The Game (16 page)

Her stomach rumbled again. “No.” Her voice sounded small, distant. Clearly, she was lying. But what could he do if she refused to confide in him?

“Fine, then get dressed.” His eyes raked her body.

Indifferently, he dropped the blanket. It slithered down her shoulders, pooling in her lap. “Or would you prefer going out naked?”

Fire sparked in her eyes, clearing away the clouds and shadows. Tossing back the blanket and pushing it to the floor, she rose. “What does the Master desire I wear?”

The room began to get warmer. The fire in her was back.

“Very little,” he bit out before disappearing into the bathroom.

Man, was Seth in a snit of a mood. Here Chastity was licking her wounds after being attacked, and he came in like a tiger with a thorn in his paw. Chastity ran a brush through her still-damp hair. Looking back at her from the mirror was a tired, worn-out woman. Quickly, she pressed her face to the Curative Resurrection Spa, a contraption that looked a lot like a huge suction cup, hanging on the wall next to the sink.

Warm air cleansed and soothed her skin. She felt the drawing agent pulling, caressing around her eyes and mouth, taking away the puffiness and lines. Her breath caught as a brisk rush of cold air closed the pores and sealed the EnchantMist into her face. The revitalizing vapor was the best invention, replacing plastic surgery. When she looked into the mirror it was as if the morning’s events had never happened.

Wasn’t modern science wonderful? But what was there to heal the wear and tear on the heart? Absolutely nothing.

This place was like a skycoaster dipping in and out of heaven and hell, keeping Chastity in a constant state of confusion. She looked around the room. Lying on a chair before the fireplace sat something that could hardly be referred to as clothing. Underwear yes, clothing no.

She picked up the scanty lace thong and matching bra between her thumb and index finger. Black, silky thigh-high stockings and four-inch stilettos finished the ensemble.

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“Well, it won’t do any good to argue,” she murmured. “If this is what the Lord and Master wants, then so be it.”

She donned the skimpy underwear, rolled the nylons up her long legs, slipped her feet into the heels and braced herself for whatever would come next. When Seth exited the bathroom he stopped abruptly as if his feet had anchored to the floor. His jaw dropped.

Chastity beamed at his reaction. She knew that her long, untamed hair and the delicate lingerie showed off her body’s features well. The stockings and stilettos made her legs appear long and shapely. And the heated look in Seth’s eyes made her want to peel each piece of clothing off slowly, one at a time, until the man couldn’t resist touching her, spreading her wide and thrusting his cock deep inside. A sensual toss of her hair and the seductive dip of her eyelids had him at her side. His palm grasped the nape of her neck, yanking her to him as his mouth met hers. The kiss was hungry, filled with possession and fire. Their tongues dueled. Then Seth quickly released her and moved away.

“Ready?” His voice was deep and throaty.

Chastity watched the rise and fall of his broad chest and the confusion warring in his eyes. He wanted her. She could feel it in the way he touched and looked at her. But there was too much between them that he couldn’t—or wouldn’t—let go. If only she could end this game, just leave. Because the agony of the ups and downs was wearing thin. One of them was going to break, and which direction the pieces would fall was anyone’s guess.

As they exited their room, Seth glanced as his watch. “Damn, we’re too late to attend the bondage demonstration.” He frowned at her, letting her know it was her fault.

Relief flooded Chastity. The last thing she wanted was to be roped into performing before a crowd. And she just knew that the sex king of Zygoman would insist on it, or his brother, Terrance, would have something distasteful for her to do. Silently, they strolled down the path leading to the garden, Seth in the lead, Chastity several steps behind. Rounding a corner, the crew of Voyeur II spied them and hastened into position. Two men, cameras propped on their shoulders, stood in front of them blocking their exit, while a young anchorwoman sidled up to Seth. From the looks of her short, tight skirt and shirt, she’d dressed to entice the audience and to attract Seth, thought Chastity.

The woman held a transmitter-phone that she wedged between her and Seth. “Tell us, Mr. Allen, how things have been progressing throughout the last two days, especially
last night
.” The woman’s voice took on a dreamy quality. Her tongue made a sensuous path along her full bottom lip, eyes darkening with desire. Anger scorched through Chastity as the blonde batted her long lashes. If the flirtatious woman didn’t back away from Seth, and soon, Chastity would pluck every 87

Mackenzie McKade

bleached-blonde hair from her head. But before she could ponder more acts of violence, Seth’s reply had Chastity redirecting her fury.

“I’m pleased. My slave’s walls of resistance are cracking, if not crumbling. Acceptance of domination is not always easy, but for a woman like Miss Ambrose, well—” he paused, “—she can benefit from exploring her sexual desires. I’m just here to help her in that discovery.”

Oh, puleeeze
! Chastity felt her brows rise and her jaw drop in disbelief. His words deserved a response, even if he couldn’t see it. Standing behind him, but in full view of the cameras, her right palm landed hard in the bend of her left elbow forcing her fist to snap upwards in the age-old “fuck you” symbol of the Italians. In unison, the cameras directed at Seth focused on her. The men’s chuckles made the cameras vibrate against their bodies.

Seth glanced over his shoulder, but Chastity had regained her pose, feet parted, hands behind her back, head bowed.

He frowned. “Kneel.” It was a show of his authority. One that Chastity didn’t like one bit. Still, she drifted to her knees, casting her gaze to the ground until Seth again faced the cameras.

The anchorwoman smiled. “So, Mr. Allen, would you say Miss Ambrose is coming along as you expected?”

Chastity saw the devilish twinkle in the woman’s eyes. Then she nodded toward Chastity in a sign of appreciation.

Hey
, Chastity could get to like this newslady. She had spunk. As Seth spoke, Chastity could envision his camera-ready smile flashing for his audience.

“Yes, in fact, she’s right where she should be.” He paused for effect and then added,

“Beneath me.” The crowd joined him, laughing at his witticism. However, their heads dipped back and they released a roar as Chastity’s middle finger raised, saluting Seth’s back.

Seth whirled, only to find Chastity docilely kneeling, her head bowed in reverence. Then Chastity’s favorite nemesis appeared to wreck the day.

“Master Seth.” Terrance moved to his side. “I believe that your slave has earned another punishment.”

Shit, shit, and double shit
! The barbaric Viking was going to be the death of her. Through feathered lashes she watched him as he explained to Seth what was occurring behind his back.

In a nanosecond the man’s facial features went from bewildered to embarrassed to outraged. But like the professional Seth was, his expression softened. He threw back his head and burst into laughter, a sound that to Chastity had a little too much humor for comfort.

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The camera saw a confident man taking the incident with grace. From her perspective, Seth was pissed.

“Perhaps a reminder of the rules and what is at stake is required.” Then his eyes pinned Chastity, nailing her to the ground.

Yep. Pissed
!

“It appears a firmer hand is necessary.”

Chastity heard his words, but the unspoken meaning was the one that frightened her the most. Seth was a proud man and she had humiliated him on universal cinema. But
dammit
, he had done much worse to her.

“If you will excuse us, it’s time to get to work.” With diplomacy, Seth dismissed the camera crew and reporter. His heavy footsteps beat a path toward Chastity. She cringed, wondering what was in store for her.

“Rise.” There was no animosity in his tone, but of course the cameras were still rolling in the distance.

How could a simple word from this man send butterflies whirling in her stomach?

She remained on her knees in reflection. Trepidation and excitement blended to raise the hairs across her skin. Even now, as his imposing frame loomed over her, all she could see was a man of sensual pleasure. A man that made her pulse speed, her nipples burn and ache against her soft clothing. Not to mention, a man that started a flood of desire, wet and warm, between her thighs.

Fiery eyes glared down upon Chastity. Then Seth’s lips drew back into a snarl.

“Master Terrance, would you accompanying us? I believe you can assist in my slave’s further training.”

Like a fragile flower being crushed by strong hands, her ardor was squashed with Terrance’s reply. “It would be my pleasure, Master Seth.”

“I said,
rise
.”

Chastity stood at Seth’s command, wishing the cameramen hadn’t disappeared. Terrance produced a length of satin rope from somewhere on his person. Dangling it in front of Chastity’s face, he grinned. “Might I suggest that you bind her knees? She will be able to follow behind, but it will be a lesson that you are in control, and can take away and give freedom as you see fit.” The rope slithered through his fingers like a menacing snake, before falling into Seth’s waiting palm. Seth knelt. As the cool cord wrapped around and around her knees, Chastity silently cursed Terrance. If it was the last thing she did before leaving this planet, she would pay the man back for his interference.

The man in question pinched her chin, raising her gaze to his. Rich hazel eyes flashed a warning. “Don’t even
think
about it.” His tone was a deep, menacing rumble. Speechless, Chastity jerked away from his hold. How the devil did he know what she was thinking? Was the man clairvoyant? Or just really, really aggravating?

Seth slapped his thigh as he began to walk. “Heel.”

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Heel? Like I’m some friggin’ dog
? Warmth heated her cheeks as she stood her ground. When Terrance glanced over his shoulder and smirked, fire raced through her veins. Seth snapped his fingers. “
Now
!”

His blatant contempt startled her, but succeeded in putting her feet into motion. The first hesitant step, not to mention the four-inch stilettos, nearly had her tumbling head over heels. Quickly, she gathered her aplomb, concentrating on each footfall. Head down, she watched one foot move in front of the other.

Damn
, but it was hard to look dignified when shuffling along like a geisha girl. So intense was she on staying upright, she didn’t notice that the terrain had changed. As if the earth itself thought to torment her, a gnarled tree root curving across the ground snatched away her footing. She screamed and pitched forward.

“
Fuck
!” She grasped her skinned knees, the abrasion burning and throbbing. Seth was immediately at her side. “Are you hurt?”

Chastity’s brows lifted in an expression that said,
Duh
.

Only then did she look past Seth and at her surroundings. They had entered a forest, but it was unlike any she had ever seen on Earth. Bright, colorful flowers dotted the panorama and seemed to wink at her in the shadowed sunlight. A pond lay still, as if holding its breath. Tall trees, as large as the redwoods in California, sprung up to the sky. But their trunks, instead of the usual rough brown bark, were like polished marble. Red veins traversed their pearly columns. In fact, she could see their life force pumping, moving and breaking into new channels, creating a labyrinth of arteries. Golden vines embraced the magnificent trees like lovers.

Mesmerized, Chastity was still looking around when two strong hands tucked under her armpits and raised her to her feet. She crow-hopped, and then grasped Seth’s arm to steady herself.

“It’s beautiful.” Her hand floated to her side. “Almost as if you can see and hear the heartbeat of life.” The grandeur made her feel small, insignificant. The last thing Chastity wanted to hear among all this splendor was Terrance’s haughty voice. “The Forest of Immortality is indeed enchanting, but it also teaches a lesson.”

“Of course, a lesson,” she sighed. Did the man ever take a break from being an asshole? Exasperated, she turned to face him.

Terrance drifted to his knees. With a powerful thrust he buried a silver stake into the ground. Then he rose and moved several feet away and planted another.

“Mortality teaches us to cherish life, to live it to the fullest. Here you will be able to set your soul free. Find peace and surrender.”

Terrance and the word surrender didn’t give Chastity warm fuzzies, and neither did the four stakes looming before her.

Then it dawned on her what they planned to do. She took a cautious step backwards. “No way.” But her bound knees took control forcing her down to ground 90

The Game

and she landed on her ass. As Terrance slowly approached her, she desperately cried,

“Seth!”

Seth gazed down at her. “Did you think you would go unpunished for your little act of defiance, Chastity?”

Fear and fury blazed in her eyes like flames trapped under glass.
Man
, how he had missed her spirit over the past few years.

The woman was a fighter.

Seth’s cock stiffened in appreciation. Even Terrance’s eyes showed a hint of admiration for her mettle.

No
,
Chastity Ambrose would not go quietly into the night—or any other time of day
.

Half-crazed, she fought her bindings. When that didn’t work she used her arms and feet to crawl. It was a losing battle, but she showed no signs of quitting. Each time they approached, her arms flailed wildly.

Then a lucky punch caught Terrance in the left eye. “Yeow!” One hand covered his battered eye as the other hand snaked out and caught her by the ankle. Seth leaped forward, using his weight to pin her to the ground.