“You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago,” Mr. Bordeaux says. From my peripheral, I spy him glancing at the expensive watch on his wrist. “And now I’m late for a conference call.”

Footsteps cease moving behind me. Fighting the urge to turn and steal a glance, I focus on the rustic hardwood floor.

“I got held up.”

“You get held up a lot, Sebastian.”

“Find another artist if it bothers you.”

Silence, and then Mr. Bordeaux huffs. “I would if you weren’t the best for the job.”

“The best will cost you.”

“Your fee is already extortion.”

“I don’t want your money this time.”

Mr. Bordeaux gives him an impatient sigh. “What do you want, Sebastian?” My keeper sounds bored as he moves out of sight, and another set of shoes—these the opposite of expensive Italian leather—come into view. I sense the lion’s gaze on me as I study his black and white sneakers.

“I want permission to touch her.”

Mr. Bordeaux’s humorless laugh fills the studio. “Always thinking with your dick.”

“It’s the best part of me.”

“The answer is no.”

“Then you’ll have to find yourself another artist.”

“I don’t want another goddamn artist.”

I hold my breath, shocked by the slip of Mr. Bordeaux’s tongue in front of Sebastian.

“That’s my price. Take it or leave it.”

Tension steals the next few seconds, and I envision the scowl on Mr. Bordeaux’s face because he’s not the type to concede. “Fine, you can take your payment from her flesh, but she’s not allowed to orgasm.”

“You spoil all the fun, Heath.”

“Your cock isn’t on lockdown, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself plenty.”

Sebastian laughs. “I’m sure I will.”

My heartbeat ratchets with a mixture of fear and lustful excitement.

“You’ve got three hours. If she’s not back in her quarters by then, she loses a diamond. Same if she comes.” More footsteps, and then the finality of a door closing signals Mr. Bordeaux’s exit, followed by an inescapable silence that’s only amplified by his absence.

Sebastian finally breaks from his statuesque pose, and those black and white sneakers come closer. “I see Heath has worked his usual charm on you.”

“How so?”

He bends, lifting my chin with two warm fingers, and the instant our eyes meet, my lips part on a soundless gasp. “The girl I met six years ago wasn’t so lifeless, even on her knees.”

“Maybe the girl you met six years ago is gone.” I tuck my lip between my teeth as memories of the last few weeks flicker through my mind, beginning with the dungeon.