CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: PUNISHMENT IT IS ROSE AMARA POV It's a sex toy. I gave the object in Ethan's hand a blank stare. The first time, I didn't see it incorrectly. The odd shape has a long end and a short one. I have no idea what that is, because I have never really used vibrators and have always been comfortable using just my own fingers. I only know that there is no way that device will ever come close to me. I try to push Ethan away, but he easily holds me imprisoned between his legs with his hard grip around my waist, saying, "You're out of your mind if you think I will let you use that thing on me." 'It's the punishment you requested, even though you will enjoy it, so it's not really a punishment." He runs his finger along my side while his lips twitch at the corner. It nearly feels as though he is caressing me directly despite the towel separating his skin from mine. Although it is soothing, it has a cruel, brutal feeling and seems to be intended to arouse my deepest, darkest emotions. My continued scary sensitivity following that orgasm is not helpful. 'If I reached under this towel, I think I would find proof of how deeply affected you are by the word "punishment." "You do like punishment, you just don't like to admit it." As I tense up, air stops entering and exiting my lungs, and I feel myself suffocating. What if he does look underneath the towel? The last thing I want at this point is to abruptly return to Ethan's. But if he kept bringing me back in, would I really leave? If he effortlessly awakens emotions in me that I had no idea existed? I say in a stern voice, "Don't." Asking "Don't what?" Say, "Don't touch me."" 'Are you really so afraid of your body turning on you? 'I simply do not want your soiled hands to touch me." His jaw twitches as his grip on my waist becomes so painfully tight that it causes pain. His mood shifts abruptly from semi-light to fully severe in a split second. "How about you drop the high-and-mighty attitude, Princess, you dropped like a slut by these filthy hands." 'You are committed to marrying me despite my imperfections, so you should accept me for who I am." 'The same as you, dirty hands and everything." We exchange glances for a brief moment that feels like years and decades. I didn't intend it as a dig at his ethnic background. It's a protection mechanism of mine that I use to put distance between us, even if it has so far been an utter failure. It's risky that Ethan was able to approach portions of me that I'd been carefully concealing from the public in such a short period of time. It's more than just a problem, really. It may ruin the things I've worked so hard and endured so much agony to build. I give him a dead-on look and say, "You're not putting that toy inside me." "You can't make me do it." He takes a few moments to consider whether to do that before speaking calmly, which surprises me. 'We can work out a deal because you adore those so much." 'What kind of deal is it?" 'You'll wear any toy I ask you to in exchange for knowledge about the location of the next attack." I squinted my eyes. 'How did you discover that?" 'I've got a spy." "The spy of the brotherhood?" "No, mine. Sort of a colleague." 'Hades will find out that he has a spy as well." "My spy is better regarded than his." The question is, "How highly ranked are we talking about?" 'Remember your present plan about drawing in Italy to take the fall? He's enough that he can change things so it hits just where the man wants them to." 'You're part of this throne now, and you must help, so you're expected to do that without trying to bargain with me." 'I won't if it doesn't help me." "I'll let Uncle know." 'Do you have proof of the existence of a spy? And I'll just deny it." Ugh, the obnoxious jackass. The most painful part of the blow was to my arm. Ethan is the one who is most aware of the fact that I will not be able to pass up such a wonderful opportunity. 'My offer expires in about three. Two's it gonna be?" "Fine!" I exclaimed. "Just finish it up." "Happy to work with you." "I'm sure you are." I put my hand on the towel as he pulls at it. "You don't have to take it out," He pulls the towel free, letting it gather about my feet, saying, "That's up to me to decide, and I say it needs to be gone." I'm back in front of him, utterly exposed. I tell myself that the hardening of my nipples is due to the air. Nothing except air. I inhale first with my nose, then through my mouth. Slowly. In.Out. If I don't let him, he won't have any impact on me. All I have to do is act as though none of this is happening. Although it appears that Ethan is giving me a nice stroking as his fingers go over my folds, Ethan is anything but tranquil. He could have a dapper exterior, but he's got strength seething beneath the surface, ready to be let loose on the world. He approaches me with fingertips that could easily push inside, but he never follows through. "I considered getting ready for you, but you're already wet." I clench my lips to prevent being captivated by the feel of his fingers as they approach my entrance. He grins up at me and says, "Look at your c*nt inviting my filthy hand in." I know now that his touch is intended to irritate me. I squeaked out, "Do it already," barely suppressing my internal groan. He drags the toy's head over my wet folds as he continues to tease me about entering. "Patience." The sensation causes me to tiptoe. Though it's not exactly the same, it's comparable to what he did previously with his cock. Now, I'm unable to get rid of the memory of how he tore the orgasm from me like a savage. Ethan runs the device back to my clit after sliding it to my entrance where it comes into contact with his fingers. He stares at me with a mad glimmer that is too close and violent, like a villain's kiss, as I whimper. My sentence is interrupted when he quickly thrusts his head inside of me. "Aren't you going—" I trip over, relying on his shoulders for support. Holy. He wonders, "You're too tight, aren't you?" "How will you take my d*ck if you can't take this toy?" It's larger than that, right? Although I could feel his bulge earlier, I was never really able to get a good look at his cock. Ethan smirks that nasty grin that must have the question written all over my face. "I want you to walk with this dildo inside you and imagine it's me. When I get inside you, I'll make you scream with pleasure and pain." "You are powerless over my imagination." He fiddles with something until the tiny piece of the vibrator is tucked between my folds, then says, "I just did." Although it's not particularly uncomfortable, it's nonetheless strange, like something I've never ever considered attempting before. 'You approve of it, Mrs. Pendleton." 'I'm an Amber and will remain an Amber until the end of my days. "I'm not Mrs. Pendleton. I told you I wouldn't be changing my last name." 'It doesn't matter; in my mind, you are already my Mrs." "That means nothing at all." He picks up the clothing and hands it to me, saying, "Now, get dressed. It does to me." 'Wait, you expect me to leave the house with this inside of me? 'Of course. What were your thoughts?" "I figured you'd play around here," I said. 'That's not enjoyable." 'I won't be taking it outdoors with me." 'Yes, you will. You will wear it to lunches, meetings, and even at the company. Every time you move, you'll be reminded that I've been at your side the entire time." 'You are ill." "Thanks." "It wasn't an honor." "I'll take it as one. Now, are you going to keep your word?" He understands just how to manipulate me to play along with his dumb-ass games. I take the clothing out of his hands while also saying, "I hate you." Ethan suddenly gets up and sneaks a quick kiss from me, which startles me. 'But Princess, you'll adore my games."