Chapter 2

Kate's POV

Coming back home from lectures I tossed my backpack on the floor and called out, “Mr. William? Are you home?” But the mansion was quiet—too quiet.

Curiosity got the better of me. Maybe he was upstairs? I walked toward his room, noticing the door was slightly open. Pushing it gently, I stepped inside.

The room looked exactly like I expected—rich wood, a faint scent of cologne, everything tidy and… serious.

Then I saw it: a small door in the corner, almost hidden in shadow.

My heart skipped. What the hell?

I couldn’t stop myself. I turned the knob and slipped inside.

The room was dim, but I could make out all kinds of strange stuff: cuffs, chains, leather straps, paddles, whips… and some kind of bench with thick straps on it.

My cheeks instantly flushed. What is this place? I felt a crazy mix of shock and excitement.

Images flashed in my head—me, strapped down, feeling the sting of a whip, looking up into William’s eyes.

Shaky, I spun around to leave. That’s when I heard the door open behind me.

Mr William stepped in, and my breath caught.

“What are you doing here?” His voice was calm, but there was something sharp in it.

I stammered, “I—uh—just… I thought you were home. I wanted to ask you something…” My face burned as I quickly backed away.

He glanced at the hidden door, then smirked just a little. “Don’t wander where you don’t belong.”

I didn’t wait around. I practically ran out of the room, legs trembling.

Leaning against the door, I tried to calm my pounding heart.

Why does just seeing him make me feel like this?

Back in my room, I collapsed on the bed, my mind spinning.

Okay, Kate, I told myself, you’re overreacting. It’s just some weird collection of kinky stuff.

But my pulse wouldn’t slow. My cheeks were still hot.

Leather cuffs. Chains. Whips. What the hell do people even do with those? I felt this strange, fluttery feeling in my stomach.

What if he uses those on someone? Or worse… on me?

I shook my head, trying to push it away.

“No. No way. He’s way older than me. And I have Jeremy. I’m not that kind of girl.”

But the truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. About him. About what it might feel like to be close to someone so confident, so in control.

My fingers bit my lip. Why does it make me feel scared and excited at the same time?

I grabbed my phone and stared at it, tempted to call Gloria for advice—or just to distract myself.

Instead, I texted Jeremy.

“Hey, miss you. Wish you were here.”

I hit send and sank back against my pillow.

College was already way more complicated—and way hotter—than I expected.....

The dining room was huge and fancy, but all I could focus on was William sitting across from me, calm and composed like he owned the place—which, of course, he did.

He smiled and said, “Kate. Glad you could make it.”

I felt my cheeks heat up. “Glad you could make it” — like he was happy just to see me. Was that a hint?

When he gestured toward the chair, he said, “Please, sit. Dinner’s just about ready.”

“Please, sit”—such a polite invitation. But maybe it was an invitation to… more than dinner?

As I sat down, he asked, “So, how are you finding your first days at college? Not too overwhelming, I hope?”

I caught the sparkle in his eyes. “Not too overwhelming” — was he subtly asking if I could handle a little excitement?

I smiled, trying to sound casual. “It’s been good. A bit tiring, but exciting. New town, new people... everything’s different.”

He nodded slowly and said, “Change can be good. It shakes things up.”

He’s talking about me, right? Shaking things up in his life... or in mine?

I felt my pulse quicken as I noticed how relaxed and confident he was. I couldn’t stop stealing glances at his hands—strong, steady.

Then he said, “I hope you’re settling in alright here. The house can feel a little big when you’re on your own.”

“A little big when you’re on your own...” Was that a hint? Was he offering to keep me company? Or was it a warning?

I bit my lip, suddenly shy. “Yeah, it’s definitely different from home.”

He smiled, softer this time. “If you ever need anything, Kate, you just say the word.”

“You just say the word” — like I could say the word and he’d be at my beck and call.

I forced a laugh, trying to seem casual, but inside I was spinning.

Why do all his innocent words feel like they’re loaded with something... more?

Dinner was delicious, but I barely tasted it. My mind was buzzing with possibilities — and maybe a little danger.

Between bites, I decided to break the silence with something I’d been curious about. Looking him right in the eye, I asked, “So, William... why are you still unmarried? Do you ever plan on settling down?”

He leaned back, a slow grin curling on his lips. “Marriage? Not my thing. I think it’s just a trap—a prison for people who don’t know what freedom means.”

I blinked, intrigued and a little amused. “So... you have a girlfriend then?”

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. “No. I don’t.”

I blinked, my mind racing. Wait… if he doesn’t have a girlfriend, then who was he using all those... those devices on?

The question hovered on my lips, but before I could ask, William’s eyes locked onto mine, and with a sly grin, he asked, “What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?”

I flushed and quickly answered, “Yeah. Jeremy. We’ve been together since high school. He’s amazing—loyal, caring. Basically everything.”

I made sure my tone said: I’m taken. Don’t even think about it.

But instead of looking bothered, Mr William raised an eyebrow and teased, “Does your father know you’ve been messing around with some boy all this time?”

I nearly choked on my wine, caught completely off guard.

I blinked, trying to process what he meant. “Wait, what do you mean by ‘messing around’?” I asked, my voice half curious, half teasing.

He leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Come on, Kate. You’re not a little girl. You should know exactly what I’m talking about.”

I bit my lip, fishing for more, trying to read between the lines. “Honestly... I don’t know.”

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “Never mind then.”

Then, as if switching gears, he grinned and said, “Listen, you’re free to invite your friends over anytime. Even your boyfriend—I don’t mind.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change. Was that an invitation? Or a challenge?

Either way, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Mr William… but my heart was definitely racing...

A week later.

Feeling bored in my room, I tried to lose myself in a book, flipping through the pages as if the words could drown out the thoughts swirling in my head.

But then something caught my eye—a flicker of movement outside the window.

Curious, I got up and walked over, peering out into the night.

There he was—Mr William—in the swimming pool. But he wasn’t alone.

A young woman, laughter dancing between them, swam beside him.

Who is she?

I was still trying to figure out when their lips suddenly met—slow, soft, then urgent—like they were making love right there in the water.

Don't they have no shame? I frowned.

However a strange flutter stirred inside me—something I couldn’t name, a mix of jealousy, excitement, thrill and confusion.

I watched as Mr William and the young woman stayed in the pool, their bodies pressed close, hands exploring like they were diving into something even more intense. I was getting goosebumps just watching them.

The way they moved—the slow, teasing touches, the way her fingers trailed down his chest—it was like they were about to get even more freaky right there in the water and my body was reacting to it like I was the one being touched and romanced.

Fuck, I could feel my nipples getting hard and there was a slight thumbing feeling in-between my legs that caused me to pressed my legs together.

Mr William positioned himself behind the lady and I knew right there he was about to fuck her!

My breath hitched.

I had to tear myself away from the window before I saw too much.

I hurried to the bed and covered myself with both the blanket and pillows but it was a constant torment—the kind that teased my mind and refused to let go.

Every few seconds, my eyes darted back to the window, craving just one more glimpse. Wondering what they were doing. How is he fucking her? Hard or slow? Rough or gentle?

My body betrayed me, heat pooling low in my belly and the thumbing in-between my legs became almost unbearable. I was freaking wet just by the thought of Mr William fucking that lady.

I curled up together hugging the pillow tight and wishing it could hug me back maybe just maybe it would kill this tension growing inside of me.

But how can he be this shameless having sex out in the pool? Doesn't he know someone can see them? Or was it his plan that I see them and start to crave having him? My best friend Gloria has warned me about old men tactics and I think it might just be working on me.

No! I have to focus.

“Don't think about them, don't think about that old man. You have a boyfriend.." I kept repeating to myself.

But the memory of them in the water—the way he looked, the way she touched him—lingered, igniting a fire in me that just seemed impossible to quench.