Bound

"Teach me what it's like," she whispered suddenly.

"Teach you what?" he asked softly, even though he already understood.

Her eyes lifted to his-glimmering with softness, fear, and longing. The kind that came from a lifetime of being told she was too little or too much, never enough, always less. She wore the jewelry like it was made for her... yet she still doubted she deserved it.

"To be yours," she breathed. "Teach me how to be yours."

For a moment, silence hung between them like a breath held too long. Then he moved-swiftly, fluidly-his body shifting with purpose. In the blink of an eye, he was seated on the edge of the bed, while she now stood before him again.

The change was subtle, yet seismic.

He hadn't touched her, but she felt it-the shift in gravity, the way the space around them thickened with unspoken expectation. His eyes had changed and she'd never seen this type of look in any man before. Not just desire or affection, but an unflinching authority. Pure, unshakable dominance.

It wasn't cruel or oppressive. No-this was different. This was power rooted in restraint.

"Relinquishing control in a BDSM relationship isn't a sign of weakness," he said, his voice a rich baritone laced with command. "It requires immense strength and confidence. To kneel before someone not out of obligation, but by choice... that is power most people will never understand." His tone was unhurried, meant to teach. "Most of the world hides behind masks, terrified of being seen, of giving in to their truth. But with me," he said, "you'll be free. In our world, there is no shame-only the liberation of surrender."

Victoria's heartbeat was a cacophony in her ears. Still, she didn't look away.

She couldn't.

"Our bond will be forged in trust and surrender," he continued and the hunger in his gaze left no doubt: she belonged to him tonight.

And William? He intended to savor every second.

"Is that what you want?" he asked, one final time for the night.