The Dark Forest: A Collection Of Erotic Fairytales(68)

Ella swallowed, willing herself to speak but still not finding her tongue.

“Take off your mask,” he said, with the confidence of someone who was used to getting his own way.

With trembling fingers, she obeyed. Truth be told, she’d forgotten she was even wearing it. There was a cool rush of air over her skin once it was uncovered.

“Beautiful,” Zainon said, running a finger down her cheek. “Like a doll.”

Unable to stop herself, Ella closed her eyes, relishing his touch. This was probably all a dream but she’d be damned if she ever wanted to wake up.

“And like a doll,” he continued, “you don’t speak.” He narrowed his heartbreaking eyes. “Are you a mute?”

She shook her head.

“Then fucking say something! I’m tired of having a one-sided conversation.”

The first prickle of panic began to snake through her belly. She wanted to talk, she so desperately did, but somehow she couldn’t. And now he was getting impatient, she could tell by the way he was tapping his fingers against his thigh, and all too soon, he’d tell her to get out and she’d never see him—

WHAM!

Ella yelped, her fingers immediately moving to her face, caressing the cheek he’d just slapped. “What was that for?” she blurted out.

To her astonishment, instead of apologizing, he gave her a disarming smile. “It worked, didn’t it?”

About to argue, she was forced to admit that yes, it had worked. She had regained her voice. And not just that—now that the shock and the sting were wearing off, she was feeling something else. A pulse, steadily beating between her legs, which only increased when she met his eyes and saw the way he was looking at her.

“I guess it did,” she muttered, desperately unsettled by her reaction to both him and being slapped across the face, and dropping her gaze once more in an attempt to regain control over herself.

“So, now we might be able to have a regular conversation,” Zainon went on as if nothing untoward had happened. “Let’s try this again. What’s your name, pretty doll?”

“Ella.”

“Ella.” He said it like a caress in that deep, husky voice of his. “I’m Zainon.” He shook her hand and she giggled. “So, is this your first after party?”

It’s my first party, period. “Yes.”

“It’s fairly tame so far,” he said. “I’m sure it will get more lively as the night progresses—it’s only just started.” He paused, his gaze suddenly assessing. “How old are you?”

“Nineteen.”

“And how kinky are you?”

“I. Uh. What?”

“How much BDSM experience do you have?” he said, as if he were talking to a child.

Her mind was racing. Should she lie and say she had lots? Surely he wouldn’t want to spend any more time with her once he knew how absolutely deficient she was.

“Some,” she said at length.

The corner of his delicious mouth curved up. “Care to elaborate?”

“Um.” Oh, God, this is it. He’s going to tell me to go back to the party and find some suave, glamorous girl to talk to instead.

“For instance, have you ever been spanked?”

What does that have to do with anything? “Oh yes,” she said, nodding for emphasis. “Lots.”

“And do you enjoy it?”

She could actually feel her eyes widen. “Why would anyone enjoy it?”

Zainon let out a great roar of laughter. “I don’t often say this to people… but you fascinate me. That was too funny.”

Ella was silent, her heart racing, wishing she hadn’t worn the corset. Breathing was becoming more and more difficult. Not to mention, she had no idea what she’d said that was so amusing.

“So…” He reached out and stroked her knee, sending shivers of delight through her very core. “Do you want to play?”

“Sure.” Anything to prolong her time with him.

“I was so hoping you would say that. You’re so very, very sexy, Ella doll.”

The heat prickled across her face and she hoped it wasn’t very noticeable in the dim room. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“Shall we say your safeword is red?”

He looked so handsome, so self-assured, and she was desperate not to betray her naiveté. So even though she didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, she nodded, hoping it was the right response.

“Good girl.”

Another shiver went through her at his words, though she wasn’t sure why.

“Shall we start with a spanking, then?”

Ella was startled out of her reverie. “What? Why? What have I done wrong?”

Zainon’s bark of laughter reverberated the sofa. “Oh baby, you’ve got to stop doing this now or I won’t be able to concentrate.” He took a deep breath, apparently composing himself. When he looked at her again, his whole expression had changed. There was a darkness, a stillness to it which took her breath away. “Bend over the arm of this couch and raise your skirt,” he said in a chilling tone.

Still she hesitated, gawking at him in amazement. What had changed? What had she done wrong? Why was he going to spank her?