The Intern

Chapter 42

"Ready, kid?"

Saying I was would've been the understatement of the year. I was more ready now than I'd ever been in my entire life. Hell, I was practically vibrating right out of my leather with excitement, and I just barely managed to hide it with a nod. Not that it fooled Levi, of course. The small twitch on the corner of his mouth and the knowing look in his eyes told me he knew exactly how eager I was to get out on that stage and down on my knees. At least to start. I wanted to go out there obeying him, but I was determined to make this more than that. I wanted to show him just how strong I was. I wanted to impress him.

And even more, I wanted everyone to know that he was mine.

If he would let me, of course. I had a feeling that he would only let it get so far before he forced me down to my knees again. This was our first appearance together, and he wasn't about to let it happen as equals. Not when he had an image to maintain and a crowd to please. But above that, I knew that he wanted to claim me as his in a way that no one else could. With his collar wrapped tight around my neck, exactly where it belonged. Exactly where I wanted it to be.

Why the hell weren't we on stage yet?

"Kinksters, young and old, it's time to turn those gorgeous peepers to the stage!" Without warning, Hanji's voice came out loud and chipper over the sound system. I jumped and looked over at Levi, who seemed completely unaffected by the sudden announcement, but I should have expected as much. He probably knew it was coming, and by the way his hand tightened on my leash I could tell what would be happening next.

"The Wall has a special treat for you tonight, courtesy of your master of ceremonies," Hanji continued in a tone that made me wonder if she was somehow more excited than I was. "So sit back, relax, and prepare to feast your eyes on The Corporal and his Dog."

"Dog?" I blurted out, fixing my stare on Levi once more. "You're calling me your dog?"

"I thought it was a fitting title," Levi mused, twisting the leather cord once around his hand before giving it a tug. "Considering you're on my leash."

"And here I thought you wanted me to dominate you," I muttered, "You know dogs don't do that, right?"

"The good ones don't." Levi jerked the leash and yanked me closer, gripping my hip before leaning into me. His lips pressed against the quickening pulse in my neck and I felt them curve into a smirk as he murmured. "But whoever said I wanted you to be good?"

"So you want me to fight you?"

"I want you to surprise me." He pulled back and started walking in the direction of the stage, leading me by the leash. "If you think you're even capable of it, brat."

Capable or not, it had just become my personal goal.

Hanji skipped past us on her way backstage, pausing only long enough to smack her crop across my ass and fix me with a smile. "Remember to enjoy yourself out there, and if you get nervous just pretend it's only you and him. No one else."

"Easier said than done." I leaned to the side and glanced around the curtain, eyeing the mass of people waiting for us. I wasn't sure I would be able to ignore all of their eyes, even if I wanted to.

"He'll do fine." Somehow I knew Levi's words were actually meant for my ears, but I couldn't say they did anything to calm me. "Set it to track eleven."

Hanji gave a thumbs up over her shoulder as she walked towards to the sound system, fiddling for just a moment before the music stopped. There was a beat of silence in which I could hear nothing but the hammering of my heart, and then suddenly we were on the stage. He was leading me out and I was following after him as if my body had been programmed to do so. As if it knew perfectly well what Levi wanted and exactly how to give it to him.