Page 118 of Office Intrigue (Office Intrigue Duet 1)
“What if I accidently look at someone?”
He smiled. “Don’t. You are there as my pet. Consider yourself an ornament for the evening.”
An ornament?
My jaw dropped open and I stared at him in shock. To be honest, I would rather be a fuck toy than an ornament. And wasn’t that just all kinds of fucked up?
“This is me allowing you to get a real glimpse of what it truly means to be submissive. You said you understood, but I don’t think you do. However, by the time the night is over, you’ll get a good understanding of what dedicated submissives will do for their masters.”
“But an ornament?”
“An ornament, pet. It’s a couple of hours.”
“Am I not supposed to eat dinner?”
He shook his head. “I will feed you.”
By this point, I was trembling. I’d read a lot of things about this lifestyle, but I guess I hadn’t actually believed that something like this really took place.
The light turned green and Master put his foot on the gas. A few minutes later, we arrived at our destination, where a valet met us outside and took the keys to Master’s car. While the place could’ve been misconstrued as an elaborate hotel, it was actually a house. Well, a mansion, to be exact, complete with a circle drive with a lavish waterfall in the middle of it. Apparently, TJ Arlington sold a lot of books.
Although I was dressed for the part, I felt completely out of my element. These people clearly had money to go along with their kink.
Rather than walking up to the porch, Master stood next to his car after helping me out. He curled his finger beneath my chin and leaned in close to speak.
“Remember, pet, it’s an honor for you to be here with me. You’re here because I want you here. And in order to please me, you will do as I’ve asked.”
I dropped my gaze to his chest and nodded. That was what he wanted, right?
“Look at me.” His command was low and rough.
I lifted my eyes to his.
His voice was deep and rough when he spoke. “From the moment I met you, Luci, I knew you would be mine. Tonight, I want you to prove to me and to everyone else that I was right.”
His?
Until tonight, I’d never gotten the impression that he wanted me for himself. He did seem content to bestow his wisdom, to train me, I guess you could say. But for him to declare that…
I was speechless.
I took a deep breath and stood up straight.
Master was right. It was an honor for me to be here with him. He didn’t have to invite me, but he had. And now that I was here, it was my honor and duty to please him. He was highly respected in these circles and I would not do anything to damage his reputation.
“As long as it pleases you,” I choked out.
He brushed his thumb over my bottom lip, then leaned down to kiss me. “It most certainly does. And tonight, once we’re back at my apartment, I’ll reward you for being a good girl.”
I was fairly certain sparks ignited beneath my skin from those words alone.
“And if you aren’t a good girl,” he said, keeping his tone low, “I will punish you.”
My heart sank as I remembered the spanking he’d given me. The worst part had been knowing how I’d failed him by not doing as he’d instructed. I refused to allow that to happen again.
“I won’t disappoint you, Master.”
He kissed me lightly again. “Not on purpose, I know. Now, let’s go enjoy the evening.”
Enjoy seemed like a stretch, but what did I know.
Forty-Nine
DO NOT SPEAK.
Do not look at anyone.
Those seemed like relatively easy instructions to follow.
However, the moment the door opened and we were greeted by the host, I found it nearly impossible to do anything Master had asked me to do. It took all my willpower not to look around, not to admire my surroundings. That was the core of who I was. I was curious. I’d go so far as to say I was even nosy.
Not a good quality to possess under these circumstances.
Master removed my wrap, then his coat, passing them over to an attendant before taking a few steps forward.
“Master Moore, what an honor to have you here tonight.” The man who spoke had a raspy, elegant voice and black shoes. Since I wasn’t permitted to look up, I couldn’t tell what the rest of him looked like.
“Thank you, Master Arlington. It’s an honor to be here.”
“And who did you bring with you?”
“This is my pet,” Master informed him.
Yep. That’s me! Just an ornament!
“I’m glad to see you have one,” TJ said. “It’s been a long time.”
Hmm. I wondered how long.
“It has,” Master confirmed.
I kept my eyes on the elaborate marble floor, reminding myself over and over again that I was not allowed to look at anyone and I was not allowed to speak. This was, by far, the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. Harder than walking around the office naked, even.
