NO SAINTS HERE

The Bathtub Girl

The city lights blinked through the glass walls of the elevator, a glowing world beneath her feet. Floxy leaned against the railing, a sigh slipping past her lips as her gloved hand pressed to her forehead. She was drained to the bone.

For two years she had worked in the city's most expensive hotel. Cleaning rooms, scrubbing stains that weren't hers, smiling when she didn't want to. The penthouse wasn't new to her, she had cleaned it before. But tonight... something felt different.

She went about her duty as always, dusting, folding, arranging. Until she entered the bathroom.

Her steps slowed. The giant tub gleamed like a jewel under the light, steam still curling in the air from a guest long gone. It called to her in a way she couldn't ignore.

It was the last hour of her shift. Her uniform clung to her sweaty skin, her back ached, and her head throbbed. She bit her lip, trying to shove the thought away. But her eyes kept dragging back to that tub.

She knew what would happen if she was caught. She could lose her job. Her only income. The risk made her chest tighten-yet at the same time, it thrilled her.

The temptation won.

One by one, her clothes fell away until nothing covered her bare skin. Her brown curls spilled down her back, her chocolate eyes flashing in the mirror. 

Floxy was beautiful-too beautiful to be a cleaner. But life didn't care for beauty.

She stepped into the tub. Warm water kissed her skin, drawing a sigh of relief straight from her chest. She leaned back, letting her head fall against the edge, eyes closing as she finally-finally-allowed herself a stolen moment.

But the peace shattered in an instant.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Her eyes flew open.

A man stood in the doorway.

Bald head gleaming under the lights, his body wrapped in a dark, fitted suit. His aura filled the room, heavy and dangerous. His face was cut sharp, handsome in a way that could hurt, his eyes darker than night. He looked at her like she was already his.

"Well, well..." His voice was deep, calm, with a cruel edge of amusement. "Look what we have here."

Her throat went dry.

"I... I... sir..." Floxy stammered, unable to breathe.

The water splashed as she shifted, trying to sink deeper and hide her naked body. His eyes caught the movement. They darkened. She swore she heard a growl.

He took a slow step forward, his gaze locked on her trembling frame.

"On your feet," he ordered.

Her heart pounded so loud it drowned out her thoughts. She shook her head weakly, then swallowed and rose. Her arms instinctively wrapped over her chest, but his glare told her that covering herself only made things worse.

"Do you know what happens," he asked softly, his brow arching, "to little girls caught soaking in a guest's tub?"

Her lips trembled as she whispered, "No..."

He leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear. "We're about to find out."

Her knees weakened. Her skin shivered with goosebumps, and not from the cold. Something stirred inside her that she didn't want to admit-a heat crawling low, making her body betray her.

Then he left.

For a second, she thought maybe he would let her go. But when he returned, her stomach dropped.

In his hand was a blood-red suitcase.

He set it down, unlatched it, and opened it wide. Her eyes widened. Inside were toys-dark, wicked things she had only ever seen whispered about. Steel cuffs. Leather. Things that spoke of punishment, not play.

He plucked a cuff, letting it dangle from his finger as he looked straight at her. His lips curled into a shadowed smile.

"You stepped into my territory," he said slowly. "Touched what was mine. And now, bathtub girl, I'm going to teach you a lesson you'll never forget."

Floxy's breath caught in her throat.

Her pulse raced. Her body trembled. She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't obey.

He stepped closer, his scent thick, his shadow swallowing her. His hand lifted, brushing along her jaw, tilting her chin up until her eyes met his.

"Sir... please I'm sorry. I don't want to lose my job," she whispered, tears prickling her lashes.

His eyes softened only for a second, then hardened again. "Hush now... you'll do as I say."

Her lips parted, her chest rising and falling with sharp breaths. Something inside her bent under his voice. She gave the smallest nod.

"Stretch your arms."

Her wrists trembled as she lifted them. Cold steel closed around them, clicking shut, binding her hands above her to the shower rail.

Her breath hitched. Helpless and vulnerable.

Then came the sting. His palm snapped against her nipple, sharp and sudden. She gasped, jolting in shock. But instead of pain, heat rushed through her body, pooling between her thighs. A soft moan slipped from her lips.

He caught it. He smirked.