I steady my breathing, allowing the pleasure of Dorian’s tongue and Archie’s touch to distract me from the flashbacks.And the intense, unyielding gaze Shaw offers as he cuts me tells me one thing.

I am not alone. And I will never be alone again.

‘Five.’

Dorian eases in two fingers and slowly fucks me as his mouth works me.

I shudder as the pleasure builds and mixes with the pain I share with Shaw.

‘Keep your eyes on me,’ Shaw whispers.

Cut.

‘Six.’

Archie’s fingernails glide down my abdomen, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake, before leaning down and taking my nipple into his mouth.

Cut.

‘Seven.’

‘Good girl.’

Cut.

Dorian adds another finger and sucks harder.

‘Eight,’ I moan, my body trembling with need and heat.

Cut.

I can’t form words as I look desperately into Shaws eyes, seeking out his comfort. His assurance.

He nods.

‘Nine!’ I cry out, and as I cum, he cuts again.

I pant, letting the pleasure wash through me.

‘Ten,’ Shaw completes, smiling as he watches me ride out my orgasm. ‘A few months of that should help the flashbacks, hmm?’

I start to cry, overwhelmed by everything. I know he didn’t want to do that. But he did because I asked him to.

I loved putting my trust in him. My safety. My consent.

It’s a huge relief.

He kisses me and stands, watching as the shallow cuts already begin to heal.

Dorian leans over me and eases his cock into me. I blink up at him, adjusting to him as he enters me up to his hilt.

His front meets mine.

‘Eyes on me, Poppet. Ready?’

I nod, and he lowers himself on top of me, resting a huge amount of his weight on my frame. His hands grip the table's edge above my head so hard the wood creaks.

Images of him standing over me, placing those crushing stones on my body, flicker behind my eyes.