Chapter 06

Gabriel Dantas

The dark atmosphere of the room made it difficult to see details, but the reddish lighting revealed enough for my eyes to catch the object in his hand. A leather whip. My heart raced and my breathing became irregular.

- Look at this..." I said, crossing my arms defensively. - I'll make it clear right now: I'm not going to get hit with this.

My voice came out firm, but full of irritation. I didn't want to appear vulnerable, even though I knew the situation put me right there.

He laughed. A low, low laugh that echoed through the room.

- You're very audacious, kid. - His voice carried a mixture of amusement and authority. - But rest assured, this isn't about hitting... not exactly.

- I'm not interested in any "lightness" that involves pain. - I kept my tone sarcastic, even though I was evaluating his every move.

Unfazed by my attitude, he shrugged, tossing the whip onto the dresser beside him. The dry sound of leather against wood made my throat go dry. Before I could completely relax, he reached out to take another object.

"A chain."

My body tensed instantly. He walked towards me, his steps slow and calculated, the sound of his shoes against the floor echoing softly through the room. He didn't ask permission, nor did he ask anything.

He just lifted the chain and put it around my neck, locking it with a click that echoed loudly in the silence.

- What are you doing? - My voice came out low, almost a whisper, as I tried not to lose control.

He pulled lightly on the chain, forcing me to look directly at him, even though his face was still hidden by the shadows.

- Showing who's in control. Now get down on your knees.

My first reaction was resistance. I wanted to scream, to refuse, to run out of this room. But at the same time, I knew what happened to those who refused these games. It wasn't just about money or power. It was about survival in an environment where submission is often the only way out.

I took a deep breath, hating every second of it, but I gave in. I bent my knees slowly, until I felt the cold floor against them. He didn't take his eyes off me, watching my every move as if he were evaluating my surrender, or lack of it.

- Good boy. - His voice came out low, laden with an approval that made me feel anything but good.

He pulled the chain again, this time tilting my face up. He wanted me to look at him, even though his face was still shrouded in darkness. My stomach churned, the feeling of vulnerability consumed me, but I remained still.

- It's interesting how you fight it, but still obey. - He let out a slight smile, as if amused by the situation. - You know what that means, don't you?

- It means I'm trying to avoid bigger problems. - My words came out sharp, but he didn't seem to mind.

- No, it means that you instinctively understand what submission is. You just don't want to admit it.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but the tug on the chain made it clear that he was on the lookout for any reaction from me that might seem defiant.

- Look, if that's what amuses you, fine. But I'm not here to be anyone's puppet. - I confessed.

He laughed again, the deep sound reverberating around the room.

- Still don't get it? You're not a puppet, kid. You're a valuable piece. You just need to learn to play the game.

I kept quiet, watching his every move, waiting for the next step. The tension in the room seemed to grow by the second, and I knew that this "game" was just beginning.

He bent down, still holding the chain, and his fingers touched my face. The touch was firm, but unexpectedly delicate. My instinct was to pull back, but the chain around my neck stopped him. His fingers slid up to my chin, holding it to force me to face him again.

- "Interesting..." he murmured, his tone almost amused. - You resist, but your body says something else.

I tried not to react, but the shiver that ran through my skin was uncontrollable. His eyes, even partially hidden by the shadows, seemed to pass right through me, watching my every reaction.

- You don't seem to be as disinterested as you try to show.

- That's all in your head. - I answered quickly, my voice coming out huskier than I had intended.

He laughed low, a sound that made my stomach flip. Then his fingers slid down my neck, slowly making their way to the beginning of my chest. His hand was big, warm, firm. I felt the weight of the touch, not just on my skin, but like a declaration of power.

- If you were really so averse to it, you'd be fighting harder, kid. - He leaned a little closer, the closeness making it impossible to ignore the heat emanating from him.

My hands instinctively went up to try to push him away, but he easily grasped my wrists, pressing down lightly. The gesture wasn't crude, but it made it clear that he dictated the rules there.

- Hold still. Just feel it.

His voice was a mixture of command and provocation. I wanted to fight, to shout that I wouldn't be part of it. But at the same time, something about the way he controlled the situation stirred something in me that I didn't want to admit.

His hands continued to explore me, now moving down to my waist, his fingers sliding over the fabric of the clothes I was wearing. My body reacted against my will, and he noticed.

- See? - he murmured, his tone laden with irony and triumph. - Your body doesn't lie.

- That doesn't mean anything. - I retorted, trying to keep my voice steady.

- Of course it does. It means that, deep down, you like to be led.

Those words hit me in a way that left me without an answer. He took advantage of the moment to pull the chain again, tilting my face towards him. Their lips were so close that it was impossible to ignore the possibility of a kiss, but he didn't move beyond that.

- "I like control, Gabriel. And you..." He paused, smiling with a satisfied air. - You're learning to like it too.

- You're wrong. - I answered quickly, even though my voice sounded weaker than I wanted it to.

- That's what we're going to find out.

His smile didn't disappear, but it became lighter, almost as if he was enjoying the small victory he believed he had. He released my wrists, but not the chain, making it clear that control was still his.

- Now, let's see how far this spark of resistance will take you.

I remained silent, his every move challenging me to react in some way, but also forcing me to confront something inside me that I never wanted to admit.

He bent down, still holding the chain, and his fingers traced the outline of my jaw, down my neck to the point where the chain rested. The touch was light, almost caressing, but the tension in the air was palpable.

- You're an enigma, Gabriel. - He whispered, his voice husky and low, sending a shiver down my spine. - A mixture of resistance and desire, of fear and curiosity.

His fingers slid inside my vest, touching the warm skin of my chest. The sensation was intense, almost painful, but I forced myself not to move.

- Make no mistake, boy. - He continued, his voice carrying a dangerous tone. - I know what you want.

Before I could reply, he pulled hard on the chain, tilting my head back. My lips parted in an involuntary gasp, and he took the opportunity to press his lips to mine. The kiss was hard, possessive, a declaration of dominance.

He bit my lower lip, a silent warning, and I was forced to give in, opening my mouth to him. His tongue invaded my mouth, exploring every corner, while the chain kept me trapped, unable to pull away.

The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more hungry. His hands slid down my body, squeezing my waist. What awaits I have no idea, but it just got hot.