Queen

Everything dead in my body was reverberating with life as I spoke to him. I meant everything I said, but I was definitely more brazen than general. I knew I was pissing him off but I just couldn't bring myself to care. I wanted him mad. I wanted to see the rage that had been missing since the moment he decided to make himself some sacrificial lamb.

The room was tense and I could tell he was half an inch away from losing it after the way he grabbed my throat. Yet, I still pushed. There was a lot of power and freedom in knowing you could do what you wanted and the person who loved you would never harm you. I had never believed that until him yet all I wanted right now was his anger. So when he practically told me to leave, I was a bit peeved.

The moment those words left my mouth, it didn't take more than a second for him to be back on me. I was shoved back against the wall, more forceful than before and I couldn't register what he'd done for a moment longer before his mouth crashed down on mine. And crashed was the word. This wasn't a kiss. It was a show of power and he was making a whole fucking production of it.

His lips moved against mine with intent, his teeth nipping at my lip as his hand grabbed a fist full of my hair. I grunted out in pain, my mouth parting and he stole the breath I had as if it were an invite. Pain seared at my lip and I could taste the blood he'd drawn, but it quickly dissipated with one hot swipe of his tongue. Mint and whiskey, a touch of strawberry played on his tongue, and the most lethal flavor- him, pulled me into a deep trance.

Warmth flooded through my body in tingles starting up from my feet. I could feel my body feeding off of his energy but I just needed more. My hand fisted at the hem of his knit sweater, my knuckles grazing the taut, warm skin of his torso. He was pissed. I could feel it in his kisses, but I would take whatever he'd give me.

My other hand moved to his face, barely making contact before he broke the kiss. His hands grabbed both of mine, forcing them behind my back where he held my wrists together with a single hand. His other one grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. "Don't fucking touch me. This is for me, not for you."

"Oh," I whispered, "and what exactly is this?"

He didn't dignify my answer with a response. Instead, he tugged at my blouse, sending the white buttons flying across the floor. I was suddenly exposed as cool air hit my breast and his heated gaze landed on my black lacy bra. "Your favorite. Did you wear it for me?"

"I-"

Before I could finish my response, he broke that too. It was my favorite. I couldn't muster up the strength to argue with what he'd done as surprise and shock had me frozen.

"Have I not been good to you, Princess?"

He tore the remaining shreds of my top and bra off my body, leaving me in nothing but my skirt. I spurred into action, shimmying out of it before they met the same fate of my former clothes.

He eyed me for a quick moment and when he caught on to why I had done it, he plucked it from my hands and tore it with one effortless movement. The fabric made a noise that made me cringe before he discarded it to the floor and I shook my head. "Now you're being petty."

He ignored me, stalking so close to me that I could feel his breath skate across the top of my head. "Answer me."

I looked up at him, meeting his penetrating gaze with a nod. "For the most part, yes."

"For the most part." A humorless laugh escaped his mouth and my eyes fell to them. Suddenly I wanted them all over me. Instead, he turned on his heel making me sorely miss the warmth that accompanied his gaze. "That would imply there have been times where I wasn't," he sat at the edge of the bed, "do tell."

"Hmm." I tapped my chin in mock thought. I refused to show just how unnerved I was by this. I was stripped down to a black lace thong that left very little to the imagination while he sat completely dressed, just watching me. "How far in detail am I allowed to go? You know we don't have much time left..."

"I'd be careful with that tongue of yours right now, Queen," he warned me. "I am highly susceptible to being very much unlike myself right now."

"Then what else would you suggest I do with my tongue?" I asked with a pout.

He was taken aback by my question. I could see it in the slight way his head tilted as he looked at me. The surprise was gone as quickly as it came and his expression became a mask of boredom. I simply smiled. If he were going to these lengths to control the way he was looking at me, the effect I had on him was just as strong as the one he had on me.

The boost of confidence that gave me had me taking a few steps forward to where he sat. "Is this why you stripped me naked?" I asked him, looking down into his eyes. "To make it seem as if you have all the power?" I questioned before sighing. "It's a shame. Just became I'm a woman my naked body is being used to degrade me."

"That was exactly my plan. Is it working?" He mused, sarcasm coating his deep voice.

"Yes, without question," I lied. "I'll forgive you if you fuck me though."

He tapped his thigh with his forefinger as his knee bounced and I knew he was holding back. I wondered for what reason. It wasn't like sex was going to break me. His eyes left a hot trail down my body in his wake- he didn't meet my eyes once and I suddenly felt like an object made for the sole purpose of being viewed and used. Surprisingly the thought of it, by him, didn't sound too bad.

"I don't need your fucking forgiveness," he snapped, his words like a whip in the tight air surrounding us.

I leaned down. "Then what do you need, Syn? I'll do anything...aside from letting you out of here, of course." The reminder of that sent red bursts through his eyes and I knew then that I'd hit a nerve again. He didn't like anyone testing his control.

He stood up and I leaned back up straight to match him. He loomed over me, his eyes rivaling those of a lion whose territory had been threatened. "I'm not your fucking pet," he spat.

"You're not," I agreed with him. "But I can be yours if you'd like." I smiled knowing I'd caught him off guard again. I could see the war behind his eyes and in the way his hands were fists at his sides.

Slight guilt shot through me at the sight of his ambivalence and my smile faltered for a moment. It was only then that he seemed somewhat like himself, and not the version of him that I'd known now but the one I met long ago that found contentment in others' misery.

Is that how he wanted me right now?

Miserable?

I knew he was angry and he'd never do anything to hurt me...but was that for me or him?

I decided to let my guard slip a little bit and I looked up at him. "I know you're pissed. And I, I'll admit...I don't care." His anger flared again. "I won't give you freedom. In fact, I would rather you die in my arms than give you to Heaven. So you can take anything you want from me, except that."

"You stupid woman." He laughed dryly. "You shouldn't make promises like that if you're not willing to hold up your end of the bargain."

I swallowed a breath. What was the worst he could do? "I'll forgive whatever it is that you do..."

...If it'll please you would've been the end of that sentence if I didn't care about maintaining a modicum of my dignity.

"I told you I don't give a shit about your forgiveness right now." He pushed my hair over my shoulder. "But I will take your promise as consent."

His hands moved to his belt as he unbuckled it. A swoosh sounded as he slipped the black item from its loops and he took a step forward. I took one back, in turn, apprehension suddenly filling me. I said anything but I needed to make a few things clear.

"I'm not ready for anal." I held up my hands defensively, taking another step back which he matched yet again.

"Pity," he mumbled, snapping the belt together in his hands. The sound made me jump. "I'm a dying man."

"And I'm a woman who'd like to live and still be able to sit down," I said breathlessly as my back hit the wall. Fuck, it was cold. I almost asked him to turn the heater on until I remembered where we were and then I got even angrier that it was cold considering where this room was.

He tightened his grip around the belt before putting it under my chin. He forced me to look up at him and I let out a wry laugh. "I swear the second I pulled this out that smart attitude of yours went into hiding."

"I'm sure it'll be back." I looked nervously between him and the belt. "You know I bruise easily."

"You don't," he called me out. "But I've thought of a few ways I can make you."

"What..." My mind raced for a few moments as I imagined all the ways he could mark me- it was tempting and I had every intention of letting him do whatever he wanted, but I needed something from him too. I shook my head, ridding myself of those dark thoughts before meeting his eyes again. "Actually..."

The word fell flat on my tongue as he slipped the belt behind my neck. He held the two ends with one hand, his knuckles grazing the valley between my breasts. My breathing slowed as I watched him. "Actually what?"

I cleared my throat. "Seeing as I rule the underworld now..." I pushed slowly and when he didn't react, I tried to hide my surprise. "What do you say to cutting a deal with me? You can be my first."

A deep and demeaning chuckle left him at that one and I didn't know what he found funnier; me being in charge or me using his line on him. My mind pondered that for so long that I didn't realize he had slipped the belt into the metal buckle until I heard the piece sliding against the leather a few inches.

His attention was back on me. He rested a palm against the wall beside my head and his other kept a loose grip on the belt. Like a fucking leash. I did say I would be his pet...but I was joking. I'd read books- I knew what it meant but I thought it'd just be a witty innuendo. Damn my mouth.

I swallowed. "Keep fucking around and I'll be your last too," he threatened.

"Killing me would be pretty counterproductive, don't you think? Especially considering all you've gone through..." I gestured around the room, "to get us here."

The corner of his lip tilted up as he twirled his hand once- the belt twisting around it. As the lax hold grew just a bit tighter, I knew what game this was going to be. "I could never kill you," he said, stating the obvious and I let out a brave huff, which was completely compounded by his next words. "Taking away your ability to speak, however, I could live with that. I could cut out your tongue...perhaps-" his eyes fell to my lips, his thoughts so obvious, it felt like they were written across his forehead."I'd figure something else out."

"And I'd learn how to sign," I countered. "My hands will never stop moving."

"You always have an answer to everything, don't you?"

I nodded. "Yes."

It was only when he moved his hand twice around the belt that I realized that was a rhetorical question.

The cool gold buckle now rested on my collarbone, just inches away from my neck. Every time he moved I could feel the leather slide against my skin, sending teasing shivers down my skin. Any moment now, he could just pull and it would become a choker. But he wouldn't do that...would he? This was just some power play...right? I wasn't even asked my safe word.

Curiosity gnawed at me. What would happen when that lead gave way- when there was no more leather to pull and his tattooed knuckles were against my neck? The thought soon festered, turning into a need that had me pressing my thighs together to suppress the sudden rush of heat. Okay, call me a sick fuck but I was turned on.

Was reverse Stockholm a thing?

And did it take only fifteen minutes to kick in?

The answer was likely no but pondering on any other explanation required more energy and mental focus than I was ready to give it. Maybe I didn't even care for one- I was an adult and more than that, I was the Queen. If I wanted the man I "kidnapped" to tie me up and turn me every way but loose, who was going to check me?

Curiosity killed the damn cat and that was my goal. I didn't exactly have nine lives, but I could handle whatever was to come. I think.

I leaned my head back against the wall and our eyes connected. "That deal then," I spoke up, "what is it that you want?"

He scoffed. "Is that how you'll do it when I'm gone?" His gaze dropped to my neck. "I can't say I'm impressed. You couldn't tempt a leprechaun into taking a free pot of gold with that." He gripped the belt, tightening it around my neck, and pulling me closer.

The pressure on my throat made my body flush against his, but I could still breathe easily. "Come on, Princess. You just spoke about being the big, bad devil back then," he whispered into my ear. "Show her to me."

His warm breath skated down my neck, and I almost moaned. My want shifted to need. I needed him on me—inside me, all over me—and I didn't care how. I wanted to throw myself onto the bed and beg him to give me everything, to run out the clock that was no doubt ticking in his mind.

The tension in the belt was palpable, almost vibrating with his need and the restraint he imposed on himself. We were both bound by him, in a way. Yet, there was something dark, a sneaky part of my mind that still clung to that curiosity.

And it was begging me to push just one more time.

"Fine, maybe I'm holding back a smidge." I pressed my palms against his torso for stability. "You want to know how I did it back then?"

He hummed in response, moving his hold to the back of my neck, the tightening feeling more like a warning rather than a suggestion. I was forced to look up and my eyes glazed over his chiseled jaw, then landed on his lips. "Mmm, okay. Remember, you asked for this." I pursed my lips as I leaned into him. My hand moved up his chest while the other moved down to the top of his slacks.

"Do you know who I am?" I asked lowly and he played along.

"I do."

"Mm, and considering you summoned me," I said, "You must need something from me..."

"I--"

I clicked my tongue, silencing him. "On second thought, what you want can wait. I've found myself wanting something from you first." My hand landed on the bulge in his pants and I raised a brow at him, thrill coursing through me at the blatant anger in his expression. "I can't say this isn't usually how I conduct business or that you'll be the last man I crave this desperately...but if you fuck me, I'll give you whatever you wish for and more," I whispered.

I could see the exact moment that the fucking curtain fell and the spotlight fell on everything he didn't want anyone seeing. It was terrifying not knowing what exactly I had pushed him to, but shit if he wasn't a damn sight to behold.

His eyes were a burning red and I was barely able to take a breath before it was snatched from me and I was pushed against the wall. He held a death grip on the belt as his eyes bore into mine and I bit my lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of winning whatever this was. It was all bullshit, of course. I hardly made deals and left it to the demons, but this was getting fun.

"Why the fuck do you insist on fucking with me, Queen?" He snarled, his other hand moving under my jaw and forcing me to look up at him.

His grip gave way for a moment and I took a breath before plastering an innocent look on my face. "What? You asked for a play-by-play. I only demonstrated what I've done and will do from here on out."

He paused at that. "What. The. Fuck...did you just say?"

"What did I say?"

"From here on out," he repeated. "From here. On out? Is that what the fuck I just heard come from your mouth?"

"Precisely." I choked out, pulling at the belt with my finger.

"You would cheat on me?"

"Well, technically," I started, "you'll be dead. It won't be cheating-"

He turned, taking me with him, and within the same second, I was pushed onto the bed. My palms landed on the plush mattress and I crawled further onto it. I needed a moment to breathe- more than a moment I realized as I began gasping for air.

I heard an angry laugh from behind as he approached the bed. "I'm still here and you're thinking about fucking the next guy?" He gritted. "Do I mean that little to you?"

I rubbed my neck, and sat back on my heels, swallowing a breath before I spoke again. "Well, no. But I believe in remaining optimistic. See, I'm hoping the next time around, I'll fuck and fall in love with a stronger man." I purposefully looked him up and down on the last part and he lurched forward, his hand swiping out toward me before stopping abruptly a couple of inches from my face.

He let out a shaky breath before laughing—a sound darker than I'd ever heard from him. He straightened, tapping my cheek a few times, each touch sharper than the last. A forced smile stretched across his face. "Careful."

The last tap left a warm sting on my cheek. "For a moment there, it almost slipped my mind that you're supposed to be the woman I love." He paused, his thumb brushing the edge of my lip.

"Continue being her," he said, his voice a low whisper, "and I can remain the best version of myself for my remaining time here."

"Hm. The best version of yourself...it's been a minute since I've seen him."

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