Chapter 7–CLAUDE

CLAUDE

"CLAUDE. WAKE UP."

The command cut through my hazy dreams, and I opened my eyes, instantly aware of Nikolia's gaze boring into me. That look alone was enough to sharpen my senses.

"Christ, that was fucking weird," he muttered, his eyes flicking over my face.

I blinked, sitting up slowly and raking a hand through my hair. "What?"

"Your eyes." He gave a frustrated sigh, one hand lifting as if to explain, then letting it drop. "Forget it. Afternoon now. Figured I'd wake you for—" He looked at the clock. "Lunch," he corrected, sinking onto the bed's edge with a smirk.

I froze as Nikolia's hand found the back of my neck, his touch warm, possessive. He pulled me in, close enough that our breaths mingled, and he watched me like he was cataloging every flicker of my expression.

"When I came out of the bathroom last night, you were already out cold," he murmured, low and gruff, his voice tickling my ear. "It was that good, huh?"

I felt a surge of heat, memories from last night crashing in waves. My cock jerked in response and before I could react, I jerked back, and Nikolia's gaze narrowed. But he didn't press, just stood, unruffled.

"I'll… meet you there," I said, my voice barely steady as I pushed back the covers and avoided his eyes.

"Pets don't wander off on their own and can't be alone without their masters" he replied, a dark edge in his voice. I bit down on my lip, feeling his stare pierce through me.

"Right. I'll just shower—quick," I mumbled, practically stumbling into the bathroom, heart pounding as I closed the door behind me.

—

Humans Are Weird.

The thought circled in my mind as I stood next to Nikolia, feeling oddly exposed in my simple white V-neck shirt and black knee-length shorts, black slippers on my feet. Beside me, Nikolai was all confidence, his suit tailored and sharp, drawing attention without even trying. His hand rested on the small of my back, steady, possessive.

"Let's go," he said, tipping his head toward the lounge.

As we moved through the crowd, people seemed to part like we had some invisible force field around us. Or maybe it was just Nikolai. Either way, no one dared block our path.

We slipped into a secluded booth, and I glanced at the menu, my heart still settling. The waiter came by, took our orders, and I let out a slow, steady breath and couldn't help but look around again.

As we waited for our order, I couldn't help but scan the room again. It was easy to tell who the masters were and who the pets were—mostly because the pets were often tugged around in chains, either perched on someone's lap or wearing far less than I would ever feel comfortable in.

"This is your first time doing this?" Nikolai's voice cut through my thoughts, firm and probing, not really a question at all. His gaze felt like a spotlight on me, intense, and I had to look away, a strange rush of heat washing over me.

"Yeah," I murmured, my eyes wandering again, and then they landed on a familiar figure. I did a double take when I recognized the dark hair streaked with purple. Diana. My heart sank as I followed her, the bright chain around her neck stark against her skin. She was in nothing but a pair of pink panties, being tugged along by—my stomach twisted as I turned my head to see who it was—Antonio.

"Are you gay?" Nikolai's question snapped me back, and I frowned, caught off guard.

"What?" I replied, confusion knitting my brows together.

"Are you gay, or are you just doing this for the money?" he asked again, the edge of his tone making my skin prickle.

"I… I don't know," I admitted, and I could see Nikolai's jaw work, a muscle tensing in his cheek.

"So you've never fucked a man or had a man fuck you?" His question hit me like a punch, and I looked away, my hands balling and my cheeks heating. So that's what gay meant.

"I have." I forced the words out and sighed in relief when the waiter returned with our food. Maybe if we stuffed our mouths, we could avoid this conversation for a while.

I grabbed my knife and fork, cutting into the juicy steak, and just as I lifted a piece to my lips, Nikolia spoke up.

"So you've fucked a man or been—"

"Goddess, do you have to be so blunt?" I shot back, glaring at the bastard across from me.

He leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked at me over the rim of his glass. "Look around, Claude. You signed up for blunt."

I glanced around the place, taking in the dark corners and soft lighting. I had been scanning the room since we walked in, but it didn't matter. My focus was on him.

"I watched you last night, Claude. I was the third person to approach you. You could've told me to fuck off if this"—he gestured to the opulent surroundings—"isn't what you want."

He had a point. Why was I hesitating now? I had loved being pressed against him, his fingers exploring—

My grip tightened on the fork, bending it slightly from the pressure. I shot him a look, then dropped the silverware, frustration bubbling up.

"Are you gay?" I asked, and his eyebrows shot up as if I'd just told a bad joke.

Nikolia didn't answer. He just twirled his fork in his spaghetti, his eyes never leaving me. I clenched my teeth.

"Have you slept with men, Nikolia?" I pressed, and when he leaned back again, I felt the tension crackle.

"Remember what I told Antonio last night?" he asked, leaning closer. Right—he had said men weren't his thing.

"Yeah," I replied, my annoyance growing.

"But—"

"But does wanting to fuck you mean I'm gay?" He waved his hand like it was nothing. "Maybe. But why the hell would I deny myself something I want? And trust me," his grey eyes raked over me, dark and heavy, locking onto mine again, "you want it too."

He leaned back, sipping his drink like it was all a game. "I'm not going to force you to spread your legs just because I bought you, Claude. If it were anyone else, you'd wish you never boarded this ship—"

My body tensed at his words, and I froze, feeling trapped. "—but unless you're sure you want it, I'll leave you alone."

I sat there, rigid, every word hitting me hard. Then he cursed, breaking the moment.

"Shit. Stay here, Claude." He shot up from his seat, hurrying away, and I panicked.

Wait—didn't he say Pets weren't allowed to be alone without their masters?

I sank back down, staring at my untouched plate, appetite gone. His words echoed in my head.

Why was I denying myself pleasure when I had craved it, loved it, wanted it so badly just last night?