Protege(25)



“Good. You’ll never upset me by using that word. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

His private eagerness triggered an exhilaration he hadn’t experienced in some time. Blanking his expression, he turned the knob.





Chapter Four


The moment Collette stepped over the threshold into his bedroom, a course of unknown events was set into motion. A strange memory from her childhood came out of nowhere: she, her mom, and her dad, laughing happily at the dining room table while playing the game Mouse Trap. The game was so tedious and when that final trap was sprung and the little marble was set into motion, there was no going back. It was done. For some reason, stepping into Jude Duval’s bedroom reminded her of that.

The carpet was plush and the bed was ornate, unlike anything people sold nowadays. “That certainly is a bed,” she stated, unable to look anywhere else.

“It came with the chateau. It dates back to the seventeen hundreds.”

She swallowed. Five men could fit on that mattress comfortably. The canopy was carved from wood, peaked high with filigree accents singed into the timber. Plush velvet curtains gathered at each thick pillar. The thing was so grand, a chandelier hung with room to spare inside the frame.

“It’s like a fort for grown-ups.”

He chuckled. “That’s one way to put it.”

Drawing in a steadying breath, she forced herself to look elsewhere. The accent furniture was all very sturdy and masculine. Each end table had a marble surface. Stubbing a toe in this place could be deadly.

Two stout leather chairs faced the fireplace, which was large enough for her to stand under the mantel. It was like visiting a real-life Disney castle—but nothing PG would be happening in this room, that was for sure.

Every masculine piece attested to the owner’s virility and strength. Her gaze snagged on the random pieces of art. Were they fertility sculptures?

She frowned, her head tilting as she stared at the antique tapestry on the wall. Were they—Oh! That was definitely an orgy.

“Do you like that?”

Her back stiffened as he spoke softly behind her. She floundered for any sort of appropriate comment, unfamiliar with proper etiquette and praise when regarding someone else’s sex art. “Well, whoever made that is certainly handy with a needle and thread.” She winced.

“So you can relate,” he teased, dragging a finger down her arm.

She sent him a sardonic look over her shoulder. “Hardly.”

He winked, smooth and playful. “Well . . . maybe soon.” Her mouth gaped and he chuckled, turning her body to face his. “Come here.”

Her heart raced as he stepped backward, pulling her closer to the bed, an intent glint in his eyes. There went that marble racing down the track again. Soon the mouse would be trapped.

All humor left his face as he untied her robe, every gentle tug of his fingers a show of unapologetic entitlement that had her sex contracting. “Breathe, Collette. This is what you asked for, correct? You wanted to learn what it was to belong to a man, a Dom, satisfy his every need with your mind and body.”

The robe slid from her shoulders, and she drew in a long breath, but nothing could steady her nerves with him so close. That was exactly what she wanted, but now that the offer was right in front of her, she found herself tensing. The satin whispered down her back and puddled at her feet.

She shivered and rasped, “Yes, sir.”

“Eyes open, Collette.”

It took more effort than she expected to open her eyes, but she somehow managed. She’d never stood naked before. Of course she’d been naked and done things naked, but just standing with nothing shielding her body while someone flagrantly studied her was a new experience. The fact that he was fully clothed in a power suit didn’t help matters. The vast difference in their status here at the chateau was evident, and she assumed he intended it so.

The warmth of his fingertips grazed the underside of her breast. Her body turned heavy as shallow breaths drew inside her lungs and she trembled. “Are you nervous?”

She nodded, thinking honesty was best in her current situation.

He cupped her but barely touched her, his caress moving slowly but switching locations swiftly as he casually appraised her body. “You have nothing to fear. It’s okay to be nervous. This is new. But I assure you I take my position as your Dom very seriously. I want to teach you, give you a true experience, and help you determine your likes and dislikes. I don’t want you to fear me. I only want your surrender, your trust, and”—he smirked—“your obedience.”

Her laughter was slightly hollow. “I’m not the best with obeying.” He raised a brow and she tacked on, “Sir.”

“You’ll learn.” As he stepped back and removed his jacket, her stomach dropped and her nerves jangled. His voice and motions were very gentle, but he had a natural quality that intimidated the crap out of her. She was still trying to decide if it intimidated her in a good way or a bad way. His fingers, strong yet agile, slowly unbuttoned his shirt, unveiling a V of tanned flesh and hard muscle.

He was in extremely good shape. His arms were thick with muscle and his abdomen was tapered in an effortless way that attested to a healthy lifestyle, easily a few bench presses away from being a model. When her gaze landed on his cut hips she had to look away. Men shouldn’t be that pretty. It just made women feel like dowdy old heifers. Her gaze drifted to the floor.

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