Chapter 32

**Rosella…**

I'm really doing this… I'm going to hand him the power back. Will the dynamics of our relation change? I think so. Am I ready for things to change? I don't know.

Time to find out.

I can't control the trembling of my hand as I reach out to touch him. I stare at his plush lips to focus on the present instead of focusing on what's about to come. He can't know that I'm scared out of my mind. I don't want to give him any wrong impression. I just want to hand him the responsibility and get over with it. Then he can do whatever he wants to do with me and I'll go along.

Don't think about the possibilities… I keep telling myself.

My hand is just an inch away from his cheek. This is it! Despite my efforts, my eyes fall shut when I close the distance between us. But instead of feeling his skin, I feel the coldness of the iron wrought headboard. My eyes fly open as a frown pulls down my brows.

He has moved away. My head lifts up to find him standing, a few steps away from the bed. What the… did I do something wrong? Was I not supposed to touch him, yet?

Panic arises. I crawl to the edge of bed and swing my legs to put them on the cold floor. But I don't stand up. I decide to call for him. Then realise that I don't know if I should call him by his name or by the title of "Master". I've never heard him use my name before. Maybe now that we know some things about each other, we are on the same ground.

But something in me hesitates. I don't say his name. Instead, I choose to be direct. “What happened? Did I do something wrong?”

He doesn't respond right away. I become nervous. Standing up, I shuffle forward but before I can reach out for him, he moves away. I wince inwardly, feeling like he has whipped me.

Why? The feeling scares me. I hope I haven't made a mistake by slaying myself open for him.

“What's the matter?” My voice trembles. I stand with my arms crossed over my chest. I'm feeling cold again. And scared.

“You're ready to put everything behind you, just like that? I haven't made any amendments. Do you understand what I'm going to do with you if you freed me from the restraints of my promise? ” He grits out, pacing back and forth.

“I do understand. What do you take me for? I might not be so wise but I'm not that thick.” I speak with indignation.

I mean, seriously? He thinks I'm so dumb that I won't be able to hear the clear warning in his words. He's not a good guy and I never considered him. He's in that kind of business that takes courage, intelligence and a mindset that's prepared for facing the worst case scenarios that walk around in this world, ready to tackle you down. I've got my fair share of glimpse in this world and I already don't want to go back there.

But this man wants me. And that's something I can't pass. Nobody, not even my own blood wanted me, ever. But this beautiful stranger who doesn't even know me, wants me. I still can't believe it. And the only way I'm ever going to be able to believe is when he'll show me just how much he wants me and how far he can go to have me.

“I'm not trying to fool myself here. I might not know everything but I have some semblance of an idea about what I'm getting myself into. I've always taken the high road and avoided everything that threatened to break me out of my comfort zone. But I want to change it tonight.”

“Fine then. I dare you. Touch me and set me free.” He says menacingly, twisting the poetic words into something dark and dangerous. He stops pacing to face me, stalking up to me like a Predator. “But be warned, I won't let you go. Ever. The words I gave you, you'll be returning them to me by touching me.”

When he comes to stand just a breath away from me, I stare up into his charged eyes and feel the shock waves run down to my core.

“I wasn't bluffing when I said that you don't want me around in this mood. I've not been taking my pills for a week now. I am holding onto my composure by a thread. If you want to touch me now, it's your death wish. Because you have kept me waiting for too long.”

My mind turns erratic. He has really started to scare me now. It isn't a joke. Am I seriously capable of this? He's known to be a Sadist and a Dominant. He won't give me any freedom if I gave him my liberties. He won't let me have the upper hand if I gave him the allowance. He's right.

Handing myself over is a death wish.

…and I'll happily sacrifice myself for him.

What do I have to lose, anyway?

My parents have already washed their hands off me. I was never going to let Jonathan in. I never thought of him in that way and with my past, I think it's better if I stay away from them.

Determination settles in. I raise my chin. “Do your worst, Adrian. I'm going to touch you anyway. Your warnings can't stop me now.”

“Very well then. Go ahead and touch me. I'll write your fate.” He whispers in a brittle tone. His electric blue eyes crackle with darkness.

My breathing shallows as I lift my shaking hand and place it on his cheek. My skin tingles where it makes contact with his gruff jaw. My thumb traces the sexy mold of his lips. Without warning, his lips part, suck in my thumb and bite. Hard.

“Ouch! What was that for?” I ask, jerking my hand away.

He leans in closer, making me flush with heat as desire swells in my core. “For addressing me by my name.”

I frown up at him. “What's wrong with that? I just touched you and —”

“And gave yourself to me.” He cuts me off with an evil smirk. “First things first, you're still my esclave and I'm still your master. You should ask for permission if you want to say my name. Nothing has changed, Esclave. I'm still very much the same person, except I'm burning with the need to fuck you now. I couldn't do it without your consent. But now, I not only have your consent, but all of you. And it's about time I let myself have what has always belonged to me since the day I saw you dressed like a fucking goddess.”

I scowl, my mind taking a 180 degree turn at the word "Esclave". I know I provoked him with that word. But that doesn't mean he can use it to control me… Or can he?

“But you said —” Before I can protest, he claims my mouth.

I freeze under the movements of his lips against mine. His lips are unbelievably soft but persistent. It shocks me and I'm dumbfounded. I thought he was going to be harsh with me.

Forcing myself to feel the kiss, I bring my arms around his neck, letting go of the grudge for now. Tentatively, one of his hands slides up to cup my cheek, holding me in place to deepen the kiss. He gives me time to learn the pattern of the motion of his lips as they melt against mine.

But he still hasn't been able to elicit any heart-stopping reaction from me. Instead of intensifying, my desire dampens. Is this how it feels to be kissed? It's so… mundane. I can't feel a thing. No tingling or any sensation. I don't even feel comforted.

He breaks away from the kiss. I pant but he barely looks like he has been kissing me. Confusion flashes in his eyes. An uncomfortable silence falls in between us. I step away, feeling self-conscious about the kiss. I shift on my feet while he stares at me with a puzzled frown on his face. I watch him transform in front of me. He rakes his hands through his hair, paces for a while, stares at me then does that all over again.

“What's wrong?” I ask, flush with discomfort and unease.

“Get some rest. We'll talk tomorrow.” He mutters, scowling and within the minute, he's out of the room.

I blink after him. My mind, a whirlwind of confusion and disappointment. Did he just walk out on me? Right after I threw myself out on the stack?

Anger churns up in my chest, bruising my sensitivity and freezing my desire over. That Bastard… I gave up on myself for him and he's still unsure about me. I had felt the hesitation behind his soft kiss. I had felt him holding back on me.

If he thinks he can get away with this… then he has another thing coming.

I ball my fists and grit my teeth. Breathing and blinking back my treacherous tears, I bolt out of the room and spot him just as he takes a turn near the corner. I hurry down the corridor but by the time I take the turn, he has disappeared.

I frown looking around for any sign of him. My eyes land on a slightly open door at the end. I set off for the door and throw it open when I get there.

But the sight that greets me, leaves me stunned. I'm standing at the threshold of a huge gym and watching Adrian beat the crap out of a punching bag, suspended from the ceiling. His focus never wavers. He continues landing blows after hard blows.

My mouth goes dry as I gawk at him in full action. He seems really worked up and I don't know why, but it feels like with every brutal punch he's getting more and more aggressive… Out of control.

I gulp, hard.

My eyes rove over his perfect body. His hard muscles flex as he swings his fist, laser-focused on the bag. Veins pop out on his arms, wounding up his neck, showing acute restrain.

Shaking my head, I take deep breaths, averting my eyes from his shirtless body and fold my arms across my chest. I search for the anger that had pushed me to follow him. But it seems like it fled right after I saw his glorious body. Traitor!

Conjuring up some courage, I speak. “Why did you leave so abruptly?”

He doesn't even spare me a glance. I scowl with annoyance. “Why did you run away from me?”

He says nothing but I see his jaw set, a muscle ticking impatiently. He hits the punching bag even harder. A thrill runs down my body, I shiver at his ruthlessness.

This much is sure he's not going to talk to me. Something has bothered him.

I let out an agitated sigh as my hands curl and uncurl, restlessly. I glance over his shoulder, catching the glimpse of the night sky through the glass sliding doors. An idea strikes, making me bite my lip and look back at him… just in time to find him avert his eyes from me.

Ooooh… So he does realize I exist.

A smirk plays at the corner of my lips as I ignore his powerful body charging at the bag with strong punches and stroll past him to get out on the wide balcony that overlooks the expanse of forest within the boundaries of the property.

Leaning over the iron wrought railing, I gaze up at the shimmering moon, basking in its glow as I wait for him to come for me. I hope he comes for me. After waiting for another minute, I realize that the thudding sound has stopped and a deep silence has fallen around me.

Biting my lip, I straighten up then unbutton the top few buttons of the dress shirt, just enough to reveal the valley between my breasts. I turn around, my smile fading away when I find him leaning with his shoulder against the sliding door. My eyes drop down to his hands as he wipes his bruised and bloodied knuckles with a paper towel.

I wince for him as he ambles out to join me on the balcony, resuming my previous position; facing the open sky. My nerves frail when his sweat-soaked skin brushes against my clothed arm. My breathing accelerates but he seems unaffected.

Maybe I should up my game… I lean back against the cool railing and prop my elbows on it. Allowing my dark hair to hang loose, I shake my head experimentally and tilt my head to glimpse at his side profile. He stands, leaning with his forearms on the railing, completely still.

Then ever so slightly, he shifts in my direction and glances at me with brows arched. His eyes spark with a cold glint. “What do you think you're doing, Esclave?”

That word again!

I scowl at him and twist to face him.

“I'm not 'Esclave'! I gave you everything you wanted. I freed you from your promise but instead of taking advantage, you left me. Why? Because I couldn't kiss you back? I had warned you that I've never been kissed before. I'm sorry if I disappointed.” I expected to sound angry but more than anything, I sound hurt. Damn it!

His eyes flash dangerously. “You think I left because you couldn't kiss me? God, are you seriously this naive? I had wanted to rip you apart when I kissed you and you didn't respond. I kissed you so softly because I knew you have never been kissed before and I wanted to make it the best kiss of your whole damned life. But I failed and it's like a really big blow to my ego.”

He runs his fingers through his hair in what it looks like frustration.

“I know I'm a good kisser. Damn it! I'm good at almost everything! But since the day I've met you, you make me feel like I was living under an illusion. You make me feel like I'm not enough. Not for you. Nothing I do works on you. You turn me on my own self and that irritates the fuck out of me!”

I stare at him, shell-shocked. He just said that, didn't he? My heart soars and all of my defenses drop. He has disarmed, just like he does all the time. I feel for him, his helplessness. I feel the same way but it's not going to help my cause if I tell him that.

So I do what I think will work.

I drop to my knees and gaze up at his face through my eyelashes. He tucks in his chin to look at me, his eyes sliding down to my eyes, to my mouth, to my neck, to my exposed chest, then lower…

My hands fist as I prepare myself to let go of my virtue, the only thing I have never thought I would give up for anyone… ANYONE!

“Take me, Master. Punish me for making you feel so miserable. I've been a bad girl, a really very bad girl. But I'm your Esclave. Set me straight, please and accept my offer.”

The words tumble out of my mouth smoothly… Seductively… The salaciousness of my tone surprises me but I don't waver. I hold my my ground and beg him with my eyes.

A slow sexy smile graces the corner of his lip, his stark blue eyes stare right through me… Through my soul… and in that moment, I realize that I've walked right into his intricately woven trap. Crap!

~~~~

**Adrian… **

I can't help but feel smug. She fell right into my trap.

And she has realized that too.

Hmm… Smart girl.

I thought it would take me longer than a few hours to get her submission and admission. But this went down quite easily. Maybe adding a little drama in reality, every now and then, can actually be an aid.

I had felt my Esclave's hesitation, seen fear and trepidation in her eyes. I know why she couldn't respond to me. I have her figured out all along and the experimental kiss had just put a seal on my beliefs.

My Esclave isn't as naive as she seems to be… She has layers to her personality, just like me. She has lurked in some really dark depths of depravity and I know she wants to venture, but self-consciousness and lack of the perfect partner never allowed her to step out of her comfort zone.

I know she sees my potential, just as she sees my threat. She's definitely used to having everything her way, never letting go of the charge completely. I've studied her very closely, reading her body language and reading the alteration in her body language in every situation.

At first, I had thought that it was her innocence that made her so vulnerable, yet impossible to crack. But I understand it now, it's not her innocence… it's her knowledge. She knows too much and she's extremely adept at containing it all without revealing her wisdom.

I'd said this before and I'd say this again, I've never met someone like her. Never! I can't believe that such a mysteriously explicit creature even exists…!

Gazing down in the fathomless abyss of her eyes, I clasp her chin between my fingers and tip her chin back. She clenches her jaw at my touch, her dark eyes flaring wide with outrage. I just smirk and get down on one knee to bring us to the same level.

“Why?” She asks, glaring right in my eyes. “I gave you what you wanted. Why do all of this? Why manipulate me?”

I allow my lips to quirk up as I trace my thumb across her pale soft cheek. She shivers at my feather light caress and bask in the pleasure of being able to touch her for a while. Then with a shake of my head, I retreat to put some space between us.

“You weren't giving me everything. You might have thought that after you touched me, I would just throw you on the bed and have my way with you. And from what I've observed so far, I'm damn sure you would have enjoyed being taken against your will. But I no longer desire that.”

Her jaw goes slack as she ingests my words. Then snaps out of the state of shock to climb up on her feet and face me with defiance shimmering in her eyes. “You think I would enjoy being raped? By you?! You're out of your damned mind! I trusted you, you earned my faith. That's why I gave you my consent. I knew you would not hurt me and you'd keep me safe.”

I study her for a while, trying to understand why it is so hard for her to accept the truth. My head cocked to the side, I watch her scowl at me. Shaking my head in pity, I respond in a flat tone. “It would have been more pleasurable for you if you would just shed that innocent facade and accept me and trust me completely to take you beyond the horizon. I had got you wrong before but surprisingly my methods worked in cracking your solid armour and get a glimpse inside. I had wanted you to fight me, wanted you to push me away, misbehave, so that I can fuck you the way I want but now I've realised that that's exactly what you want from me.”

She snorts in disbelief. “You're delirious!”

My lips thin. I step towards her. She steps back but keeps glaring at me. “Really?”

She averts her eyes from me when I glare right back, challenging her with my stance to test me. At that moment, I decide that I can't take it anymore. If I have to break her, shatter her completely, in order to bring out her true self, then so be it.

I'm ready to go as far as she's willing to push me.

Without another word, I set my jaw and pounce on her. She squeals, looking at me as though I'm a feral. She tries to run away. But I grab her hair and jerk her back against my back before she can get too far. “No, you don't. I'm not going to let you go this time. You have displeased your master, severely. It's time to pay now.”

“Let go of me, you twisted bastard!” She screams and wiggles in my grasp. Her hands claw at my arm as she tries to free herself from my fingers. She draws blood. My temper flares out of control.

With a guttural growl, that shuts her up, I whirl her around to face me and twist both us around to slam her against the railing. I wrench the shirt up. Her back archs as she hisses through her teeth, her bare ass makes contact with the cold substance.

“I know why you followed me down here. You came here to seduce me, didn't you? Why don't you do it now? Maybe I'll take some mercy on you, even after what you have put me through.” I speak in the same crook of her neck, my voice harsh and rough from the seething anger and desire that crashes inside my body.

She whimpers and I feel myself getting turned on by her struggling against me then softening to pull me in then pushing me away, only to do it all over again. Huh, and here she was telling me I'm delirious.

I've long lost my conscience and common sense because of her denial. And her stubbornness and defiance were the last straw. My control is gone. Nonexistent.

I pull back and tighten my arm around her waist, pushing her harder on cold iron. I hold her head still with my hand in her thick hair and bring my mouth close to her. Her wild, tear choked eyes see right through me. I flash her a sinister grin and before she can resist, I crash my mouth against her, diving tongue-first to invade the taste of her mouth. She gasps against my mouth, her fingers wrapping around my biceps. I can't tell if she's trying to push me away or pull me in. But I'm not releasing her this time. I just can't. She's so frustrating and stupid. I want to hurt but when she becomes complacent and meek, I hate myself for being cruel with an innocent.

My mouth ravishes, tongues dancing as I try to consume her, make her beg for me to take more. She tries to kiss me back with the same ardour but I can feel her softening in my arms. She presses her breasts against my bare chest. I groan against her mouth, sucking on her tongue.

“Take me. Please…” My Esclave moans as soon as we part, gasping for some air.

Without any further delay, I sweep her up in my arms and carry her back inside. I exit the gym and take her to the fifth floor, striding down the wide hallway at a slow pace. She's still trembling as her wet eyes flicker around, clouded with delirium.

I come to a stop in front of the French double doors. My heart thunders inside my chest as I stand there, body tense. It's been a long time since the last time I visited this room.

I glance down at the small courageous girl held up in my arms, who has just made a deal with the devil. Clenching my jaw, I put her down. She unwinds her arms from around my neck, watching me with innocent eyes. Fuck! I haven't even taken her inside and I'm already feeling guilty.

I take a deep breath and remind myself that she's not what she pretends to be. I can't afford to fall again.

“Open the door.” I command her as I back away. I wipe my expression clean and stare her down with hard eyes.

She swallows, looking dishevelled by my manhandling. Her uncertain eyes bounce between me and the door. I can sense the fear returning, the lustful clouds clearing from her eyes.

“What's in there?” She questions, voice quavering.

“Open the door and see for yourself.” I tilt my head, refusing to let down my guard.

“I don't want to know. Maybe I should just go and get some sleep…” She starts backing away from the door and me.

I drop my arms then scrub my face with my hand as I let out an exasperated sigh. “Oh, Esclave… Why do you insist on defying me?”

Without warning, I grasp her wrist and start leading her back to the door and open it myself. She digs her heels, begging me to let her go. My irritation flairs and I snap. “Stop! Just stop it!”

She freezes, eyes wide then struggles harder.

Grinding my teeth, I ignore her cries and kick the doors open. I jerk her forward and release her wrist. She goes stumbling inside the room. I step in behind her and lock the door.

There's no going for her now.

She. Will. Be. Mine.