The First Rule Of Submission
The morning light spilled through the sheer curtains like a soft warning.
Renese stood barefoot by the window, wrapped in the pale silk robe left out for her—something sheer, too delicate, and far too intimate. Her fingers clenched the fabric tighter, the scent of his cologne still clinging to her skin from last night.
He hadn’t taken her completely.
But he’d taken… something.
And now, she couldn’t stop remembering how it had felt.
His breath. His voice. The way her body had betrayed her.
A knock came at the door. Firm. Not hurried.
Mason Kade
Miss Lorrain. He’s asked for you. You have ten minutes. *calmly*
Renese Lorrain
Of course, he has… *mumbles*
She dressed in silence, choosing a modest cream blouse and a navy skirt from the closet full of clothes she didn’t recognize as hers.
Everything fit too perfectly. Everything smelled like control.
Rowan sat alone at the long table, all black again. A black shirt, black cuffs, a black watch ticking like it owned the hour. Everything about him looked composed—too composed.
There was only one chair pulled out. Her place.
She took it without a word.
Rowan Blackwell
You’re two minutes early. I’m impressed. *without looking up*
Renese Lorrain
I didn’t want to test what happens if I’m late.
Rowan Blackwell
Smart girl! *faint smile*
He placed his phone down, finally meeting her eyes. His stare wasn’t fiery—it was focused. Intense. Calculating
She glanced at the folder beside his coffee.
Renese Lorrain
Another contract? *confused*
Rowan Blackwell
A new one. Of sorts.
He opened it and turned the page toward her. Her name was printed neatly at the top, followed by a title:
Rules of Obedience – Phase One
Renese Lorrain
…You’re joking. *heartbeats fast*
Rowan Blackwell
Am I smiling? *stares at her*
Renese Lorrain
You rarely smile. Probably a symptom of having no soul. *glance at him with hard glare*
He didn’t flinch. If anything, he looked pleased.
Rowan Blackwell
Read. *gestures to the papers*
She skimmed the list. Her jaw tightened.
1) Speak only when spoken to.
2) No lies. Not even little ones.
3) No leaving the estate.
4) Wear only what I approve.
5) Come when I call.
Renese Lorrain
Missing a collar and leash, don’t you think? *says dryly*
Rowan Blackwell
That’s for phase two.
She set the paper down slowly, pushing it across the table.
Renese Lorrain
You really think I’m going to follow these? *annoyed*
Rowan Blackwell
I think you already have. *smirks*
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Rowan Blackwell
You didn’t run last night.
His voice wasn’t smug. It was deliberate. Like he wanted her to hear the weight behind it.
Renese Lorrain
Because I didn’t know what you were going to do. *says quietly while looking down*
Rowan Blackwell
You still stayed.
She hated that he was right
She hated more that her pulse jumped just hearing his voice shift like that—soft, coaxing, dangerous.
Renese Lorrain
So what now? You give me a set of rules and expect me to bow?
Rowan Blackwell
I expect you to learn. *stands up*
He walked toward her, slow and certain. She stood instinctively as he reached her side. The heat between them coiled like a wire pulled too tight.
Rowan Blackwell
You want to resist me. I can see that.
Renese Lorrain
Then maybe you should back off. *looks up at him*
Rowan Blackwell
But your body hasn’t run. Your eyes never leave mine. You’re afraid… and curious. *runs his hand on her arms*
He stepped behind her, his voice brushing against her neck.
Rowan Blackwell
First rule of submission: You don’t lie. Not to me. Not to yourself.
Her breath caught as he traced a line down her bare arm with his fingertips.
Renese Lorrain
I’m not lying. *whispers*
Rowan Blackwell
Then why are you trembling? *says softly*
She pulled away sharply and turned to face him.
Renese Lorrain
Because I don’t know what’s happening to me. Because none of this is normal.
Renese Lorrain
Because you make me feel like I’m losing myself, and I’ve only just begun to figure out who I am.
Her voice cracked at the edges.
Rowan Blackwell
Good. That's good!
Renese Lorrain
That's not good thing. It's...confusing.
Rowan Blackwell
It is. Because now, I get to build you from the ground up.
He returned to his seat and gestured to the untouched tea by her plate.
Rowan Blackwell
Drink. Eat. You’ll need your strength
Renese Lorrain
For what? Another lecture? *sits on the chair*
The word sent heat down her spine. Not the kind she wanted. Not the kind she could admit.
Renese Lorrain
I’m not a dog.
Rowan Blackwell
No. But you are mine.
They ate in silence. The kind of silence that wasn’t empty—just loaded. Every glance. Every bite. A calculation.
When she stood to leave, he spoke again.
Rowan Blackwell
Mason will take you to the east wing. Be dressed by ten. Don’t make him wait.
He smiled slightly this time. Barely there. Almost cruel.
Rowan Blackwell
Or I’ll come get you myself. And you won’t like how I do it.
She walked out with her head high—but her heart pounding in her throat.
And deep down, under the anger and fear and defiance, a voice whispered again:
You didn’t say no.
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