12. Alaric

12

Alaric

I felt quite smug after my misbehavior at dinner. No real consequences came of it—Jade didn't moan, or ask me to stop, or even shoot a disapproving glance in my direction—so I thought I'd gotten away with my rebellious antics.

But I should've known that nothing could be further from the truth.

When we stood to leave from the dinner table, he pulled me aside, smiling politely as if nothing was wrong.

"Now, it would be customary for me to escort you to your hotel room," he began, "but I'd like to give you a private tour of my office first."

On the surface, it sounded like a genuine suggestion, but the quality of his voice cut me to the bone. A real shiver ran over my skin. It wasn't a suggestion at all—it was both a promise and a threat.

Maybe I shouldn't have teased him so hard at dinner...

"That sounds wonderful," I said through a thin, slightly terrified smile.

Jade beamed. "Excellent."

I swallowed at the barely perceptible icy edge in his voice. To an outsider looking in, Jade's entire persona was classy and civil. But now that I was acquainted with his perverted underbelly, I knew I'd stepped into a big heap of trouble.

"Night, Alaric!" Aurum called as the brothers peeled away from each other. "Don't let Jade bore you to death with his books."

Jade's smile was a curved knife edge. "Oh, he won't have to worry about that."

Goosebumps prickled my skin.

Thystle snorted. "Hey, if they're gonna be together, Alaric has to learn to deal with Jade's book fetish."

The two young alphas snickered and waved goodnight, leaving me alone with the demon himself. They made no attempt to save me from my fate. Was Jade's polite facade so unclockable that even his own brothers didn't notice?

The journey up the expansive staircase was a walk of shame, like I was a misbehaving student being led to the principal's office. Jade offered no small-talk during the trek. Cold restraint radiated from him like a ghastly aura. At one point, I wondered if he was genuinely angry with me, but as if sensing my mood shift, he glanced over his shoulder and flashed a warm smile that dispelled my worries.

So, no, he wasn't mad.

Then why did it feel like he was about to murder me?

"Here we are," Jade said, pushing open the door to his office.

It was familiar at this point, thanks to my various visits, but now a lingering unease hung in the air. I stepped inside, vaguely comforted by the scent of books, but that comfort vanished as Jade shut the door behind me—and locked it.

The hairs rose on the back of my neck. I cleared my throat.

"So, um... Is everything all right?" I asked.

Jade gave me another knife-sharp smile. "Of course. Why, is something on your mind?"

I shuffled on the balls of my feet. "You seem upset."

"Not at all." Jade's tone was genuine. "There's nothing to be upset about. I simply promised you a private tour of my office, did I not?"

I huffed nervously, crossing my arms. "All right, let's not beat around the bush. You're annoyed at my... illicit behavior during dinner, aren't you?"

He exhaled an airy laugh. "Not at all, dear Alaric."

I squinted at him suspiciously. His tone of voice and body language were perfectly normal, yet his poison aura was thicker than fog. This dragon was a master manipulator. And for some fucking reason, that only intensified my attraction to him. Maybe I was weak to his particular flavor of poison. Or maybe I was just messed up in the head, too.

Jade circled me like a predator assessing his prey. His eyes were emerald shards pinning me in place. I couldn't have run even if I wanted to. But I didn't want to. I wanted to know the depths of Jade's depravity. Some unfathomable part of my soul craved the experience.

They don't say ‘curiosity killed the cat' for nothing.

I stood motionless, giving Jade the floor. I only breathed in and out, filling my nose with the scent of old books and rich alpha musk. Jade's scent was tantalizing. Every whiff further ignited my desperation for him.

Finally, Jade stopped and examined me for a long moment. Then he chuckled warmly. "You're adorable, Alaric."

I blinked in surprise, then scoffed. "Come on. Don't waste my time with all that build-up just to call me cute. If you're going to do something, then do it."

Another slow laugh escaped him. "Patience is a virtue."

"Somehow I don't think you're the virtuous type."

His long legs carried him closer to me in a single stride. "I'm not," he agreed. "But a little foreplay is fun."

My heart skittered like a pebble tumbling down a cliff. His nose was inches away from mine, his lips dangerously within range. Jade's every motion was sinuous and calculated. For a moment, I imagined him shifting into his dragon form and swallowing me whole like a snake. I shuddered at the strangely sensual fantasy.

Jade did not swallow me whole. Instead he cupped my cheek with his pale hand, caressing me like a priceless piece of china. In spite of their jagged edges, his green eyes flickered with real warmth. It reminded me that—whatever was about to happen—Jade truly cared about me.

I gasped as my collar suddenly tightened. While Jade's gaze hypnotized me, his other hand sneaked up to my neck. Two fingers slipped beneath the leather band and tugged it sharply, constricting the air from my lungs.

A hot jolt of arousal coursed through me. My pulse quickened. The slight lack of breath made me dizzy with pleasure. I could still breathe, but it was at Jade's whim, and that was perplexingly erotic.

Jade beamed with adoration. "You're going to be a good kitty and do as I say," he stated. There was no room for argument.

I swallowed, then nodded. In a few brief seconds he'd rendered me too aroused to speak. But that response wasn't good enough for Jade.

"Say it," he insisted.

I forced words past the sudden dryness in my throat. "I'll do as you say," I promised.

"Good kitty." His praise filled me with velvety heat. "If you wish to stop at any time, please say ‘swans.'"

I snorted, remembering the swan towels I'd tossed off the bed in a fit of rage. That felt like so long ago now.

"All right," I agreed.

"If for whatever reason you cannot speak, tap your hand twice like this." Jade demonstrated, tapping his index and middle finger firmly against his opposite hand. "I'll never put you in a position where you can't do that. Are we clear?"

He was going to put me into positions? Dear gods, what had I gotten myself into?

"Crystal," I said.

He smiled like we'd just concluded a successful business meeting. "Wonderful."

In the next moment, I half-expected him to rip my clothes off and spank my ass with a wooden paddle. Instead Jade stepped away and sank into a hunter green velvet armchair in front of a wall of books. I felt strangely disappointed until he said, "Now, strip."

My arousal flared again. "You're not going to rip my clothes off?"

"No."

Arrogant and lazy , I thought, somewhat annoyed but mostly amused.

I put aside my confusion and began unbuttoning my blouse. Right away I realized why Jade hadn't done it himself. Performing such a private action while being watched felt vulnerable and charged. I was literally stripping for him.

As the clothing disappeared from my body, Jade sat fully dressed in his seat. Only his face and hands were exposed as I stood nude across from him.

My heartbeat skipped with exhilaration. I was utterly exposed, a piece of meat on display for Jade's pleasure. As I swallowed past the tightness in my throat, I grew highly aware of his collar wrapped possessively around my neck.

"Come towards me," Jade instructed.

My feet shuffled forward. I felt awkward standing while naked, but I forgot about it when Jade pointed to the floor in a silent command to sit. My knees trembled as I obeyed.

"Closer," he said. "I want you between my legs."

My chest tightened around my racing heart. I moved closer until his spread knees flanked my head.

Jade smiled. "Good kitten."

I nearly fainted as all the blood in my head flowed down to my cock.

He cupped my face, then stroked my hair. His fingers were gentle and gratifying. My eyes slipped shut as he lulled me into total relaxation. As my body went limp, I rested my cheek on his thigh.

"There you go," he murmured. "That's nice, isn't it?"

I nodded against his leg.

Jade touched my neck. He fondled the collar, making the heart-shaped locket jingle. "You've been very good at keeping this on. I'm proud of you."

A fuzzy film coated my mind. I nodded again, happy to be drunk on his honeyed words.

"I almost want to praise you all night long," Jade said. "But you were a naughty kitten tonight, so you must be punished."

A shiver ran down my back. I still didn't know what his punishment entailed, but I found myself surprisingly eager to find out.

"Will it... hurt?" I asked.

Jade's voice was a warm blanket swaddling my nerves. "Only if you want it to."

That shot a thrill of anticipation through me. I realized that if it was by Jade's hand, I would try anything.

"Okay," I rasped.

Jade gave my hair a final pet before sitting back in his seat. "Let's start with a simple punishment. Put your mouth against my cock."

I arched a brow. "That's not a punishment."

But Jade's smirk betrayed his ulterior motives. "Your alpha knows best. Be a good kitten and obey me."

A hot jolt of arousal stabbed me. Why was it so fucking hot when he was an asshole?

Jade spread his legs wider. His bulge was visible in his pants. The dryness in my mouth was overtaken by a flood of saliva. I moved closer until my nose brushed the warm fabric. Jade cupped the back of my head and pushed me gently into the bulge. The heady scent filled my nose. I gasped, shivering as another hit of arousal electrified my system.

"That's better, isn't it? That's where you belong," he said.

"Y-yeah."

His hand pushed me closer. My nose and mouth crushed against his erection. Every breath flooded my senses with his musky scent. Only a thin layer separated us. He was so close I could practically taste him.

"Don't speak, kitten," Jade instructed kindly. "Use that little mouth to pleasure me."

My brain melted into mush. I parted my lips and mouthed at his cock. Each minuscule motion felt more hypersensitive than the last. As Jade's cock twitched and jerked in response to my lips, my blood burned with lust.

He exhaled quietly through his nose. "That's it. Good."

My heart skipped with joy at his praise. I liked knowing I made him feel good.

His fingers laced through my hair in a rhythmic motion. It was a wonderful feedback loop. I felt warm and dreamy. I didn't want this to end.

A rumble rose in my throat. I started purring as I mouthed Jade's cock.

He chuckled, caressing the back of my head. "You like it that much, kitten?"

A whimper escaped me. Each time Jade spoke, my thoughts evaporated and I sank into a pool of pure bliss.

Purrs overflowed from my lips as they moved over his clothed cock. His musky scent was overwhelming. It made my own erection ache as it bobbed untouched against my thigh.

Jade hummed and threaded his fingers through my hair. "Good," he praised, his voice thicker than before.

My heart sped up. I couldn't take being separated by his clothes anymore. I wanted my lips on his bare skin.

I lifted my head. "Can I please—"

Jade clicked his tongue admonishingly. "What did I say about speaking?"

"But I want your cock," I whined.

"Ah, ah, ah. This is a punishment, remember?"

Then he shut me up by pushing my face into his clothed groin again. His dastardly plan dawned on me—he'd tempted me with his cock, then refused to give it to me. I moaned with sexual frustration. He was so evil.

Jade grunted as he bucked his hips, grinding his clothed cock against my mouth. I was so annoyed. I wanted it in my mouth. I wanted to taste him.

Exasperated, I groaned loudly. "Jade, please."

Jade's fingers tightened in my hair. He pulled my head back. I gasped—not because it hurt, but because my lips weren't against his bulge anymore.

"What did I say?" he demanded.

I pouted. "You said... no speaking."

"And what did you do?"

I eyed his bulge. Even from here, I could see it twitching in his pants. My mouth watered.

"I spoke," I mumbled, flashing him my best sad kitten eyes. Maybe if he thought I was cute enough, he'd let me blow him.

But my plan didn't work. He pushed me to my knees, as if gently shoving a rude cat off the dinner table. I glanced quizzically up at him. Was my punishment over—or was it just beginning?

"Don't move," Jade ordered. He sounded serious.

I opened my mouth to speak, then remembered his command, so I nodded instead.

Jade's eyes never left mine as he undid his zipper. I knelt there, inches away, frozen by his gaze. With the zipper fully open, Jade's cock fell out, still straining against his silk underwear.

My pulse skyrocketed. I'd never wanted to throw myself on an alpha so desperately.

Jade noticed my hungry stare and grinned. "You want it, don't you?"

I nodded vigorously.

"Too bad," Jade stated.

Disappointment and frustration made me groan. I knew I was being punished, but come on .

Jade stood in a fluid, graceful motion. "I'm going to get something. Wait there."

I nodded again, staying put. Curiosity gnawed at me. I wanted to look over my shoulder and see what Jade was doing, but I didn't want to be penalized.

Jade's footsteps stopped behind me. His hands slid down my arms, then folded them behind my back. I didn't move.

"You may speak until I tell you to stop. I'm tying your wrists," Jade explained. "Is that all right, kitten?"

I mustered the ability to speak past my painful arousal. "Yes."

A soft, corded object brushed my wrists. My curiosity won over.

"What is that?" I asked.

"Silk rope."

Jade lifted the end piece so I could see. It was a thick but luxurious rope in the same shade of green as his eyes. My pulse quickened. I'd never been tied up before, and until now, I didn't realize I had any desire to be.

I stayed still, letting Jade work his magic. I couldn't see him, but I felt his deft, skillful motions behind me. After a few moments, my wrists were tied together. I tested the bonds carefully, not wanting to break free or ruin Jade's hard work, but to my relief, they held strong. I wasn't getting out of them without Jade's help, and strangely, I liked that.

"How does that feel?" he asked.

"Good," I replied.

"Are you comfortable in that kneeling position?"

"Yes."

He sounded excited. "Wonderful. Now I'll tie your wrists to your ankles."

My pulse stumbled over itself. I was getting put into even more bondage?

Jade tied the knots fast. He'd clearly put in a lot of practice—probably on his pool toys.

My heart fluttered. Did that mean this was his first time tying somebody up? I wasn't worried; I trusted him, and he knew what he was doing. Rather, I felt special that I was Jade's first ‘victim.'

His graceful fingers skimmed across my bare feet. My skin tingled. A moment later the silky rope was woven around my ankles. I felt a tautness connecting them with my wrists, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

I shifted my weight, exploring the novel feeling of bondage. I couldn't move—I was bound, tight and secure, surrendered to Jade's whims. As my helplessness sank in, my skin prickled with sweat, and my heart thrummed fast with anticipation. I hadn't expected to enjoy this so much.

Jade swooped in from above me. A strand of his hair fell loose from its neat arrangement and brushed my cheek.

"You look so beautiful tied up, kitten," he murmured.

I shivered as his words ghosted across my ear. He hadn't touched me once, yet my cock throbbed against my thigh.

"Shall I keep going?" Jade asked. "Or are you comfortable at this level?"

I didn't even think. "Keep going."

He ran a tender hand across my cheek. "My, you're adventurous. Or is it your kitten's curiosity driving you?"

I huffed. My remaining scrap of dignity chose not to respond.

Jade gave my cheek a gentle pat before resuming his rope work. He draped it around my neck, knotting it above and below the collar, like reinforcing pillars of ownership. Then he connected the rope to the silk cage restraining my wrists.

My pulse pounded against my throat. I was fully immobile, yet I didn't feel unsafe or claustrophobic. I felt strangely secure in my helplessness. I was prey caught in the web of the world's most dangerous and devoted predator.

"Thoughts?" Jade asked.

I felt both the silk and leather on my neck shift as I spoke. "I like it," I said, embarrassed by how feeble I sounded.

"Truly?"

I heard the subtle glee in his voice. He was like a kid in a candy store.

"Yes, truly," I replied.

He hesitated. "There's one more thing I'd like to do. Will you trust me?"

"Obviously, I trust you," I mumbled. "Do whatever you want."

More soberly, he pressed, "Yes, but do you want it?"

My cheeks burned up at having to say it. "Yes, I want whatever medieval fetish torture you're going to put me through."

He laughed softly. "It's nothing like that."

When Jade began to move, I wondered what else he'd throw at me. A second later, the world went dark. He'd covered my eyes with a pitch-black strip of fabric. With my vision gone, my other senses flew into overdrive. The silk rope encasing my body felt softer, more snug. My skin hummed with heat and glistened with sweat. Jade's scent swirled around me like an intoxicating perfume of incense and natural musk.

"Is this all right, kitten?" he asked.

My heartbeat wracked my chest. I was sure Jade could see my shoulders tremble with each fierce beat.

"Yes," I breathed.

He kissed my cheek. "You've been so brave, facing your punishment."

Warmth spread through my chest. His praise always felt like an indulgence.

Cool air rushed against my hot skin as Jade stood and stepped away. I sensed him in front of me now. I sucked in a ragged breath as he came closer. His crotch was at my face level, but Jade didn't close the gap between us. He left a deliberate, frustrating space between his clothed erection and my mouth.

"You're the worst," I muttered.

I heard the smug grin in his voice as he replied, "You got yourself into this mess, kitten."

Dammit. If I'd kept my hands to myself at dinner, I would've had a mouthful of dragon cock by now. Instead Jade was torturing me like some evil bondage overlord.

He was just near enough that I felt air move with each motion. Jade rustled with something, and I heard what sounded like the quiet snap of an elastic. Did he lower his underwear?

I bit my lip. I imagined his rigid, throbbing shaft right in front of me, finally free of all the clothing. And he wasn't even letting me have it.

Jade released a gratified hiss through his teeth followed by a quiet, subtle moan. I imagined him holding his cock, finally touching it after all that build up, and how good it must've felt. I grew more irritated that I wasn't the one touching it.

Shuffling noises told me Jade began to stroke himself. This wasn't fair—I was inches away, ready and willing and desperate to take him into my mouth, but instead he taunted me.

As if reading my mind, Jade said breathlessly, "See, kitten? If you hadn't been naughty, you would've had your prize by now."

I growled in frustration, restlessly shifting my weight from knee to knee. I considered breaking the unspoken rule—I could lean forward and take what I wanted—but knowing Jade, that'd earn me an even harsher punishment. Probably no sex for a month or something similarly cruel. I had to behave.

"You want this, don't you?" Jade asked through audible panting.

My cock twitched. Damn him. I ground my teeth and nodded.

He chuckled. "I can tell."

I heard the shuffle of fabric and air. Suddenly, I gasped and went ramrod straight. As the smooth side of Jade's leather shoe touched my sensitive cock, a bolt of pleasure seared up my spine. Arousal throbbed under my skin like a deep bass rhythm. I was painfully hard.

"You're so cute when you're helpless," Jade said.

I shivered. In spite of his cruel goading, it felt so good to be at his mercy.

Jade grazed his shoe up the length of my shaft. I sucked in a sharp breath as pleasure electrified me. I held my breath as it passed over me like a wave. But Jade didn't give me a second to breathe. He stroked my cock with his shoe, rubbing the smooth leather up and down. I couldn't hold back anymore—I cried out, bucking into the humiliating pleasure.

"There, there, kitten," Jade soothed. "You've taken your punishment well. Does that feel nice?"

"Yes." It came out in a ragged gasp.

I hissed as Jade's foot travelled along the underside of my shaft, then teased the other side of it. I trembled with need. How long could I bear this without blowing my load?

"Please," I mewled.

Jade's foot paused. "What's that, kitten? You want more?"

I clenched my eyes shut behind the covering. I hoped I hadn't said the wrong thing and prolonged my lustful suffering.

Then something magical happened.

The tip of Jade's cock touched my lips. I went still, afraid to breathe. I was terrified of making a wrong move when I was so close to the fruition of my desires.

"Don't be scared," Jade reassured warmly. "You've been good, and handled your punishment well."

My heart soared. Did that mean...?

"You may suck my cock now," Jade said.

The dam of restraint broke within me. I parted my lips and latched onto the head of Jade's cock with embarrassing desperation. Saliva trickled out of the corners of my mouth as I gulped him down, savoring the thick taste and smell of him. The fact that I couldn't see or move only heightened my sensory overload.

Jade cupped the back of my head with a soft groan of pleasure. "Good job. You're doing so well."

I whimpered around his cock. His praise made me melt. My brain was fogged with lust, my body seized by it, my desires fuelled by it. I dragged my tongue across every inch of available skin, licking so furiously my tongue began to ache.

Jade laughed softly. "Slow down, kitten. Your punishment is over. My cock isn't going anywhere."

I allowed myself to relax. After his relentless taunting, it was nice to know he wouldn't punish me anymore.

Jade guided my head in time with my movements. I fell into a sex-crazed trance, sucking him off with subservient fervor. Each time he jerked or moaned it threw gas on the flames of my carnality. I was as hard as I could be without coming.

Then, one more time, Jade's shoe stroked my hyper-sensitive cock.

I lost all control. My body went rigid in the silk rope bondage. I came in a violent explosion of ecstasy. My cries were muffled around Jade's cock. My vision blurred; the floor felt like it was rolling.

Jade's fingers clutched the back of my head. He grunted, then let out a raw, uninhibited cry. His shaft twitched violently before releasing a torrent onto the back of my tongue, spilling down my throat. I gulped as much as I could down before Jade withdrew, letting me gasp for air as spit and cum trickled down my chin.

The fuzzy aftershocks of my release went on for what felt like minutes. I was breathless and dizzy from pleasure. I thought I'd tip over when two firm hands gripped my shoulders.

"Are you all right?" Jade asked, panting hard.

I swallowed again, trying to clear the fluid from my mouth. "Yes."

A second later I felt a silky fabric carefully wipe my chin and face. Even in the post-orgasm daze, Jade took care of me.

He kissed my cheeks in a flurry of motion. "You were wonderful, Alaric," he murmured, his voice almost desperate in its tenderness. "You're so good and beautiful."

My heart quivered. A sudden onslaught of emotion washed over me.

That wasn't just sex. That felt like something more.

I inhaled shakily as Jade undid my restraints. The eye covering disappeared first, followed by the ropes. He moved quickly and with purpose, like he didn't want me to be tied up for a needless second longer. When he finished, I sat back on my ass, examining my wrists and ankles. There was a slight indentation in my skin, but it didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable. That didn't stop Jade from taking my wrists and kissing them gently where the ropes had lain.

My heart stirred again, floating to some higher plane of bliss. Now that I could see him again, he looked even more handsome.

With lightning-strike clarity, I realized I was in love with him.

I blinked, staring at Jade as he pressed soft kisses to my skin. I was so, so in love with him.

My breath caught in my throat. The thick scents of incense and sex and books suddenly felt suffocating.

It wasn't fair to Jade. He'd bared his soul to me, yet I hadn't reciprocated anything. There was so much he didn't even know.

"Can we go outside?" I asked in a ragged voice. "There's something I need to tell you."