Five Stars Five Stars (Desire Island #5)- Claire Thompson Page 0,19

under her back, the other tight around her throat. “Did you learn your lesson, bad girl? You promise to be good now?” His hold around her throat tightened. “Huh? Did you? Did you?”

Unable to speak through the gag wadded into her mouth, Shani could only nod, though she no longer remembered what her crime had been this time. Did she come too fast? Not fast enough? Did she miss a spot with her toothbrush on the bathroom tiles? Did she look at the male cashier at the checkout counter for a beat too long? Whatever she had done, she was sorry, sorry, so, so sorry…

To her relief, Sir untied the sash from around her head and pulled the spit-soaked gag from between her lips, though he didn’t uncuff her wrists from behind her back. Her mouth was dry as a bone, but she didn’t dare ask for a drink of water.

“You’re okay,” he cooed, his raspy voice suddenly kind as he stroked the hair from her face. “You know I only do this for your own good, right?” His soothing tone and gentle touch brought sudden, unwelcome tears to her eyes. She was grateful for the smallest kindness from her Master.

Who was she now?

She no longer remembered her name.

Her spirit had fled.

Had she once had a different life?

No. She had always been here. She had always belonged to this man. She was his slave, his property to do with as he pleased. She existed only by his grace. He held all the power. It had always been like this.

Always…

He entwined his fingers in her long, heavy hair, twisting it into a makeshift ponytail. Gripping it hard, he jerked her forward. He hauled her toward the restraint hook by the hair. She stumbled along behind him, her muscles like jelly from the long confinement in the punishment box.

He reached for the rope that dangled from the hook in the ceiling and braided it through her hair. He adjusted the rope, pulling it taut so that her bound hair tugged painfully against her scalp, forcing her on tiptoe in her effort to ease the pain.

He was naked, his big cock fisted in his hand, his eyes bright with sadistic lust. He grabbed a tube of lube and squirted a large dollop over the head of his shaft. “Been a while since I fucked that tight little ass. You want it, right? You want me to ram my dick hard up your tight little hole.”

“No,” she croaked. “Please, no, Sir. I need water. I need to pee. My arms are asleep. The rope is hurting me.”

The words had tumbled unbidden from her lips before she could stop them. Shocked, she clamped her mouth closed, tears of fear and remorse springing to her eyes.

Sir’s face darkened to a dull, brick red, his eyes flashing with rage. “How dare you say no to me?” he hissed in a soft, dangerous voice. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

He slapped her suddenly, a vicious, backhanded stroke that whipped her head to the side, making her ears ring. Moving behind her, he grabbed her roughly by the hips and pushed the head of his cock into her ass without giving her a chance to adjust.

He used her roughly, his hand tight around her throat as he rutted hard against her. Her lungs burned, her eyes bulging as she struggled to breathe. Her scalp felt like it was being peeled away from her skull as he split her in two with his cock.

She opened her mouth in a howl of pain and fury, her silent scream filling the night…

Suddenly the scene shifted. She was swimming upward, kicking as hard as she could, her lungs about to burst as she headed toward the light.

“Shani, Shani, Shani…”

She could hear the warm, kind voice calling her upward, calling her home. If only she could find the strength to reach him. She thrashed furiously, desperate to break through.

All at once, she burst into consciousness, though it took her a moment to understand what was happening.

“Shani, baby, sweetheart, please, please, you’re having a nightmare.”

Adam!

Kind, darling Adam was holding her tight in his arms. His face was a mask of concern and pain. She realized she was struggling against him, her face wet with tears, her body slippery with sweat, her heart smashing painfully in her chest.

“Oh, thank god,” he breathed as she tried to focus on his face. Coming more fully awake, relief gushed over her like a cold stream of water.

He