Page 24 of UnTrained: Volume One
He's quiet for a long moment, studying me with those penetrating blue eyes. I can feel him cataloging every micro-expression, every tell.
"What's the last thing you remember? From before?" His voice is patient, but there's steel underneath. "Just one thing. Anything."
I shake my head. “Nothing, Sir.”
He leans forward. “Anything, Lana. Whatever you can think of.”
My shoulder blades bump against the back of the couch. I realize I’ve unconsciously leaned back, away from him, and mentally chastise myself.
Don’t show weakness or fear. Just obey.
“There’s not much to tell, Sir. I’m just 127.”Please let that be enough.
Aiden blows out a breath as he sets both feet on the floor and presses his palms against his thighs as he stands. “Stay here. I’ll be back.”
A prickling sensation rises over my skin as he walks away from me and through the door.
What did I do wrong?
16
AIDEN
“I’m at a loss.” I shove a hand through my hair as I flop down on the couch in our break room. “It’s like she’s conditioned to think that any kindness is suspect.”
Jake quirks a brow. “Maybe that’s exactly what they conditioned her to think.”
I glare at him. “And? What do I do with that?”
“Hell if I know, man.” He shrugs as he lifts a bottle of water to his lips.
Fuck, I wish I’d been part of the unit when Tessa came through as a new recruit. Watching Jake turn into a lovelorn fool would have been a once in a lifetime experience. I wonder how his fiancée feels now about how their relationship started. You’d think she would have hated the man who humiliated her and spanked her and all that, but then, to each their own. Maybe she likes that kind of stuff.
I sit up straighter, the faintest wisps of a plan forming. “Wait. Jake, do you still spank Tessa?”
Gavin chuckles as he joins us, setting a soda on the coffee table. “Hey, if you need fodder for your spank bank, I have some recommendations on porn sites, man.”
I elbow him. “Shut the fuck up. Jake?”
Jake lifts an eyebrow. “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes. Tessa loves when Daddy takes control. Anyway, Gavin, you’re one to talk.”
I turn my gaze to Gavin.
He just shrugs. “Hey, I’m not embarrassed about it. The women who come through this facility usually have submissive tendencies to start with. It’s what makes them good fits for our program. Why do you ask?”
The idea is really forming now.
When I spanked Lana, I sensed something. A hint that at one point, she craved contact like this. At the time, I dismissed it as nothing. But maybe there’s something there. A way to get through to her.
17
LANA
Icould run, I suppose. That seems like the test.
He left me alone here. What else did he think I’d do?
I fell for it more than once at the facility. I wince at the memory.
