Page 21 of The Collector
Chapter 6
Mynx
Mynx's heart raced; each beat reverberated in her throat as she absorbed the grandeur of the home surrounding her. Every step quickened her pulse. She couldn't help but wonder if the exquisite beauty of the mansion masked its inherent danger, deceptively presenting a sense of security. Gritting her teeth in resolve, she ascended the marble stairway leading to the imposing front door. Her gaze locked on her boots as they moved against the glossy slate-grey steps of the entryway, catching glimpses of the intricate black marble swirls woven throughout. The contrast against the crème stucco backdrop of the building was striking, a vision of elegance and wealth.
As they approached the entrance, Raven gently took her arm. Her attention shifted to the archway framing the doorway, adorned with pristine white blooms nestled in verdant green vines. Their jasmine fragrance filled the air, enveloping her senses in a calming embrace. Drawing a deliberate breath, she stole a glance at the walkways that stretched along the house'slength and wrapped around its sides. Secluded alcoves lined the paths, each adorned with fountains and vibrant floral displays, creating havens of tranquility.
The door opened smoothly, held by a butler in formal attire. Raven's hand rested lightly on her lower back, guiding her inside with practiced ease. Feeling as though she'd stumbled into an enchanted world, she allowed him to lead. A faint flutter of excitement stirred in her stomach.
What am I doing? This man is my captor, forcing me into a life of what, prostitution—slavery?
She really had no idea what the full details of the contract were at this point. She must be going out of her mind if she felt attracted to the man who was implementing the torture she was about to have to endure.
Mynx forced her attention back to his face, ignoring the tightening in her core—it wasn't from anxiety this time, but need. His soft brown eyes, like spheres of chocolate, didn't seem to harbor menacing thoughts. Instead, they held a hint of amusement at catching her glancing at his package. She hadn't stopped thinking about the phenomenal sex they had had. A slight smile formed at the corner of his lips as he spoke. Her core clenched when it turned into a complete, sultry smile.
"Shelby will go over everything in the morning, I promise. I know you're nervous, which is why I asked for us to be left alone when we arrived. Please understand, no one is here to hurt you. You're in control. Nothing happens without your consent. Nothing will be expected of you until a clear and signed contract is in place. It's for your protection as well as ours. You can lock your door and rest assured, no one will bother you until morning."
She hurried after him, struggling to keep up.
"Hey! Wait, I don't want to wait until tomorrow. You can tell me I'm safe here until you're blue in the face, but how do I really know I'm safe?"
Raven stopped mid-stride. He turned to face her and bent his large frame down to her level.
"My God, just how tall was he anyway?"
His hands gripped her shoulders firmly as he looked straight into her eyes. Her heartbeat quickened, excitement pulsing through her. She couldn't tell if it was fear or attraction, but she swallowed hard and waited for his response.
"Do I look like I need to lie to you? If I meant to harm you, I would have already done it. This is strictly business, Butterfly. I'm following orders, not my desires. My father issued the orders. I'm just another cog in his machine. No one disobeys his orders or my enforcement of them. As long as you do what you're told, you're safe. Now, be a good girl—come along. It's been a long day, and I'd really like to wash it off me."
Mynx wondered if she was part of what he wanted to wash off him. She crossed her arms over her chest and reluctantly followed him to the last door of the hallway. When he opened the door, he glanced her way, waiting impatiently.
"Are you really pouting?" He shook his head, standing to the side, allowing her space to walk into the room.
"I'm not pouting —I'm debating whether or not to kick you in the balls for trying to boss me around."
Mynx turned and smirked at him, letting her body softly brush against him as she entered the room.
Two could play this game. If Raven wanted to stand there looking like a snack—calm and unreadable, like he hadn't just twisted her insides with his touch—then fine. She'd make him want her more. She could play soft and docile like a maiden in distress if it would get her what she wanted. Every glance, every shift of her body, from here out would be calculated to pull himin and keep him off-balance. Let him feel the heat and mistake it for control. He thought he was untouchable. She'd make him ache for something he couldn't name. And when he reached for it, she'd be gone. Back to her life, her family.
Raven grabbed her elbow, swiftly pulling her close to his body. The air seemed to thicken around her, her breath coming slowly and measured as she took in the sensation of him against her—the ripple of his firm muscles beneath his clothing, his scent of tobacco and jasmine. Electricity seemed to pulse under her skin, surging to places his hands touched her. Her core tightened with sudden desire. His dick pressed into her, where their bodies molded together hungrily. She remembered how it felt inside her and drew a quick breath.
His gaze locked on hers; the heat of his own desire reflected in them. "Is that really what you want to do with my balls?"
She tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. Perhaps soft and docile was a ruse she couldn't quite pull off.
"You must think I don't know who you are, remember what happened between us." Her eyes sparkled with playful defiance. "Am I here to be your plaything or to pay off my father's debt?"
He released her, his expression unreadable, gently nudging her toward the bed. "Plaything? I have plenty of those", he said firmly. "When I take you again, it'll be because you're asking—no, begging—for it. There's no need for you to worry. I never take what isn't given to me. I make them want to give it. Trust me, it's given freely often enough."
She tilted her head, her smirk deepening as she crossed her arms. "You're awfully confident that I'll be begging you. Maybe it's you who will be begging me. I don't think you know quite what to do with me."
His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he stepped closer, closing the space between them. "Oh, I know exactly what todo with you, Butterfly. Careful," he said, his voice low and deliberate. "You're playing a dangerous game."
Her heart raced, but she refused to let it show. Instead, she raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with defiance. "Maybe I like danger, how would you know?"
For a moment, the air between them felt electric, charged with unspoken words. Raven's gaze lingered on her, searching, challenging, before he finally spoke. "You don't know what you're asking for."
"Maybe I do," she shot back, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.
