Free Betting on Fate by Katee Robert Page A

stepped around her and buckled the wide collar around her throat, a part of him instantly settling at the sight of it there. This collar marked her as his, at least as far as the patrons of Serve were concerned. No one else would touch her without his permission.
    One of the three St. Andrew’s Crosses was empty, and that’s where he led her. “Stay here.” Before she could respond, he turned on his heel and headed for the lockers down the hall. He always kept a bag of toys there, and tonight he was going to need most of them to get himself under control.
    He did his best to ignore the small voice whispering that it wouldn’t be enough.
    …
    Penelope kept her gaze on the floor, half-worried that she’d mistakenly make eye contact with someone and have to find a hole in the ground to crawl into. They wouldn’t approach, though—the collar around her neck assured of that. The fact didn’t help the embarrassment climbing up her chest and neck at being left without a stitch of clothing between her and the rest of the room.
    Where was Will? Surely he wouldn’t make her stand here for hours? She’d seen it done before—there were as many different ways to play BDSM power games as there were people to play them.
    She was so busy resigning herself to spending most of the night waiting for him that she jumped half out of her skin when he appeared at her shoulder. “God, sugar, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” The hard look on his face nearly sent her to her knees, and she had to fight not trip all over herself to apologize.
    “Spread your legs.”
    It took her a few seconds to obey, because she was still trying to process the change in him. Dinner may have been a little awkward, but that kiss afterward had set her afire. To go from that back to Ice King was extremely jarring.
    A little sliver of betrayal cut through her, but she did her best to banish it. The evening they’d just passed was the exception, not the rule. This was Will, from the hard set of his mouth to the non-expression in his eyes. The man she’d just ate with and enjoyed teasing was the phantom. She simply had to remember that and keep her guard up until their time was done. Really, she should thank him for not lulling her into a false sense of security after dinner.
    Easier said than done.
    He knelt before her, and her traitorous body perked up in anticipation. She could still feel his tongue between her legs, driving her to orgasm. But apparently that wasn’t on the books tonight.
    Penelope stared as he pulled a dildo out of his bag. What in God’s name is he planning? He didn’t look up at her as he smeared a dollop of lube onto it, taking her obedience as a matter of course. She bit her lip, trying to decide if she should protest. “Will?”
    He still didn’t look up. “Do you want to use your safe word?”
    No, but she’d like a little reassurance. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she closed her eyes. Somewhere in the course of the evening, she’d started expecting him to treat her as if she really mattered to him. Stupid. Whatever little slice of peace they’d carved out earlier, there was a line in the sand that they still stood on opposite sides of. And they always would. She had to remember that, no matter what else she gave him, she couldn’t give him her heart.
    He’d crush it without a second thought.
    She took a deep breath. “No, Sir.”
    “Good.” He slid the dildo into her in one smooth move, filling her nearly as completely as his cock did. She shifted, but went still when he shot her a look. “Hold still.” Next came the straps, sliding up her legs and hooking around her waist, holding it inside her. Ignoring his look, she rolled her hips, trying to get comfortable. That’s when the buzzing started. A vibrator?
    Will stood and turned her around to face the St. Andrew’s cross. She hesitated, but then raised her wrists to press against the upper arms. The wood was rough against her bare skin, a