Page 48 of Stolen

“You’re still not eating enough,” I commented, keeping my tone almost conversational. “Otherwise, you’d have ingested the entire dose that was meant to keep you pliant.”

“And your guards are still molesting me. Guess we’re even.”

That brought my eyes to hers. “When?”

Her gaze narrowed. “Why do you think I ripped his boxers halfway up his ass?”

Rage made me clench my jaw at the understanding that my orders were still not being followed, and it was at Jaden’s expense. Bruce would be dealt with. Harshly.

But first things first.

Grabbing her hip, I shoved her over onto her stomach, only just to realize she had secretly untied the bow around her wrists. Her movements were still slightly sluggish as her hands reached for the bars of the headboard to pull herself out from under me, an attempt that didn’t grant her much success. Leaning forward, I grasped her hands under mine, lacing our fingers together, and allowed my full weight to trap her beneath me.

“Aren’t you a clever little thing,” I drawled into her ear, enjoying the intimacy of the position we were in.

“Your fat ass is crushing me,” she groaned through gritted teeth as she struggled to expand her chest for air.

Did she seriously just call me fat?

“Now, that’s just rude. Ask me nicely, and maybe I’ll give you an inch.”

She stopped struggling only for a second to release a long slow breath. “Please,” she bit out. “Would you be so kind as to allow me some breathing room?”

“Now there’s a good girl,” I praised and lifted my body weight from her back just enough to allow her a full lungful of oxygen. I could feel her small hands clench in my own, her delicate fingers laced through mine and creating the most adorable contrast between the two of us. How could someone this small and so fragile be capable of inflicting so much damage to men easily twice her size? Where the hell did all that strength come from?

“Not quite sure what that little attempt was, but it didn’t get you very far, now did it?”

Just when I hoped her temper would get the better of her, she surprised me further by releasing a heavy breath and allowed her shoulders to drop, her head bowing low as the rest of her body completely relaxed beneath me. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was submitting.

“You’re right,” she said calmly. “It was a panic move. It won’t happen again.”

Holy shit. She was actually trying to prove me wrong. I could see how difficult it was for her body to remain relaxed while in such a vulnerable position. And it made me want to test her even more.

Gently trailing my nose along the shell of her ear, I whispered, “You’re just full of surprises today, aren’t you?”

“Yes, sir,” she said, her tone almost indifferent, but I could still hear the sarcasm hiding behind that last little word.

“Well then, let’s see how long you can last this time.”

Gripping her wrists, I yanked her back to force her onto her knees and held her wrists up over her head. To her credit, she barely resisted as I clamped them in the chains that hung from the middle of the iron bars of the canopy. When she was secured, I moved away from the bed to fully appreciate the new view.

Jaden’s frame looked even more slender with her arms stretched above her head while her ribs protruded with each shallow breath she took. Her curled hair had now gathered around her shoulders, and even as she tried to shield her face with it, those silky strands did nothing to hide the resentment she now held for herself. For allowing me to put her there in the first place.

Placing my hands in my pockets, I casually circled the bed, getting another amazing view of her ass as she stood on her knees while the muscles in her back flexed to maintain her position. When I reached the other side of the bed, she had closed her eyes and taken a deep breath, quietly releasing it through her nose and repeating the process. How intriguing. Most slaves were already sobbing for mercy by now. But not this little redhead. No, she still had something to prove.

And so did I.

Grasping my belt, I released the buckle and pulled the leather free, making enough noise to familiarize the sound for her. And just like that, her entire body froze. Her chest was motionless, her arms stiff, and her jaw clenched. Slowly, her eyes opened to begin tracking my steps as I casually made my way back behind her.

“Thatgot your attention, did it?” I said, keeping my tone light, almost conversational.

“You always have my attention,” she replied coolly.

I smiled, enjoying that thought far more than I should. “And what else do I have?” I prompted.

“My undying obedience.”

Her answer was immediate, practically rehearsed, and even though the response was technically correct, it wasn’t satisfying enough.

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