Page 11 of Silver

I hear the toilet flush and the water running. By the time she emerges from the bathroom, I’m sitting on the edge of my bed, holding one of her books open, spine up.

It’s the first thing she sees. “Where’d you get that?” she asks, coming to a halt. Her cheeks pinken adorably.

“I went and got your car.” I point to the other books on the bed. “Interesting reading material. I feel like I know you much better already, naughty girl. Enlightening. You are deeply masochistic.”

She gasps. “They’re just books.”

“Books are a window to your soul, Daphne.”

Her chest rises and falls as she stares at me, chewing on her bottom lip.

“You know yourself well for someone so young,” I comment.

When she doesn’t respond, I know I’m right. She can’t deny it.

I stand and saunter closer, circling her, intimidating her, making her tremble. “I have a proposition for you.”

She whimpers. Fuck, I love that sound.

“You have needs, and so do I. I think they mesh together perfectly.” I continue to stroll around her slowly, keeping her off-balance. Seeing her tremble makes me so hard.

I’m fucked up. But so is she. Perfect puzzle pieces.

“You need a place to sleep, food in your stomach, a roof over your head, and clothes on your back. But that’s not all you need. You also need a firm hand, someone to keep you accountable. You probably don’t realize it, but you will thrive in a strict environment with rules and discipline designed to ensure your academic success.”

I pause in front of her. She has her head dipped low, half of her hair hanging around her face. She’s visibly shaking. Her fingers are white where she’s clasped them at her stomach.

“You’re a masochist, Daphne. And it turns out I’m a sadistic fucker.”

Her body shudders.

“It’s what you need. What you crave. I’ll scratch your itch. You’ll scratch mine.” I let several seconds tick by so she can think.

“You want me to stay here?” she finally asks.

“Yes. I’ll provide everything you need. Food, clothes, a bed, any books and academic supplies, transportation, anything.”

“Why?”

I close the distance between us and lift her chin with one finger. “Because what I crave is your total obedience.”

She’s breathing heavily. She searches my eyes. “Are you planning to hurt me?”

“Never. Nothing permanent. I will cause you pain when you need it. I will make you cry. But I won’t do any damage that requires stitches or causes open wounds. No broken bones. No blood.”

Her mouth is hanging open, eyes wide. More seconds pass. I don’t let her look away.

“Are you going to fuck me?”

“When you’re ready. Not for some time. Not until you’re so desperate that you beg me to put my cock in you.”

Another full-body shudder. “What if I say no?”

“You won’t.” I’m a cocky bastard. She can’t say no. For one thing, she needs my financial help. For another thing, her curiosity won’t let her deny me. “There will be no strip clubs. No more waiting tables. Your only job is to get good grades, and trust me when I say you will be a star student. You’ll graduate with the highest honors.”

She’s panting now. Unable to refuse the bone I’m dangling in front of her. “How did you know I was working at the diner?”

“I’ve seen you there. I assume it wasn’t paying enough to cover rent. That’s why you thought you’d start stripping for money.”