I groan, my cheeks flushing as I squirm against the restraints. “Oh boy,” I mutter, my voice shaky. “Really glad I got caught.”

Kirk laughs, the sound deep and resonant, as he leans down, his tongue flicking out to tease me again. I moan, my body responding instantly, and I know I’m in for a long, unforgettable night.

CHAPTER 10

KARC

Istand at the top of the grand staircase, my golden scales catching the dim light as they shimmer faintly under the silk ropes that bind her. Raven dangles from the railing, suspended in a shibari masterpiece I’ve spent centuries perfecting. Her body is a living sculpture, folded and restrained in my suspension tie, her arms bent at sharp angles behind her back, her ankles tied to her thighs in a frogtie that accentuates the curves of her hips. The ropes around her chest squeeze just enough to make her gasp for breath, her skin flushed and gleaming with sweat.

The twin vibrating plugs inside her—one in her pussy, the other in her ass—are secured with a crotch rope that keeps them firmly in place. She shudders, squirming against the ropes, her body convulsing as another orgasm rips through her. Her lips part in a silent scream, and the ropes creak slightly under her movement.

"Two minutes, little bird," I say, my voice low and teasing as I begin my slow descent down the stairs. The sound of my footsteps echoes through the high-ceilinged foyer. "Then you must admit not only defeat, but that you are, in fact, impressed with my bondage skills."

"Not fair," she gasps, her voice trembling. Her body strains against the ropes, the muscles in her thighs and abdomen flexing as she fights the sensations overwhelming her. "Can’t concentrate with…with…"

Her words are cut off as she arches her back, her body convulsing again. A stream of liquid sprays out around the dildo tied into her pussy, splattering onto the hardwood floor below. She lets out a strangled moan, her head falling back as she hangs there, helpless.

I smile, "Impressive. I didn’t think you’d squirt again so soon. You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?"

"Go to hell," she breathes, her voice hoarse but still dripping with defiance. Her dark eyes lock onto mine, even as her body trembles from the aftershocks of her orgasm.

"I’ve been to hell," I reply, stopping a few feet away from her. I tilt my head, studying her as she dangles like a prize waiting to be claimed. "It’s overrated. No silk ropes, no vibrating plugs. Just a lot of paperwork."

She lets out a choked laugh, despite herself. "You’re such an asshole."

"And yet, here you are," I say, gesturing to her bound form. "Tied up, squirming, and completely at my mercy. Who is in control here, really? Me or you?"

She glares at me, but there’s no real heat in it. Her lips quirk into a smile, despite her best efforts to keep a straight face. "Maybe both."

I step closer, reaching out to brush a strand of her dark hair away from her face. My clawed fingers linger on her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. "You’re beautiful like this, you know."

She shivers under my touch, her breath hitching as she tries to maintain her composure. "Flattery won’t get you out of this, lizard boy."

"Good, because I’m not trying to get out of it," I reply, my voice dropping to a growl. "I’m exactly where I want to be. And so are you."

She opens her mouth to retort, but I press a clawed finger to her lips, silencing her. "Two minutes, Raven. Then we’ll see if you’re still as clever with your tongue as you think you are."

Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t say anything. Instead, she glares at me, her chest rising and falling as she tries to catch her breath. I step back, folding my arms across my chest as I watch her struggle against the ropes, her body trembling with every vibration.

"Time’s up," I say, stepping closer to her suspended form. The ropes creak slightly as she squirms, her body glistening with sweat under the soft light of the chandelier. Her chest rises and falls with shallow breaths, and her dark eyes lock onto mine with a mix of defiance and something I can’t quite place—anticipation, maybe.

She groans, her head falling back as she let the words tumble out, however reluctantly. "Okay, you win."

I arch a scaled brow, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "That’s not the bet we agreed on."

She rolls her eyes, her chin jutting out in that stubborn way of hers. "Fine. You’reimpressive," she says, dragging out the word like it’s a personal insult. Then, with a flicker of mischief, she sticks her tongue out at me.

I tilt my head, considering her. "Oh, little bird, you’re playing with fire." My clawed fingers reach for the remote in my pocket, and with a single click, I turn the vibrators inside her up to their highest setting. Her body jerks, a surprised squeak escaping her lips before I’m already pressing the ball gag into her mouth, securing it tightly behind her head.

Her eyes widen, but there’s no fear in them. Instead, they’re dark with something else—something hungry. She lets out amuffled moan, her body writhing against the ropes as the vibrations pulse through her.

I step back, folding my arms across my chest as I watch her struggle. She’s a vision like this—bound, gagged, completely at my mercy, and yet still daring to challenge me. She leans forward as much as the ropes allow, her gagged mouth pressing against my chest. Her eyes meet mine, and the look in them is unmistakable. She’s enjoying this.

But she’s not getting off that easy.

I let my claws trail down her spine, watching her shiver at the touch. "You thought sticking your tongue out at me was clever, didn’t you?" I say, my voice low and teasing. My hand lands on her ass with a light slap, the sound sharp in the quiet of the room. She jerks, a muffled yelp escaping the gag.

I start slow, the slaps light but deliberate. Her skin flushes under my touch, and her muffled cries grow louder with each strike. I can feel the heat radiating from her skin, the way her body trembles as the vibrations inside her build.