrassment. But when her eyes met his, that shame twisted into something else entirely. Desire, lust and need… hunger radiated from him. His chest rose and fell with every breath, his eyes tracking her every movement like a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce.“Darlin’,” he said lowly, his voice gravelly from drink or exhaustion—or both—“sorry about before. Had some business to take care of.”It was then Mia noticed the blood splatter on his crisp wh
Mia explored the hotel floor she had been given, trying to settle her nerves. The luxurious surroundings should have brought her comfort—a freestanding roll-top bath, a waterfall shower, cupboards filled with makeup and expensive skincare. Luxurious towels, neatly folded. Everything was pristine, carefully arranged like it had been prepared just for her. It was hard to feel like a prisoner in a place like this, but the weight in her stomach wouldn’t shift. No matter how beautiful the surroundings, she was still trapped.She took her time examining the makeup, needing something normal to focus on. After grabbing a towel, she turned on the shower and stepped under the warm stream. She stood still, letting the water wash over her, scrubbing the emotions from her skin, reminding herself of one thing: Stay strong. Play the game. Survive first, feel later.After drying off, she slipped into a pair of leggings and a long-sleeved top, choosing comfort over seduction. But the room… she couldn
Every wall was covered in rows of metal hooks and neatly arranged implements—floggers, ropes, cuffs, crops. The stark black walls gleamed under the low overhead lights, creating a mix of threat and seduction.No windows. No clocks. But cool air hummed from an overhead vent. Mia examined it quickly, testing for any weakness, her fingers working the edges—but no luck. Solid, reinforced. Another dead end.Think, Mia. Think.She barely had time to react before the door burst open.She jumped, spinning to face it, heartbeat racing—but forced herself to relax. She smoothed her dress, straightened her posture. If Axel wanted a show of weakness, he wasn’t getting it now.He entered, fresh clothes, the faint scent of whiskey clinging to him, rolling off his broad shoulders and sharp suit like static electricity.“On your knees, doll,” he said, his voice lower, darker. “I’ve had a long day, and I could use a little relief.”His hand toyed with his belt buckle as he stepped toward her, arrogance
Mia’s eyes snapped open.Darkness. A heavy, suffocating black.As her senses adjusted, she realised her vision was covered—soft, silky fabric pressing gently against her eyelids. She tried to lift her hands but couldn’t. Thick ropes dug into her wrists, pinning her to something solid beneath her.She moved her mouth—only to find it gagged with the same silky material, tied tight behind her head. Panic flared instantly in her chest, but then she realised her clothes were still on. Relief pulsed through her, shaky and thin, but there nonetheless.Stop. Breathe. Listen.Somewhere in the dark, footsteps echoed faintly, slow and steady, drawing closer. Then—click. The door. Keys. And locks sliding inside the doors structure.Mia’s stomach twisted.“Don’t you look beautiful all tied up and helpless, darlin’?” Axel’s voice purred through the shadows, rich with amusement, too smooth, too calm.He sat down beside her, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. Cool fingers brushed against
Mia’s hand was good enough to hold—for now. She scanned the table. All men. Typical. At least it would make it easier for her.Lauren had decided to sit this round out, swirling a gin in hand, cheeks flushed from drinking, eyes bright with mischief. She played the clueless card perfectly—leaning forward just enough, smiling just right—nudging the men into overconfidence. A tilt of her head here, a lazy grin there, and they all started betting like fools on garbage hands.Soon, players began folding one by one, unable to keep up with the mounting tension and Mia’s steady, unbothered expression. All except him.The man from last night.His gaze locked onto hers across the felt, unreadable, dangerous, intense. Mia felt the heat crawl up her throat, her skin tingling under the weight of that look.There was something… wrong about him. Gorgeous, yes. His nearly-black hair groomed perfectly, thick dark lashes framing eyes that should’ve belonged to a saint, not someone who radiated the kind