Chapter one

 

"Don't move. Focus your entire being on what's about to happen. Let it become your world. Accept my control."

Eyes tearing, Kaci struggled not to bolt. She'd started shaking the moment Master unlocked the door to her cell because last night he'd said today would take her deeper into herself than she'd ever been. Because she knew not to ask for an explanation, she'd spent the night trying to wrap her mind around his words.

"Stand straighter. Show pride in your exquisite body."

Weeks under his control had taught her to obey his every command. Besides, he was right. Despite the whip marks, her body was a thing of beauty. He'd repeatedly told her so and she believed him. Not taking her attention off him, she squared her shoulders. Her arms with the metal cuffs around her wrists remained at her sides. She pressed her legs together until the metal welded to her ankles touched. Her heavy collar forced her to work at keeping her head up.

"Good, slave. To begin, I want you to describe your breasts to me."

Surely he hadn't reminded her of last night's message or brought her out of her cell simply to listen to her repeat words she'd uttered countless times, and yet she had no choice but to obey. Sometimes he made her apologize for trembling, but this morning his expression made her hope he was simply enjoying his power over her.

"My-my breasts are large for the rest of me. I wear a D cup bra that-"

"What do you wear now?"

"Nothing, Master."

"And why is that?"

"Be-because that's what you want, Master. You want my body always available to you."

The corner of his mouth lifted. "That's right, slave. Go on."

He hadn't touched her today. Most mornings began with a leisurely exploration of her naked body by hands capable of both great tenderness and terrifying cruelty. She never knew which it would be.

"My, ah, my nipples are dark in contrast to the rest of my breasts. The areola is-you say my areola the largest you've ever seen." The longer she returned his gaze the harder it was to remember what she looked like. Master had crawled into her mind and body and claimed both for his use and amusement. He'd left so little of her that-

"My breasts sag a little, but you tell me I shouldn't be ashamed. Instead I should take pride in their size and weight. They are gifts to you, yet another part of my body designed for one purpose, to please my master."

"How do I demonstrate my pleasure, slave?"

His tone had changed slightly, just enough that she knew he was getting ready to take another step in her education. "Many ways." A memory of the last time he'd whipped her breasts compelled her to shake her head in a futile attempt to escape it.

"Be still, slave! What was that about?"

Fear lapped at her. Somehow she kept it from overwhelming her. "I-I'm so sorry, Master. I was thinking..."

"Of your latest lesson in self-control." He reached out and stroked the side of her neck above her collar. "It was perhaps the most intense one I've given you to date."

To date? "I, ah, Master, do you want me to continue?" Her voice wavered and her thigh and calf muscles knotted in preparation for fleeing, but she knew better. Not only couldn't she escape, he'd undoubtedly punish her attempt.

"I don't believe I do. You've demonstrated at least a rudimentary ability to compartmentalize. I ordered you to focus on your breasts and you did. Now can you guess why I put you through that particular exercise?"

Master was all grey eyes and a body many times stronger than hers. Determination she now lacked defined him, and he appeared calm in contrast to her constant turmoil.

"No, Master, I don't know except-you said you'd take me deep into myself today." Hard as she tried, she couldn't stop her nails from pressing into her palms. Her toes dug at the cement floor.

He gave her another of his non-smiles. "You remembered. I trusted you would. Stay where you are while I get what I need for this journey."

No! she wanted to scream when he walked over to a corner of the room where the table laden with his so-called tools stood. You can't expect me to stand here like an animal brought to slaughter!

But she'd stood and taken her punishment before because she had no choice. Today wouldn't be any different.

Then he held up what he'd selected, and she understood her sanity was about to be tested.

Nipple clamps. Silver. Shinning and new. The ultimate contrast to her dark flesh. So large that one filled his palm while the other, attached by a heavy chain, dangled.

Whimpering, she took an involuntary backward step.

"Ah, no," he said in his overly calm tone. "Self-mastery, slave. I'm waiting for you to demonstrate the strides you've made in overcoming instinct. Until you've accomplished that to my satisfaction, these lessons will have to continue."

He flexed his wrist so the loose clamp started swinging back and forth. Fascinated despite her fear, she studied it. Let it hypnotize her.

Her legs remained planted under her as he slowly approached. No matter that her breathing had become ragged and she'd started sweating, she'd do what she must.

"Are you restrained this morning?" he asked.

"No, Master."

"Then there's nothing keeping you here? You could leave if you wanted?"

"No, I can't," she answered because he wanted that from her. "The dungeon is locked. You blindfolded me when you brought me to this place so I don't know where I am. I'm naked and barefoot."

"And ready for restraint, don't forget that."

As if she could. She tore her gaze off the deadly nipple clamp and held up her hands. The thick cuffs gleamed in the overhead light. Next, continuing the ritual he'd beaten into her, she touched her collar. "Ready for restraint, Master."

He smiled. "Just checking your recall. Place your hands behind you and link your fingers together. No matter what I do, you are not to alter that position." He changed the swinging clamp's direction so it struck her belly. "If you're unable to comply I'll be forced to handcuff you. You don't want me to do that."

The last time he'd cuffed her had been when she'd failed to mouth fuck him to his satisfaction. He'd left her restrained like that all night, and in the morning, she'd had no choice but to lap her cold cereal from a bowl on the floor. He'd further demonstrated his displeasure by whipping her as she knelt at his feet.

Despite the tremors charging through her, she did as he'd commanded. Having her arms behind her thrust out her breasts. Fear had already tightened her nipples. Now heat bloomed in her pussy in anticipation of what he might do beyond inflicting pain. Even as she resisted her sexual responsiveness, it would make enduring the unendurable easier. Pleasurable. She licked her lips.

"Pavlov would love you," Master said. "He'd hold you up as proof that a creature can be conditioned to respond to anything."

He was likening her to a dog but wasn't that what she'd become?

What he'd turned her into.

He gathered up the loose clip. "I haven't used these on you before because I was waiting for the right occasion. They look like pure silver, but you know my preference for metal. Not only is metal cheaper and more durable, it's heavier."

Heavier.

Swirling emotions closed around her. She all but forgot about her empty stomach and unwashed body. Her pussy remained moist and hot even though there was no guarantee he'd bring her to climax. Waiting for him to do what he would to her became her world. She understood his intention, knew he'd move at a pace designed to keep her off balance. Each second without pain should be cherished only she couldn't think beyond when that would end.

Holding a clamp in each hand, he drew his arms apart until the linking chain was stretched tight. Her breathing intensified until she wondered if she might hyperventilate.