Chapter 58 Make it quick
SOMA
Is Brynne being serious right now? His expression shows he is, still...
“Must everything be an exchange to you?”
“Yes.” His knuckle drags below my bottom lip, and he backs off. “You either want your maid or you don’t.”
“What do you want?” I whisper.
Brynne grins. “Finally, you’re asking the most important questions. I want to fuck you, Soma.” I suck in a sharp breath, pressing my knees together, and he chuckles. “If someone saw us right now, they would think you don’t enjoy it when I fuck you with my fingers. Don’t worry, I guarantee your pleasure as well. Like I’ve always done.”
It’s hard to say anything against that when, days ago, my thighs were slick from my arousal and his penetration.
Stepping back, Brynne opens his door. “Get in.”
A sigh builds in my chest, and I glance at him without peering into his room. It will be my first time having sex, and I don’t know if he will go easy.
But Jade’s safety is at stake.
“After,” I whisper. My hands clench at my side, and his lips tug upward in a mocking grin. “If you get her back, I’ll do whatever you want. But only after I see Jade.”
“Why do you think you’re in a position to bargain?”
“Please. Just… please.”
Brynne says nothing, but his eyes darken. Fire seems to rise in their depths, flickering low before burning out. A moment later, his eyes return to their regular color.
“It’s done,” Brynne tells me. What? How? I haven’t seen her. His hand closes around my wrist, but he doesn’t pull yet. “Let’s go, Somi. Time for you to uphold your side of the bargain.”
“But—”
The word dies off as the fourth door opens, the one I’d knocked on previously. All that time, someone was inside?
Tristan steps out first, and Jade follows behind. My jaw hangs open. Tristan and I aren’t friends, but his betrayal cuts deep into me. Jade averts her gaze when they meet mine, but I don’t miss the bruise around her temple.
Shame coils deep in my belly. Of course, she won’t look at me. I’m her lady, but I did nothing to protect her.
“Jade,” I breathe, trying to rush toward her.
But Brynne’s hand clamps down on my wrist. “I did my part. It’s time for you to do yours.” He drags me into his room, shutting the door behind us with his foot. I wrestle in his vise-like grip. I know it’s futile, but I don’t stop. Jade needs me. “Is this the thanks I get for helping you?”
“He hurt her,” I whisper, knowing better than to expect kindness from him but hoping for it, anyway. “Can I go to her? I’ll come back later. I promise. I’ve not forgotten.”
“She’s your maid,” he spits out. His brows pull together, his annoyance directed at more than me. “Keep showing her this level of affection, and you’ll get her killed soon.”
Hierarchies. Of course. She’s supposed to be beneath me. I don’t believe it, but for her safety, I nod feverishly.
“Okay,” I murmur. The fight drains from my body, and he loosens his hold on me. “Do you want to do it now?”
Brynne steps past me, and I turn, my knuckles whitening with the force with which I clench my fists. He stands beside his bed, giving the silent command for me to come and sit. I take my time closing the distance, letting my eyes roam the decorated walls.
The room is bigger than Sienna’s, but it’s nothing like mine. There’s a small sitting area in the corner with couches surrounding it. A TV hangs on the wall, but it’s off.
Portraits of him and a corkboard with pictures of him in different years, holding a medal between his teeth, cover his grey walls. His brothers are in some of the photos.
“Take your time,” Brynne mocks. I hasten up, sinking onto the edge of the bed. He positions himself between my legs, his fingers curled under my jaw. “Open for me.”
My lips part, and I grip the sheet. He smiles, his hands going to his buckle. Tears well in my eyes, and my breath comes out in ragged pants. I don’t want him in my mouth.
A while later, he frees himself. I dry heave, unable to keep eye contact with his massive erection. My fear and anxiety don’t bother him. His hand returns to my jaw, tilting my head upward so his tip presses against my mouth. A warning flashes in his eyes when I refuse to open, but I can’t. I don’t want it.
“Can I do something else? Please?” Taking advantage of my speech, he slides into my mouth. His thickness pulses on my tongue, and his piercings catch on my teeth. I let out a soft, “Brynne, please.”
It’s my first time calling him by his name. Instead of punishing me for the disrespect or pointing it out, he stops. I scoot out of reach, allowing him to slip out.
Sex. He wants sex. I can give him that without violating other parts of my body. I force myself to flatten my back on the bed, my hands shaking as they flip my skirt upward.
Since he has my underwear already, I spread my legs open and squeeze my eyes shut. I don’t care what he says, but I won’t watch him steal another thing from me.
“Make it quick,” I tell him.
A moment passes, and the mattress dips with his weight. I inhale shakily, still fisting the sheets. My entire body tenses in dreadful anticipation. I’m so sure I’ll combust, but I hold steady. He did his part. It’s time for me to do mine.
Another minute passes, but nothing happens. I don’t feel him, only the caress of my skirt brushing my thighs as it’s set back in place.
Is he really intent on using my mouth? My eyes open, and I notice two things. One, he’s dressed properly. Two, he’s clearly amused. I say nothing.
“Your maid has been taken to her dorm. You can see her tomorrow,” he says. It sounds like a suggestion, but I know it’s an order. Still, that’s fine with me. As long as she’s safe, even if bruised. But how does he know she left? We’ve both been here without contact from anyone. “You owe me a favor. I’ll collect some other time.”
“What are you saying?” I ask. He places both hands on his hips, and I let out a squeaky, “I can leave?”
“Yes,” he says. But I don’t move an inch. I wait a few more seconds to know if this is him pulling a prank, but he nods toward the door. “You can go.”
Relief surges through my chest, and a small smile breaks out on my lips. I can go. This is not total freedom, but he’s not having his way with me today.
“Thank you,” I say, voice heavy with sincerity. I try to climb off the bed, but fall back onto it. He snorts, stretching his hand to help. I pull away, still smart enough to know this freedom isn’t a truce. He rolls his eyes and yanks me to my feet. Avoiding his gaze in case he changes his mind, I tell him, “Thank you.”
Maybe the next time we see each other, he won’t request sexual favors, but something more doable. Either way, I don’t wait another second in his room, but rush to my suite. Only when the door is locked behind me do I breathe regularly again.