Seven.
Her own composure was being tested. Only decades of practiced self-control kept her from getting herself off as shewatched this. But she wouldn’t give Evie the satisfaction of hearing that. Not while she was still being punished. Not while she was teetering the edge between pleasure and pain caused by overstimulation.
She had needed this. She’d asked for it so many times in the past three weeks. Even knelt on the floor at one point, communicating that she’d let Natalya do whatever she wanted to her. It was an act usually reserved for the Silvers. And Evie had been desperate enough that she’d submitted so completely to her.
But Natalya hadn’t been able to get over what she was feeling. Her guilt from the last time had gnawed at her, and the fear of rejection hung over her like a dark cloud. It had taken Evie coming to the Second Circle, confident and beautiful and practically forcing her hand, for Natalya to get over the blockages her mind had put in place.
Natalya smirked. She really didn’t like being forced. But Eviealmostmade it feel fun.
Eight.
Time was running out. The hour was nearly at an end, and Evie looked like she would fall over had the ropes not kept her in place. She was shaking and breathing hard against the gag ball. She had no wherewithal anymore. Yet, her body was asking for more. She was still brimming with desire.
She had taken so many steps for Natalya. She’d moved past so many dangers, into the dark and the unknown. She’d faced her personal demons and then not cowered from the fiendish presence Natalya presented. She’d just come closer.
Her trust was stunning. Her submission gorgeous. All of her perfection.
Especially her weak, little whimpers quivering out of her gagged mouth.
Nine.
Natalya turned off the butterfly. It was the first time it was completely off since the hour began. It made Evie sag against her bonds. Relieved and thankful it was over.
Unfortunately for her, the relief wouldn’t last.
Natalya moved to stand in front of her. Didn’t touch her, yet. She’d been in sensory deprivation long enough that any touch would startle her, and that wasn’t Natalya’s intention right then.
“Can you hear me, darling?”
Heaving in deep breaths, Evie nodded slowly.
Natalya leaned in close. She let Evie realize she was there, let her realize another body was close to hers, before pulling off the blindfold.
Glassy green eyes looked up at Natalya, pleading and relieved. Her body was shaking from the effort of it all. And Natalya hadn’t even touched her yet.
She wouldn’t like what was coming.
Keeping eye contact, Natalya reached behind Evie and took the click counter out of her hand, inspecting it.
“Only six?” Natalya shook her head regretfully. “Unfortunate, darling. That’s not the number I got.”
She grabbed Evie’s chin. It was slick and glistening from spit.
“That means I need to make you scream.”
Evie barely comprehended what Natalya was saying. She was too out of it, too overwhelmed. Toorelievedthat she’d finally gotten through the punishment.
And then realization hit that she’d messed up the count.
She knew she’d missed some. She knew, but she had no idea how many. She’d almost dared click the counter additional times out of desperation, just to get closer to what the number mightbe, but had thought better of it. Something awful would probably happen if the number on the counterexceededwhat Natalya had observed.
“You’re off by three.” Natalya eased down on the bed in front of her, a knee on either side of her thighs. Almost sitting on Evie’s lap. Still holding onto her chin. Still smiling horribly.
What was she going to do? Terrible things, obviously, but what exactly? Evie was too exhausted to make earnest guesses. She just knew she wouldn’t like it.
“I need to make your number match mine.” Natalya removed the butterfly from Evie’s underwear and the pillow from between her legs. But then her hand returned, easing into her panties.
Natalya’s eyes were bright violet, her smile taunting and delighted, even as Evie looked at her with eyes made wide from anxiousness. She would have shaken her head, but Natalya still held onto her chin, her grip firm and strong.
