Page 29 of His Dark Cravings

Lila stands beside him, a smirk playing on her lips. She’s wearing a strappy black leather harness with a black mesh top beneath, her full breasts proudly on display. A thong disappears beneath the low-slung leather skirt that hugs her hips. The diamond studs in her nipples glint at me.

I have to tear my eyes away from her.

“Tonight, we explore new territory, Everly,” Xavier says, his voice a low rumble. “Lila will be joining us.”

My breath catches in my throat. I glance at Lila, her emerald green eyes fixed on me, a knowing glint in their depths.

“This session,” Xavier continues, stepping closer, his hand gently tracing the line of my jaw, “is about trust. About pushing your boundaries. Are you ready?”

Rule number five. Trust Xavier. Trust him to manage my experiences. Trust him to set the boundaries. But is this what he was talking about? This isn’t about exploring my limits; it’s about violating them. Lila being here is like a deliberate jab, a challenge. I don’t want to share him with her.

Wait, what?

A cold dread settles in my stomach. Why does that bother me? This is a contract, a business arrangement. He’s not mine, never will be. But the thought of him with Lila... Anger claws at me. It’s a feeling so potent that it surprises me. I’m supposed to be above such petty emotions. My life’s been devoted to helping others, not this possessive, irrational surge of jealousy.

Lila’s eyes are still on me, and it feels like she can read my thoughts.

“Ready, Everly?” Xavier asks again.

I swallow, my throat suddenly dry. The heat in my belly shifts, becoming a confusing mix of excitement and apprehension. This isn't part of the training. He’s testing me, pushing me. I want to tell him, to scream that this isn't what I agreed to, but the words don't come. The prickle of defiance that rose, the tiny rebellious spark against the suffocating weight of his power, is quickly extinguished. I know what happens when rules get broken around here—Sable showed me that.

I have no leverage. No choice.

“Yes, Sir,” I answer. The words feel like grit on my tongue. I try to swallow the bitter taste of resentment.

Xavier’s smile isn’t kind. It’s predatory. He gestures toward a plush velvet chaise lounge in the center of the room just as Lila steps closer, her body radiating an arrogance I suddenly find infuriating. She circles me slowly, her eyes raking over my form, and I feel a blush creep up my neck. I didn't expect this, so I'm only wearing a tank top and loose pajama pants. Then she touches me, lightly but insistently, tracing a path down my arm.

“Relax, darling,” she purrs. “This’ll be interesting.”

What she says stings more than her touch. Interesting for whom? I wonder, but I bite back the retort. This isn’t a game I can win.

I nod and look away from her as she leads me to the center of the room and gestures for me to lie down. As I comply, my body suddenly feels heavy, my limbs leaden. The cool velvet accepts me at once.

Xavier kneels beside me, his eyes holding mine as he runs his hand over my thigh.

"You're doing well, Everly. Trusting me even when it's difficult." His voice is a soothing murmur, and I find myself relaxing into the cushions, my breath steadying.

He shows me a length of soft rope, and I can tell he's judging my reaction. I don't react. I don't know what message he's trying to pass along. Patiently, he puts my arms behind my back and begins to secure my forearms together. The rope is a gentle caress, its fibers smooth—until he gives a sharp tug, pulling it tight. The rope bites into my flesh, and I'm aware of how open my chest feels now that I can't cover up even if I wanted to.

"You're so responsive," he whispers, his breath warm on my neck. "I can see your mind working, processing every touch." His fingers trail down my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps. "I see the expressions you make when you look at the other dolls."

My eyes widen at his words, my pulse quickening. I try to keep my face neutral, but I can't hide the flush creeping up my chest. What's this all of a sudden?

"Wh-what expressions?" I murmur.

Xavier chuckles softly. I feel him deftly working the rope, twisting it and pulling it behind my back before he loops it around my upper arm, one then the other.

"Sable's strength, her defiance. Winter's grace, her quiet determination. And Lila..." He leans closer, his lips hovering above my ear. "Lila's fire, her untamed spirit. You can't help but be drawn to them, can you?"

I shake my head slowly, but my mind jumps to the dinner party, when everyone was dressed up—or dressed down, rather. I swallow hard.

"I..." I begin.

Xavier has already moved on to my legs now that I can't budge my arms an inch. His palms spread across my thighs, smoothing down and up, down and up slowly.

“You have such beautiful legs,” he murmurs, his voice a low growl. “Just needs a little rope to keep them in the right position.”

Before I can figure out what position he's trying to get me in, he shimmies my pajama pants down, exposing my legs to the cool air of the dungeon—and my floral-print panties. I suck in a sharp breath in embarrassment, my eyes flicking over to Lila, who is looking between my legs with… hunger. Xavier doesn't seem to notice what he's done to me, or if he does, he ignores it. He reaches for another length of rope on the floor, this one thicker, rougher.

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