"Please," I blurted, then clasped my lips in shock. He said nothing, only looked at me in silence.

Shit, I made him mad again. I talked without his permission.

I didn't want him to spank me again. Lifting my hands, I bumbled through an apology. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to speak out!"

Laughing, he let me go and stood straight, peering down at me curiously. "So worked up, aren't you?"

"Yes, Master," I admitted.

"Kneel," he pointed. I didn't hesitate; I dropped down at his feet, a bit smoother than the last time. "This is another lesson for you. The greatest gift a slave can give to her Master, is doing what he desires. Your own pleasure will revolve around that, do you understand?"

No, not really.

Resisting the urge to argue, I bowed my head. "Yes, Master."

"Look at me," he said.

Blinking, I saw that his hand was rubbing along the front of his pants, the shape of his hard-on obvious. My heart skipped a beat. "Take care of this for me," he whispered.

I knew what he expected me to do. It was overwhelming, this primal ache that wanted to free his cock, to see it and taste it...

I was baffled by my visceral reaction.

Never had I been so aroused, I was close to wriggling on the damn floor. Onyx had managed to work me up into a frenzy, his tactics shifting until I was eager to please him.

Licking my lips, I reached up with hands that suddenly seemed very small. Gingerly, I rolled them across the front of his trousers, feeling the firm curve of his manhood pushing against the material eagerly.

Gripping the zipper, I peeled it down. Though I was no virgin, I still gasped when his length bobbed into view. The head of his cock was plump. It was glistening with precome, telegraphing that he was just as excited as I was.

Briefly, I glanced up at him through my eyelashes. Onyx inclined his head, giving me permission.

Wrapping my shaking hand around his base, I marveled at how hot he was. The veins along his shaft flexed under my touch. Aiming the tip at my mouth, I gave an experimental lick.

Onyx groaned deeply, my thighs clenching at the sound. Feeling a unique desire to please this man, I slid my tongue down to his root. I was moving slow, kissing his salty skin.

He didn't want to be teased.

"Take me in your mouth," he demanded, gripping my messy hair. The ornate coif had begun to come loose.

Quickly, I tried to fit him past my wet lips. He was thick, forcing me to adjust fast as he shoved himself down my throat with a grunt. I hadn't given many blow jobs in my life. My dating history was a little sparse-and bland.

With all the time spent on trying to make it into college, I'd had other priorities.

Onyx was insistent, I was thrilling over his desperation. He tasted tangy and sweet, my lips statically charged from the sensation of him sliding in and out.

If he wanted to test my skill, he wasn't letting me show it-but thank god for that. His hand gripped hard on my scalp, using my long tresses for leverage.

Pumping into my face, he fucked my mouth with little care for how I handled it. The wildness, the rough way he moved, it had me burning with desire.

There was a comfort in allowing someone else to be in control. All my life, I'd struggled and fought, taking care of myself and making my own decisions. Onyx had flipped my world, showing me what it was like to be along for the ride.

It was intoxicating.

His shaft swelled in my throat, I knew he was going to finish.

Will he let me pull away? Is he going to...

I understood quickly that he planned to come in my mouth. That fact brought pure ecstasy. He held me still, growling low, raw, as his length began to throb. His seed flowed, thick as syrup, down into my belly.

Working my tongue, I swallowed it all.

Onyx pulled free, and I gasped hoarsely for air. I'd forgotten I needed something as common as oxygen. Wiping my mouth with the back of my wrist, I struggled to gather my thoughts. I was lost, battling my heat, fighting with a side of myself that had seemingly grown over night.

Onyx pet my head softly. "Good, that was lovely."

Staring up at him, my cheeks flared up. Should I feel pleased by his comment or not? I was spared from deciding when he reached into his pants, pulling forth something small.

A pocket watch.

A gorgeous, shockingly familiar pocket watch.

That... no, it can't be!

His frown was brittle, just the sight of him looking unhappy made my stomach twist. "Hmn. It seems we're out of time. We'll have to continue this another time." Turning back, he gazed over my nude form. His lips twisted up on one side. "You will come back, my little jewel."

It wasn't a question.

Not for him...

Or for me.

"Yes, Master."

He couldn't have known why I was going pale. Or why the sweat on my spine had become cold.

Onyx tucked that watch away, but I didn't need another look. I knew what it was, and who, exactly, it belonged to. All along, I'd thought I was dealing with two men who had, at most, some odd similarities.

Now I knew the truth.

Seth and Onyx were one and the same.

- Chapter Nine -.

Naomi.

We returned to the main room together. I'd redressed, looking no worse on the surface.

Inside, I was a turmoil of confused feelings.

There were many people gathered around, casually talking. Some wandered out through the purple curtain. The night was over, the attendants were saying farewells and commenting on the general event as a whole.

One of the men from earlier, I thought his name had been Helm, waved Onyx over. He started to move, then turned back to smile at me. "No doubt he wants to talk about how his own training session went. I'm usually one of the last to leave, don't wait around. I'll see you next time." It was curt, but that suited me just fine.

I know why you'd be last to leave.

"Yes, Master," I whispered, waving slightly. Trying not to appear suspicious, I peered out into the small room. There was nothing but the table and clipboard. I guess Corbin leaves after everyone signs in.

On fast feet, I scurried up the stairs, cracking the gold door just enough to view the mansion's entrance room. There was only one person I had to avoid, not two.

I knew where Seth was, after all.

It seemed quiet, so I took the opportunity to slip out and rush up to my guest room. Inside, I almost slammed the door, my lungs deflating.

What happened down there tonight, what was that? Why did I go along with it?

And what do I do, now that I know his secret?

Pulling off the mask, I buried it back in the chest. Peeling the dress away, I hung that up as well, as far back in the closet as I could.

The space was big enough, and full enough, of so many different outfits, I figured no one would even notice it had been worn. I couldn't let anyone see it; they'd recognize it, and my game would end.

This isn't a game.

Walking into the private bathroom in just my lingerie, I caught a glimpse of myself in the full mirror. My ass still displayed the clear hand prints of a certain Dom.

Wincing, I twisted for a better look. I hope that doesn't bruise.

Even though I grimaced as I touched the area gingerly, something deep inside of me pulsed with heat. Remembering the spanking, as well as my lack of release through the entire debacle, I brushed my stomach and sighed.

That whole event... it was frustrating, but exciting, too. Will it be like that next time? I caressed my lips, thinking of how his come had tasted. Oh god, next time.

Am I actually going to go back?

Even after I know who he is?

I ached to learn what else my 'training' would entail.

Closing my eyes, I imagined how his gloves had felt, how the rope on my wrists had bound me. He'd shown me how good he could make me feel, and even the punishment had been arousing.

Is something wrong with me? What am I thinking? I'm supposed to be here to paint that wall, not involve myself in a secret seedy dungeon.

That thought gave me pause. Why did Seth allow this to go on below his mansion?

Why did he partake in it?

It was a side of the man I hadn't expected. But, in hindsight, it was fitting. Seth had told me he enjoyed control. Now, I knew how deep that desire went.

If he finds out that I'm Opal...

I pictured him snapping at me, kicking me out and destroying what I'd worked for. It was possible he'd keep the letter from me. I couldn't blame him-this was a huge betrayal I was committing.

Swallowing nervously, I turned towards the shower to start the water flowing.

He can never find out.

But dammit, if I could only talk to him, I could get all the answers I craved. The knowledge he'd probably fire me right away made me feel sick.

Standing in the hot steam, my wet lashes tickled my cheeks. The watery vibrations felt good, like a massage on my tense skin. When they drummed on my sensitive rear cheeks, I flinched, but held steady. The scalding water was cleansing.

No, I decided, imagining Seth's angry blue eyes. I already made my decision. I have to stand by it.

I felt my throat, recalling how Onyx-Seth-had touched me.

He can never know that I went down there.

Or that I'm going to go back.

I woke the next day to the sound of my phone going off.

My dreams involving firm hands and whispered words were interrupted. Groaning, I fumbled around until I found the cellphone. Gripping it, I buried my head under the blankets. "Hello?"

"Hey, Naomi?"

The voice was familiar, my brain slowly forming a mental picture. "Veronica, is that you?"

"In fact, it is! Hey, I hadn't heard from you in awhile. Thought I'd just, you know, check in."

I was delighted by the surprise, yet I sensed something in the woman's voice that was frazzled. "It's good to hear from you. Is everything alright?"

"Of course!" Veronica laughed, a hollow sound. "I just had this weird feeling something was up. I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, but I wanted to check in on you to see... well."

To see if I ever got in touch with Seth.

The clarity hit me. "Right. You're curious if I ever took Mr. You-Know-Who up on his offer, aren't you?"

The voice on the line sounded startled, rising in pitch. "What! No, no, why would you ever-okay, you got me." Sighing, Veronica gave a weak giggle. "I mean, what happened at the gallery was just strange. Can you blame me for wanting to get filled in?"

"Not at all." I smiled, a bit flattered to be on the girl's mind. "Look, I'm a little busy, but do you want to get some brunch today?"

"That sounds pretty perfect, want me to come to you?"