HIS SURROGATE

k, revealing a space that made Emily's breat

allowed the edges of the room, punctuated only by the soft glow of dimmed, amber lights tucked into hidden recesses.

red. Mirrors - tall, floor-to-ceiling - reflected every corner of the room, multipl

stered in crimson velvet, their surfaces pocked with the occa

- all dressed in various stages of undress, ranging from sheer lace to nothing at all. Their faces were a mix of expressions: some bored, ot

re was casual, almost languid, but every inch of him exuded control. He was completely naked but his fa

ble patterns on his thigh, her breath warm against his skin. Yet, through it all, Christian's body language was an unreadable m

there was something mesmerizing about the power in the room - a sharp, elect

ide by the same woman who had taken her to the previous r

oaded with expectation. "You've passed the tests, bu

onto his, trying to find any hint of me

on," he s

a challenge, a gaunt

erself. This was no longer about medical exams or

atching, some with amusement, others with detache

torso and arms relaxed but ready, his body an expr

self something he noticed, something beyond the blurred faces and bodies a

th she'd chosen. Or

him, forcing herself to see him not as a terrifying stra

ce cut through

pe

he cleared it, her voice

you want

neath his mask. "Impress me. Use your voice.

pounded in

, and let herself lean into the moment,

s of the women nearest her, a silent acknowledgment of their place

rching for any hin

dable behind the mask, h

oice grew

here because I have to. Because this is survival. Because

ted slightly, as if

not desperate but deliberate. Th

ted, some smirking, som

nd, palm outward - a

y fr

e said. "But this i

nough for her to catch t

matter, you will have

throat t

r fear, then met

embling, and touched his arm. The

uiet breaths, the flicker of light on the mi

beneath her touch for

Now, show me you can make me

d her eyes

t about pe

about

w honesty-no artifice, no pretense-just what she f

, then firmer. She met his gaze again, eyes bl

und them watc

mask gave

t it-the shift, a

ept g

stret

the room

his hand again, and this time

oug

k, heart hammerin

gure towering even with

said, voice clipped and

egs almos

stirred, some smiling

isappeared through a side door, leaving Emil

bling, victorious -

The two bimbos screeched as they headed for