Chapter Nine

Ava hurriedly opened her mouth to explain herself, but Lucian silenced her with a soft “Shh.”

He slowly turned around to face her, his deep blue eyes locking onto hers without the slightest hint of emotion.

“Follow me.” That was all he said before turning away.

Ava obediently fell into step behind him, her heart pounding against her chest. She had no idea where he was taking her.

They climbed the staircase to the same floor where her bedroom was located. After walking a few more steps down the hallway, Lucian stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.

Without a word, he pushed it open and walked inside.

Ava hesitated for only a second before following him.

The room was spacious and dimly lit. The walls were painted with red and black, and the furniture was mostly black leather. A king-sized bed occupied one corner of the room, its dark silk sheets perfectly arranged.

In the center stood a padded bench with straps attached to the sides. Against one wall was an X-shaped wooden frame fitted with leather cuffs for the wrists and ankles. A small cabinet nearby held items such as ropes, handcuffs, blindfolds, paddles, and whips, all arranged neatly. The room was clean and organized, giving the impression of a private space designed for control and restraint rather than an ordinary bedroom.

Ava’s gaze slowly wandered around the room, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Ava had a rough knowledge of the entire situation. She stood at the center of the room while Lucian stood a few steps away from her. He was holding a cane. He was deep and they stared back at her.

“What time is your curfew?” He asked, slapping the cane on his palm.

Ava swallowed. “ It's 9 pm,” she answered.

Lucian nodded with a raised brow. “And when did you get home?”

“A few minutes after ten o,clock” said Ava.

He took a step closer to her, lowering his deep voice as he spoke. “Do you think you deserve to be punished?” He asked. His eyes pierced into her.

Ava was silent not knowing how to respond. But then his finger found her chin and slowly tilted her face up to meet him. “ If I don’t enforce my rules” he said quietly. “ then they mean nothing and if my rules mean nothing, you’re likely to get in trouble”. He said calmly.

“Stretch out your palms” the word was calm but final. Ava hesitated but slowly stretched out her hands and opened her palm.

Lucian circled her once. A humorless smile touched his lips. “ didn’t take you for the obedient type”.

Not when I have signed away my freewill, "Ava replied.

Lucian chuckled. “Right”. He raised the cane and tapped Ava’s palm. The tap was as light as feather Ava barely felt it touched. Ava raised her eyes to look at him. The man in front of her was completely different from the Lucian Blackwood she knew outside this room.

“Remember your safe words. Red means stop. Green means continue. Yellow if you need a break”.

Okay”, Ava replied

Lucian placed the cane under her chin slightly tilting her face. “ And when we’re in here, it is yes, boss. understood?”.

“Yes boss” Ava almost smiled.

He studied her for a moment and then set the cane aside. He put Ava hands down and stood behind her.

When Ava felt Lucian’s fingers slip gently into her hair, a shiver ran down her spine. His touch was surprisingly careful, his fingers moving slowly through her strands, Goosebumps blossomed across her skin, and she instinctively held her breath.

Then his fingertips began to massage her scalp.

The steady, unhurried motion eased the tension she hadn’t realized she was carrying. Her rigid shoulders gradually relaxed, and before she knew it, she let out the faintest sigh.

For a brief moment, she forgot why she was there.

Lucian gathered her hair behind her head with practiced ease, twisting it into a neat bun before securing it with a simple band.

As the last loose strands were tucked away, the graceful curve of her slender neck was left completely exposed.

His gaze lingered there for a quiet moment. Ava could feel his presence standing so close behind her. The warmth of his body and the steady rhythm of his breathing made her pulse quicken, leaving her acutely aware of every inch of space between them.

“What a slender neck you have,” Lucian murmured.

His deep, warm voice brushed against her ear, sending an unexpected flutter through Ava’s chest. A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes with a shy smile.

His hand slowly glided from the side of her neck to her shoulder. His touch was firm yet gentle, easing the stiffness from her muscles. As he continued the slow massage, the tension she had carried all day gradually melted away.

A soft, involuntary moan escaped her lips. The sound startled her. Flustered, Ava quickly covered her mouth with both hands, her face burning with embarrassment.

Lucian’s lips curved into the slightest smile.

“You don’t have to hide your feelings here,” he said quietly.

Ava slowly lowered her hands, still too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

“Yes, Boss,” she replied softly.

Lucian slowly slid the fabric from her shoulders.

The gown loosened and quietly slipped to the floor, pooling around her feet. Ava stood half naked in her matching undergarments, the only thing left between her and his unwavering gaze.

For a long moment, Lucian said nothing.

His eyes traveled over her with quiet intensity before he drew in a slow, measured breath. The calm expression on his face gradually hardened, his deep blue eyes growing darker as an unreadable emotion settled within them.

Ava burge, she let him drink her figure to his fill. she was very confident in her body. she remained exactly where she was, waiting for his next instruction.

He walked over to a leather-covered table in the corner of the room. Several neatly arranged implements rested on its surface.

After a brief glance, he picked up a slender cane with soft feathers attached to its tip. Turning around, he strode back and stopped in front of Ava, the cane resting loosely in his hand.

“Raise both of your hands,” Lucian instructed.

Without hesitation, Ava obeyed. She slowly lifted her arms above her head, remaining perfectly still as she waited for his next command.

Lucian raised the cane, using only the soft feathers at its tip. They lightly brushed against the side of her neck before gliding downward in an unhurried trail.

The delicate touch sent a faint shiver through Ava’s body.

As the feathers continued to trace along her skin, a pleasant tingling sensation spread across her, making her acutely aware of every gentle stroke. She instinctively drew in a slow breath, her fingers curling slightly as every one of her senses seemed to awaken beneath the feather-light touch.