Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,226

amused chuckle. “Those will have no effect on how well you sleep in that bed. You will find it quite soft, actually.” For the first time, he takes his eyes off my face, casting a quick glance over to the corner of the room where the white cage is. “But if you disobey me…” his voice trails off but I know what he means. It’s almost like he’s itching to see me in the cage.

I slightly shudder, my nipples pebbling. A part of me thinks I would like the cage, I’m turned on by it, if only for a little while, an hour, maybe two, but definitely not for anything longer than that. The thought of being in it for more than several hours, absolutely terrifies me.

I clasp my hands in front of my dress, swinging my shoulders back and forth, trying to shake the nervousness that keeps running through my limbs.

Joseph steps forward, sensing my emotions, stopping a few feet from me. He reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder, halting my rocking. I almost groan at his touch, feeling small shocks where his skin touches mine.

Fuck, what this man does to me.

Up close, I’m enveloped by his masculine scent and it calms me, if only slightly. Jesus, I love how he smells.

“What’s wrong, flower?” he asks me with concern.

I look into his eyes and my heart flips. The hunger is still there, and it’s enough to make my skin prick, my cheeks burning red. I know that it won’t be long before that hunger will demand to be sated. I just need to...I swallow thickly. I need to tell him. I know it’s going to happen soon.

“Can tonight be different?” I blurt out, my heart skipping a beat and then starting to race.

Joseph’s eyes never leave my face. “Can what be different?” his voice sounds so deep and low.

My forehead crinkles as I frown. Is he toying with me? He has to know what I mean with the way he’s been looking at me since I’ve got here and that giant bulge in his pants that he’s done little to hide.

My cheeks still burning, I gesture at the king-sized luxurious bed. “Uh, you know.”

His eyes web as a grin plays across his chiseled jawline. “No, in fact I don’t.”

Okay. Now I know he’s toying with me.

I shake my head. “I just always thought... it’s silly...but I’ve always been...” I search for a way to say what I want without giving myself away. “I’d like this to be outside our contract? I just…can we just pretend I’m not your slave for the first time?”

Joseph shakes his head firmly and my heart falls into my stomach. “I don’t pretend Lilly.”

I search his face for some sign of softening, but his jaw is firm. I don’t think I’ll convince him. My heart races in my chest. All the ways I’ve imagined him fucking me have been ruthless. But right now, I don’t want that.

“Can you be gentle at first?” I ask hopefully. “Just for tonight.”

I see amusement flash in his eyes, but his expression remains flat. “That’s not in my nature.”

It’s hard to keep my face steady as I look at him and my knees from shaking. I don’t know what I should do.

I’ve never had sex before, but now I’m supposed to be able to endure a man his size, who’s going to fuck me like a wild animal?

Holy fuck.

I’m just as scared as I am turned on.

More than that I’m uncertain. I’m about to give away my virginity to a man I’ve hardly known for more than a few days. The realization nearly makes my head spin.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

My next words come out small and tiny sounding. “Is it going to hurt?”

God, I sound so fucking naive, but I can’t help myself. I’m terrified.

Joseph reaches out gently cupping my cheek. “The only pain I give you will be followed by pleasure.”

Oh God. Yes.

I close my eyes, shuddering, hoping to find the strength to endure what’s to come. I hear him as he takes a step closer, pushing me with him until the back of my knees hit the bed.

You could always end this, says that annoying voice. You could just walk away right now.

I don’t get to answer it.

I feel Joseph move closer, invading my private space and pressing his hard body up against me. I want him. I’ve never known anything else to be as true as that single fact.

Fuck. I feel