Free Uncovering You 2: Submission by Scarlett Edwards Page B

. He made no mention of his bedroom.
    Unless he considers his bedroom his office, I think to myself. I don’t really believe that’s the case, but I still proceed with caution.
    I adjust the collar on my neck, give a quick prayer that I won’t activate it, and step inside.
    I squeeze my eyes shut and wait. When nothing happens, I open them slowly. A chill runs down my spine as I come to grips with the fact that I am in Stonehart’s bedroom. I am actually in his bedroom. I wonder how many other women have been here.
    I take a little step forward, still straining to feel the quick warning jolt that my collar gives me. My stomach heaves as I remember the agony that I experienced when I wandered over my boundary that first day.
    One step, wait . One step, wait. I proceed like that all the way to the glass wall. When I’m finally there, I exhale a sigh of relief. Stonehart didn’t lie: I really am allowed through any unlocked door.
    I look behind me at the bed. It’s the biggest I’ve ever seen, at least twice the size of a California King. Why does a single man need so much space?
    But everything about Stonehart is larger than life. He told me that he is a man who can , so he does . I guess all of this—the mansion, the bed, the vast display of wealth—is the manifestation of that.
    I walk up to the bed so close my shins almost touch it. I feel like I’m impinging on a sacred space. I reach down to feel the black covers, and then stop short.
    It really feels like I’m intruding. I do not want to do anything to make Stonehart mad.
    Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I notice movement against one wall. I spin toward it—but there’s nothing there.
    Strange , I think. It must be my nerves playing tricks on me. Feeling decidedly discomfited, I start for the door…
    And stop again when I feel a tiny breeze blow against my face. The windows are all closed. Where did the draft come from?
    I look back at the wall, and that’s when I see it: a tiny crack running vertically that looks suspiciously like the outline of a door.
    Looking around to make sure I’m still alone, I tiptoe toward it cautiously. When I’m standing right by it, I can see that yes , it definitely is a hidden doorway.
    Against my better judgment, and with my heart pounding hard, I push it forward.
    The door opens.
    The room is dark. The only thing illuminating it is a series of black television screens on the opposite wall. There are dozens of them, almost like an electronics shop. There is no video feed, but the screens are on nonetheless.
    An uncomfortable twisting sensation rises in my stomach. It is a lot like anxiety. I don’t think I’m supposed to be in this room.
    But, I am not breaking any of Stonehart’s rules. He said I could walk through any unlocked doors. This one was definitely not locked.
    Curiosity propels me forward. The first step I take is small. If I were really not allowed in here, the collar would alert me to it.
    I tense and wait for the warning shock. This must be the hundredth time I’ve expected it today. I still can’t fully come to grips with the fact that I am free to wander through Stonehart’s house.
    There is a desk in the center of the room that looks like a command console. I see a wireless keyboard and mouse combo on the lacquered surface. There is a chair behind it, facing the wall of screens.
    This is the first room that I think might actually contain something that will help me in my quest. There was no sign of electronics in other parts of the house.
    My heart lurches as I take my second step past the door. A terrifying thought comes to me: What if this is Stonehart’s office?
    He expressly forbade me from going inside. If this room is it, then I am disobeying a direct order.
    I look around me again. Maybe I should just back out and forget I even found it? That would be the safe bet…
    But, no, I can’t. It’s beyond time for some boldness. Stonehart wants me to be meek and broken. That only applies