Elsa was too surprised by Mr. Black’s suddenmood change to do more than nod her head in agreement.

“Go and make yourself pretty for me,” hesmiled as he flipped her hands over and kissed the tops ofthem.

She managed a small tentative smile. “I havenothing to wear.”

“You’ll find everything you need in thecloset. And wear the same shoes you came with, the ones that saythere’s a bad girl beneath your good girl exterior that likes to befucked in bad ways,” he licked his upper lip.

What was it about this man that made herforget everything – time, place, purpose, logic… even the tormenthe had caused her and the upsetting words he had written about her?In that moment it was all forgotten. The world only consisted ofthe two of them, both exposed and heart-broken. But what was itthat lured her to him? It was how he looked ather as if no other person in the world existed or mattered to him.His insatiable hunger was present not only in his compelling gaze,but his devastating touch.

If only he was this man allthe time. The one giving into his carnal desires and unable toresist putting his mouth on her…This perfectly fucked up man infront of her who had claimed her with merely a touch and a glance,and a piece of paper with four words on it.

11: Respite

Victorknew he was playing with fire by ignoring the rules of the game hehad set forth by taking Eight out in public. It was a rule he hadstrictly adhered to with his other Chapters and for good reason.Richmond was too close of a community and if was seen with her,people would start asking questions. More than that, hisenvironment wouldn’t be controlled like it was within the walls oftheir designated meeting place and he couldn’t replay the images oftheir encounter on video to study later.

As he buttoned his shirt he shook off hishesitation and reminded himself that it was only dinner. Anyway, itwould be the perfect opportunity to watch how Eight interacted withhim and others in her natural habitat. He chuckled under hisbreath. Even though she could be ferocious at times, she wasn’tsome confined animal that was being reintroduced back into thewild.

Just then, she came out of the closet wearingthe lacy white dress he had bought for her the day he had purchasedthe brownstone. The fabric was just sheer enough that he could makeout her pink areola and hardened nipples under the bright bedroomlights. She spun around showing herself off, and at the rightangle, he could even make out the shape of her uniquely puffylabia, stirring his arousal. When she noticed where his eyes hadsettled, she tugged her skirt down nervously and looked up at himas if pleading her case. Yes, this little outing will be quiteinteresting.

She seated herself on the edge of the bed andslipped on her fuck-me pumps and her look was complete. He grabbedher hand and pulled so hard he yanked her upright. Guiding her bythe shoulders, he led her to a full-length mirror and stood behindher. He was almost a full head taller than her 5’ 6” frame and hishulking physique shadowed hers. He watched her reflection in themirror as she looked them both over.

He held her by the waist and pulled her snugagainst him. “We look amazing together, wouldn’t you agree?” hebreathed into her ear.

Her eyes roamed endlessly over his face andtheir bodies as if trying to formulate a coherent thought, but sheremained silent. Victor studied her expression, unable to read herthoughts. He liked that she was no longer an open book and that hehad to work for her trust now. She had given it too freely in thebeginning, but she was learning under his tutelage the dangers oftrusting a handsome stranger.

“I’ll take your stunned awe of silence as ayes,” he lifted one side of his mouth in a crooked smile. Heglanced at his own reflection and the look on his face suddenlydelivered a mental kick to his balls. The smile that had been meantto be playful toward Elsa looked sinister. He stepped back,suddenly feeling disgusted at the familiarity of it.

Staggering to the bed, he sank onto it as hisheart began beating rapidly out of control and his breathingbecoming more labored with each passing second. Not this again. Heclosed his eyes and began counting down from one hundred. He got toeighty-eight when a soft voice brought him out of hisself-loathing.

“Mr. Black…” Elsa’s voice sounded a millionmiles away.

Prying his eyes open, she was kneelingbetween his legs with her hands resting on his thighs. Her look ofutter concern crushed him and he recoiled. He didn’t need herconcern nor did he want it.

“Mr. Black…” her voice was louder and moreinsistent. “I didn’t mean to upset you with my silence.”

Regaining his composure, he swept her hairfrom her forehead and tipped her head back so he could study herface more closely. He stared into her mahogany eyes and what he sawgazing back was true sorrow. This charming creature hadn’t evendone anything wrong and she was remorseful for the pain she thoughtshe had caused him. Even after everything he had put her through,she was repentant.

He dipped his head down and dusted his lipsagainst hers. What a truly sweet and easily pliable peach shewas.

***

The look of panic on Mr. Black’s facetroubled Elsa. No matter what he had done to her, she never wantedto be the reason for that look on his face again. His tongueslipped past her lips and his kiss sang through her veins. Sheliked this version of Mr. Black – the one who was relaxed, playfuland flirty.

“We do look amazing together,” was all shecould get out before his mouth smothered hers again.

With his hands gently holding her head inplace and his demanding lips caressing hers, dinner out suddenlysounded like an unnecessary interruption. A night in would be muchmore entertaining so long as he stayed in this mood. Her eyesremained closed when she felt him rise to his feet and pull her up.His slow drugging kiss had left her feeling high and wobbly on herfeet, but his firm grip steadied her as he led her down thestairs.

“We can walk to the restaurant from here,” hestated. “It’s only three blocks away and the night is perfect.”

Once on the street, the warm, sultry May winddampened her skin. The sun was almost out of view and the sky wasmuted with dark blue, orange and violet hues. Elsa inhaled deeplythe gritty metropolitan scent of Richmond. It was beginning to feellike home.

Mr. Black took a hold of her hand as theywalked unhurriedly in the direction of the main activities on GraceStreet. His hold on her was unyielding, his fingers unabashedlyinterlaced with hers. Surprised by the unassumingly endearinggesture, she stared at her hand in his. Was this the same man whohad tormented her only hours before? She watched him closely asthey walked the distance to the restaurant. He was always two stepsahead of her, his head turning in every direction as he scannedtheir surroundings. When she would dawdle to look at something, hiseyes would dart back to her and he would tug her hand to keep herclose to him and moving along.

As they rounded a corner, a couple on a parkbench engaged in light petting immediately caught her attention. Itwas that voyeuristic side of her rearing its naughty head again.She couldn’t help it. It was in her nature. She paused as shewatched them curiously when Mr. Black yanked on her hand again. Shetugged back, halting his movements. As she watched with adorationthe couple whose kissing was becoming increasingly more intense,she heard Mr. Black’s breathy chuckle next to her. He moved behindher and kissed her neck.

“So you like to watch, do you?”

Elsa’s cheeks burned, but still, she couldn’ttake her eyes off of the attractive couple. She licked her lips andturned her head to see the wickedest of smiles on Mr. Black’smouth.

“I thought you knew everything about me?”