The Plume: The Second Anthology by Ella Ardent Page B

chuckled.
    She was his. She could move her hips a little
and turn her head but that was it.
    “Perfect,” he said, then began to wind the
ends of the ribbons around her arm. He criss-crossed the ribbon
over her skin, encasing her in a net of satin. He knotted the
ribbon at regular intervals, working with care and testing the
tightness of his bonds with his fingertip. As before, he was
methodical and he was thorough.
    Joanna shuddered. She was being encased in a
satin cage by him again. Rex was making her into some composition
only he could see. He’d then use her for her pleasure, and probably
ensure that she had some release as well. It didn’t really matter.
The only thing that was important was that she would have those
pictures in her possession when he was done with her.
    Her privacy would be secured.
    And for now, she was captive. She allowed
herself to enjoy the sensation of being confined. Rex bound her
completely in the green ribbon, as if it was a second skin. He
didn’t hurry, but he didn’t linger either. He worked steadily. Her
arms and legs were encased and the ends of the ribbons all knotted
behind her waist.
    She thought he might be done. Her breasts and
genitals were displayed and her mouth. The rest of her was
bound.
    But Rex leaned over her and wound all of the
ends around her waist repeatedly. He pulled them tight like a
corset and knotted them together over her stomach. Joanna could
barely catch her breath, even after Mike’s daily tightening of her
corsets.
    Rex tied a bow and arranged the ends of the
ribbons so they curled and caressed her skin. She must look like a
gift.
    She felt him stand back and consider her. She
knew that he walked around the bed, admiring the view, even though
his footsteps were almost silent. She waited for the sound of a
camera shutter, but there wasn’t one.
    He would keep his promise.
    Rex left the bedroom and returned a moment
later. Joanna jumped as his fingertip touched her hot sex and she
squirmed when he smoothed some of that unguent over her
clitoris.
    Then she moaned as it sent a tingling heat
through her body.
    “Silence!” Rex chastised. “Or I’ll have to
use more.”
    Joanna bit her lip to contain her moan and he
chuckled. He flicked a bit of the cream across her nipples, then
she felt him move away once more. The weight of his gaze was
heavy.
    “Don’t move,” he instructed her, as if she
had a choice.
    She feared that now he would get the camera,
but he kissed her cheek again.
    “I’ll be back. Be silent.” The words were
breathed against her skin.
    Where was he going? And why? Anxiety rose in
Joanna that she would be left like this, even for a moment.
    But Rex left the room. She heard the sound of
the closet opening and closing, as if he was getting his coat. Then
she heard the door to the hall open and click shut.
    Silence.
    He was gone.
    Joanna wriggled but she was as securely bound
as she knew herself to be. She could barely shiver. She certainly
couldn’t free herself. She feared that she’d been abandoned in the
hotel room but couldn’t do anything about it.
    Should she scream?
    Would anyone come?
    What would a maid think who found her like
this?
    With an effort, Joanna reminded herself to
trust Rex. He was playing a game with her. Or he’d forgotten
something. If she screamed, he’d punish her for her
disobedience.
    Maybe keep her captive longer.
    Maybe neglect to surrender the
photographs.
    Joanna bit her lip and kept silent. Rex was
pushing the experience to the next level to heighten her response.
He played by Plume rules. She wasn’t in danger and he’d ensure that
she never would be. No, this was a choice. Maybe he thought he was
fulfilling her fantasy. Maybe it was part of his. Joanna took a
steadying breath and told herself to remain calm.
    For however long it took.
     
    * * *
     
    Mike was annoyed that Rex called him and
insisted upon a meeting. He’d been to Joanna’s place but Louise
said she didn’t know where Joanna