We stand to the side as the rest of the names are called.
“What did you get us into, Liesel?” Enzo asks me.
“I didn’t get you into anything. This is Langston’s fault when he stole everything from me.”
“You could have come to any of us for money, and we would have given it to you.”
“But then it wouldn’t have been mine. I would have owed you a debt, and I’m tired of owing men debts.”
His eyes narrow as he tries to find the meaning behind my words.
“Round one is limited to thirty minutes. Enjoy your time together. Push the limits. But remember, the word ‘no’ has no power here. You can say no, but that doesn’t mean your partner has to stop. The only word with any power to stop the madness is your safe word. Use it, and your time here ends. Keep the word from your mouth, and you’ll move on to the next round, where more pleasure awaits you, but so does more pain. Round one starts now.”
Round one isn’t where things get interesting. There are too many people in the game that have no sense being here. People are too timid in round one. I plan on making it to the end, so I won’t hold back.
I’ve fucked Enzo Black and been raped by his father. There is no limit too far when it comes to him. I’d love to enjoy making him bleed, but I doubt I’ll get the chance to take things that far.
“So, what happens now?” Enzo asks as people around us nervously start talking, some touching or tentatively kissing.
I down the rest of my champagne, letting the sweet liquid burn my throat, and then I calmly place my glass on one of the little cocktail tables.
Enzo is still gripping his scotch glass.
I take Enzo’s free hand.
“Liesel, I’ll give you the money, you don’t have to do this.”
I kiss the palm of his hand, knowing I won’t get a reaction from him. But I want to draw some blood before he calls out his safe word like the pussy he is. The only way to do that is to take my time with him.
“What? You think I’m whoring myself out to make money?”
The tick in his jaw confirms that is exactly what he thinks of me. He doesn’t realize the way to win this game is to push your partner before they push you. Keep the upper hand, the control, the power, and you win. Lose it for a second, and you might as well forfeit because there is no way to come back.
My gaze finds Kai’s as my teeth sink into Enzo’s wrist like a vampire drawing blood.
He winces as my teeth pierce his skin, but he doesn’t surrender. He’s a man who can handle pain. He’s lived it just like me.
He grabs me by the neck and yanks me to him. “Don’t play games with me, Liesel. You’ll lose. You’ve lost every time.”
“I lost because my protectors failed me. But I don’t lose when I’m protecting myself.”
My hand shoots down his pants, and I squeeze, hard.
He releases my neck, and I plant a wet, passionate kiss on his lips as my hand strokes his cock.
His hands are at my shoulders in a second, and he shoves me harshly back. I stumble back in my heels, but I’m not pissed. I just won.
“Pergola,” Enzo says, saying his safe word.
Two men come over to immediately escort Enzo out.
I wave at him as the men put hands on his arms to lead him out. He shakes them off, gives me a glare vowing his revenge, and then walks out on his own accord.
Kai is staring me down.
“You’re welcome,” I mouth, knowing that she doesn’t want to watch her husband kiss another girl.
She stands frozen, not sure whether to thank me or kill me for touching her man, even if it ensured that no other woman would touch him.
Kai turns back to her partner, and they chat. The man doesn’t touch her. He’s too afraid of what will happen. She’ll remain in this round, but eventually, she’ll be partnered with a man who isn’t afraid of her husband.
I glance around at the other couples.
Zeke and Siren are holding each other and whispering, most likely a plan, to each other.
Beckett has his girl on her knees, pulling his cock out and stroking him.
Interesting, he might be better at this game than I thought.
Maxwell’s partner moves to undo his pants, and he calls out his safe word. He turns to look at me to apologize.
I laugh and shake my head. I knew he wouldn’t last.
And then I see Langston. He’s making out with his model partner. His hands are all over her. He’s completely in control. Every time she tries to touch him, he grabs her hands and stops her. Forcing her hands behind her back, he spins her around and kisses down her neck.
She seems to be enjoying herself. But then he whispers something into her ear, and her face turns white.
She gulps like she can’t get enough air. That’s when I realize he’s gripping her neck, too. She can’t breathe.
I frown. This is one of the many reasons I don’t want Langston in the game. He’s smart and controlling and sexy—all weapons in this game.
Men have an advantage in the initial rounds because of their strength. Like Langston is doing now, they can overpower a woman to win.
But women have an advantage in the later rounds when that strength is taken away. With restraints, it becomes about limits. If you can read your partner and identify their weakness, that’s when you have the advantage. Knowing if they can handle pain themselves or if they’d rather be the one inflicting it.
Langston releases the woman’s neck as he kisses her so tenderly. He smirks at me, knowing I’m watching him. Half of the room is watching him. Neither of them is undressed compared to the majority of the room. Some
