I'm such an idiot.

Those blue eyes smoldered in my brain, reminding me of what I would have to face soon enough. Even if I didn't return to the dungeon below, if I only stayed to finish the painting, I would still have to see him.

To listen to his words, to see the hands that had teased me to orgasm.

Seth... Onyx... they were the same person. I couldn't have one without the other.

Now, cut to my core with the knowledge he didn't even want me...

I was lost.

- Chapter Eleven -.

Naomi.

The shower scalded my skin, but still, it wasn't enough.

I hung my head, hair streaming down, watching the water run down the drain.

It'd be nice if my memories, and my worries, could just go down there too, I thought. Leaning on the tile, I closed my eyelids and tried to get a grasp on my mind.

After last night, everything had been ruined. My head ached with the image of those cold eyes; clear as diamonds, just as unbreakable.

Why. Why did I have to fall for him?

As much as I had questioned my decision to allow my secret lover to get as close as he had, when threatened by being denied more of him, I'd lost it.

I touched my neck, thinking of how he had thrown me down when I'd confronted him.

The auction. How dumb, how ridiculous!

Yet, it bothered me like nothing else.

Imagining being sold to some other faceless Dom was a nightmare.

After all the things he showed me... my biggest fear is losing him.

Does he really never claim subs of his own? If what Cora said was to be believed, then...

Frowning, I brushed a damp strand of hair behind my ear, ignoring it as the shower moved it back out of place. I lost my mind, for a moment. Told him he couldn't sell me to someone else. That memory was horrible.

But that wasn't what haunted me now.

I was scared of the auction. But honestly, I've lost him anyway.

I'd been stupid, trying to play this secret game. Staying here to paint more art had been tempting, it would have allowed me to indulge with Seth without ever revealing I knew the truth.

Now, knowing his plans for me, I couldn't keep playing.

I couldn't keep him for myself.

And if I told him what I knew... there was a big chance I'd still lose everything.

I can't win.

Gritting my teeth in frustration, I slammed my fist onto the tile wall, over and over until my knees buckled. Crumbling to the bottom of the shower, I hugged myself and sobbed.

I couldn't go back, not after learning I would be sold to someone else. Why would I risk getting caught anymore?

Seth was a cold, strict man. I had no illusion he'd punish once he learned I'd broken his rules. I didn't know how he'd punish me, but Veronica's warning came to mind.

She was scared of what he'd do if I rejected him.

If only she knew my reality.

That damn gold door. I should have just listened to his rules from the start.

But if I had, would I have gotten so close to the man?

You aren't close, I berated myself. You've been lusting after an illusion.

It's all a game.

My skin was like a prune when I finally left the bathroom. Wrapped in a robe, I settled on the bed in the guest room. I just need to finish the mural for him. Once I do that, I'll...

I'll just leave.

I can't do this anymore. If I go back into that dungeon, I'm just playing with fire.

Thinking of how his smooth gloves had felt on my flesh, his words whispering wickedly in my ear as he made my body tremble with a lust I never knew, I hugged myself.

Right. If I go back, I'll only get hurt.

It's done, it has to be.

Wiping my cheeks, erasing the dampness from my milky skin, I pretended it was water from the shower.

The kitchen downstairs was quiet, morning light frail and white where it poured in through all the windows. I moved around on soft feet, the vibe in the air one of respectful solitude.

I wonder where Seth is, or Corbin?

Frowning, I poured myself a glass of milk from the fridge, sipping it as I stood by the backdoor. Outside, the world was green with life.

I wonder if this will be my last week here. If I finish the mural, I'll let Seth know I can't make the time for more projects. That I need to focus on school.

Sighing, I swirled my drink and mumbled softly to myself. "It's for the best, isn't it?"

"Is what for the best?"

The voice came from behind me, close enough that his question moved a strand of my hair. I spun, dropping the glass onto the tiled floor. Together, Seth and I watched the shards of crystal explode, the milk cascading around in a white torrent.

My mouth hung open, eyes frightened as they focused on the equally stunned face of my employer. Seth had his hands lifted, fingers spread like he was trying to protect himself from an oncoming attack.

But I could only stare into his sparkling blue eyes, forced to recall the moment I'd seen them last.

My mind blurred with the memory of his hand in my hair, cheek rubbing into the rug while his words seared through me like red embers.

Oh god, say something, do something!

I quickly moved across the kitchen, grabbing a towel and bending to wipe the spill. "Oh god, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Careful!" he hissed, reaching out in my direction.

I didn't listen, focusing on the wet mess as I soaked it up, my hands rubbing across the tiles. It was then, as I adjusted myself, that my bare foot found the inevitable shard of glass.

"Ah!" I dropped the damp towel, wincing at the surprising pain.

"I warned you!" Seth snapped. Before I could respond, or even try to argue with him, he wrapped his arms around me and scooped me up.

Holding me close, he looked at the glittering minefield of glass that was once a safe kitchen floor. "Don't you know better than to move around without shoes on after breaking something?"

My words circled in my throat. He was cradling me protectively, a concept I'd never entertained as a possibility. So far Seth had brought me torture, and he'd gifted me with immense pleasure.

This was something... new.

The slight stubble on his jaw, something usually invisible, stood out. He hadn't even shaved yet. I was close enough to nuzzle him.

Oh shit, what am I thinking!

"Corbin! Corbin, get in here!" Shouting, he turned and carried me into the living room, holding me like I weighed nothing. Pressed against his chest, I inhaled his scent, the heavy olive oil smell I'd noticed on my first night with Onyx.

His eyes fixed on me, searching my face. Gingerly, he set me on one of the couches, kneeling on the rug. "Let me see," he said softly.

"I-what?"

"Your foot, let me see where you stepped on the glass." He gestured impatiently, looking over his shoulder for Corbin.

With his lips not so temptingly close, I was able to clear away my sluggishness. I lifted one leg from where it poked from my bathrobe, regretting my decision to not get changed after my shower.

Seth turned back around, his fingers encircling my ankle. When he leaned in, his nostrils flaring, we both felt my tiny hairs stand straight.

Is he remembering how he tied my legs apart, how he fucked me blind?

"Mr. Hart, what happened?" Corbin had appeared, standing by the hallway and looking concerned.

"Grab me the first aid kit," Seth said. "Ms. Starling stepped on some glass."

"Oh dear, I saw the mess in the kitchen. I'll hurry, one moment." He was gone like a ghost.

Seth looked up at me, brows low, his tone heavy. "Does it hurt?"

"No, not much. It's really not a big deal," I said, forcing a smile.

He clearly didn't believe me. His eyes squinted at my heel, hand he ran a thumb across the bottom. The sharp twang made me jump. He'd brushed the cut, and I openly hissed through clenched teeth. "Alright, yeah," I said. "That hurt."

Corbin crossed the rug on fast feet, kneeling beside Seth, first aid kit in hand. As he pulled out a small bottle and tweezers, it was clear that he was planning on removing the glass himself.

Seth had other ideas.

Without even looking, he reached out and took the items, still peering at my foot. "Thank you, Corbin. That will be all."

I watched the calm, emotionless way the chauffeur remained crouched. Finally, he straightened and gave a slight nod. His eyes were curious when he glanced at me. I shifted with discomfort.

What was that look for?

"As you wish," The driver said, exiting on his perfectly shined shoes towards the kitchen.

The man at my feet touched the tweezers to the wound. Helplessly, I twitched away. "Sorry, I'll try to keep still." I blushed, seeing his frown.

"You don't have much pain tolerance, do you?" he murmured, gripping my ankle as he gently prodded at the small cut. He was very focused, I was caught up in how precisely he worked.

"No," I chuckled. "Not really. I guess you'd have to practice to get used to it, and who would do that?"

"Sometimes an ability to endure pain has its place."

I locked my jaw to keep from commenting.

It was impossible not to recall the spanking he'd put me through on my first night of training. This is too weird, he doesn't know that I get what he means. Right?

He thinks he's playing with a hidden deck, but I know all of his cards.

"There," he said, lifting the tweezers with the shard of glass held between them. Wrapping it in a napkin, he set it aside. Holding a bottle, he poured the liquid onto a cotton ball, the scent in the air acrid.

"Peroxide," I groaned, even before he pressed the wet, burning blob to my foot. "Dammit, that stings!"

Seth chuckled, winding a small amount of gauze around my heel and ankle. "Don't complain so much. You're fine now, it was a small thing."

I know, so why did you react like you did?

He'd carried me out of the kitchen like the place had been on fire. Seeing such concern and tenderness from Seth was baffling.