Page 21 of Her Double Desire

Chapter 8

Veronica

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Shawn is waiting forus in a parlor of red carpet and silver accented walls. He's sitting cross-legged on a sofa the same metallic shade. He sips from a coffee mug, refined and bored as anyone could ever be.

I stand before him in the beautiful gown that was meant to impress at dinner. Now it makes me feel vulnerable with its plunging neckline, the silky material as much armor as a butterfly's wing. And these damn heels—why did I pick such steep ones?

Because they made me look sexy,I remind myself bitterly.

But attraction isn't enough to win these men over.

They want pure subservience.

Something I know I can never give them.

“So,” Shawn sighs, setting his cup on the nearby table. “You guys didn't waste any time coming in here. I barely touched my coffee.”

“She was acting too comfortable.” Jared shrugs casually, refusing to look at me. “She might not have the strength to go through with this plan.”

My hands ball at my sides.I'm plenty strong enough.

Shawn motions at the door. “I'll do what you want, but I need to do it alone.”

Jared looks cross, but he says nothing in return. Before he rounds the corner, he shoots a side-eye my way. I can't tell if he's warning me, or worried for me, or what. But my heart throbs, regardless.

And then I'm alone with Shawn.

His river-blue eyes hold steady on me. My pulse becomes erratic. He scans me in a patient, knowing fashion. The way his lips curl up at the edges, showing his pearly teeth, fills me with dread. “Let's begin, little lamb.”

Shawn moves, and I'm ashamed by how I jump. He doesn't get up, though, he only leans forward to take a sip from his coffee. “I'll lay out the rules for you. Please listen, I'll only be telling you this once. After, if you don't obey these... guidelines,” he chuckles, “then I'll be sure to punish you each and every time. Do you understand?”

I marvel at how one man can give off such a threatening aura while doing nothing but sipping from a cup. I answer with trembling words. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl. Jared burned that one into you quickly. Now for the rest.” He uncrosses his legs, switching which one is on top. “The basic rule is simple. Never question us on anything we tell you to do. The fact is,” he says, smiling over the drink at my uneasy face, “we own you. We are always right. So if we say something, do it, and do not hesitate. Your job is to serve us, and your aspiration is to make us happy. Obeying us shouldmakeyou happy, it's your greatest joy as a slave.”

Mentally, I reject his instructions.He's wrong, they don't own me, and there's no way serving them will be my greatest joy, fuck that.

“More so,” he goes on, studying his fingers idly, “you will understand that men will ask you to do things you, apparently, have never done.” His grin widens. “To make this work, you'll need to get over your pride.”

It's like I swallowed a hot rock that's crushing my organs. I'm sweating now, my hands clenching fiercely by my hips. I wantso badlyto tell him to eat a dick.

He sets his cup on the coffee table to his right. “Let's begin by testing your ability to follow directions. Come here, kneel in front of me.”

Recalling the spank from Jared, I steel my nerves, then force my heels to carry me forward. Clumsily I kneel before him, the carpet plush against my skin.

“Good, though that wasn't the hard part,” he laughs. Sitting up, he unbuttons his black jacket, carefully folding it over the top of the sofa. Beneath, he's wearing a white dress-shirt that stretches over his muscular torso. I knew he was in good shape, but seeinghowfit he is throws me. “I want you to unzip my pants, Veronica.”

My jaw drops, everything in me tensing at once.Shit, this is it, I should have known.With all the talk about 'obeying' and what's expected of me, it should have been more obvious. I should have been more prepared.

I'm not.

Shawn strikes like lightning, his fingers winding in my hair. Somehow his grip brings me no pain; he's in total control. “What did I tell you? To listen and not hesitate, correct? Answer me!”

“Yes, yes, Sir!” Strangely, his dominance is... exhilarating. In a way that intrigues me, and also concerns me.It's exactly like with Jared earlier.

“Will you listen if I let you go?” He's whispering, his breath warming my ear while he bends over me.

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