The Alpha's Slave novel Chapter 10

Inayahs heart slams maddeningly hard within the walls of her ribcage. Her mouth turns bone dry and she struggles not to flinch nor move whilst astride Salem's laps.

Salem raised an eyebrow, drawing her attention from his hair and eyes to the rest of his symmetrically masculine face. His nose held just enough authority without being too big. His chin was square enough to expose every clench of his teeth, and his throat powerful enough to reveal every swallow, rippling with sinewy and muscle.

Inayah's eyes followed his neck, following the contours of his flawless skin until it disappeared beneath the dark grey shirt with the collar unbuttoned. A scar sat just above the bow of his collarbone, one that seemed eerily close to-

"Shall I repeat myself?" Salem suddenly questioned, slight inflection in his otherwise arctic mellow voice.

Inayah's eyes flickered to his face then down to her hands which lay uselessly on his lap, encouraging a sheet of hair to obscure the remnants of her burning face. It was not pleasure, but rather humiliation.

Timidly, she shook her head.

"Words." He demanded, albeit softly.

Licking her dry lips, Inayah spoke mildly; "No, master." Yet her hands remained rooted on the spot.

Move, she willed her body.

Hesitantly, after a drawn moment, she finally reached for the hem of her nightgown and carefully began lifting it. The material whispers over her bare thighs, riSalemg higher and higher until her head disappears within, leaving her torso bare to his eyes.

Inayah stilled in that moment, somehow unable to continue for fear of meeting his gaze. Though he had seen her naked before, this felt different. Perhaps because in the Cupid silence, both were sober and hyper-aware of each other, there was no adrenaline of escapism, neither anger from punishment.

Finally, she draws off the dress and begins to lower it over her chest when his hand captures the material, Salem shakes his head once.

Licking her lips, she lets the material drop to the side and sits, fumbling with her hands, plucking at the skin on the side, focusing on the rapid falling of her heart down an endless abyss.

She flinches as he shifts to reach for something on the side table.

Inayah peers at his actions from beneath long lashes, struggling to inhale measured breaths as he places a metallic tin between them. His sapphire blue eyes close an intimate circuit with hers as he carefully twists the tin.

"Where does it hurt?" He silkily inquires as the faint scent of eucalyptus and mint evades her nostrils, burning the back of her eyes.

Inayah blinks hard to prevent crying over the smell, and focuses on his hand which holds the container. At his words, she feels a flare of mild irritation; Could he not see the thin Red marks across her chest? Her thighs? Her hands? She works her teeth back and forth, somehow unable to form a proper sentence.

His laps shift beneath her, "If you wish for me to heal you, I'd suggest speaking up."

Her nostrils flare as she inhales deeply, then licks her teeth. "Everywhere." Her words are unintentionally low, but he hears them.

"You're quite fragile," his voice holds certain iciness to it, a critique for not being able to accept his punishment, "I have had pets before who could take more than a simple whipping and still sleep fine."

Inayah is unsure of whether she should reply or not. She focuses on his slender strong fingers which scoop a generous amount of the oil and lifts it to her chest. Her breath catches as one finger presses at the center of her breastbone, wistfully trailing down the center to her navel, dipping in thoughtfully before flicking out.

Her face flames at the deep, mirthful chuckle he elicits, perhaps amused by her reaction.

Inayah grits her teeth, struggling to keep a straight face when his warm palm flattens over her abdomen, skimming back up the same path,stopping right over her neck.

His hand curls possessively,but there is no pressure. Salem smooths the ointment over her shoulders then collarbones, tracing the faint bows that dip at the center. Her skin is cool beneath his, and he feels her traitorous pulse giving way to each touch of his.

He cups her breast in one hand, eliciting a soft shuddering inhale from his slave but she does not move. His gaze is liquid and brilliant as it captures hers, willing her to look away as he gently kneads the ointment onto her breast.

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