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his.
    Kenneth had shut out all sentiments regarding love or attraction for quite a while. His experiences with Preston had seemed to effectively destroy those thoughts. But from the moment the strikingly handsome man had warmly welcomed him to the club then done a beautifully severe beating on a submissive—Kenneth had been smitten. In Saul, he saw that perfect combination of harsh and sweet he’d relished when he was with Ronald.
    In the two short months he’d been around the other submissives at Hampton Road, he’d heard plenty of gossip regarding all the Masters. A few things had stood out to him that related primarily to Master Saul. The Dominant man didn’t have a boy of his own, all the submissives who’d enjoyed his attentions praised him highly and no one had ever said they were afraid to be alone with him. Beyond all that, he was sure he’d caught Master Saul’s interested stare more than once.
    He shivered at the thought of those glances. Kenneth knew he shouldn’t have raised his eyes, but he hadn’t been able to help it. Once, Master Saul had caught him. Instead of reporting him to Preston for his disrespect, he’d winked, then with a small curl at the corner of his lips had subtly gestured for Kenneth to lower his gaze. Kenneth had held on to that moment with all that he had. He’d known in his heart that Saul hadn’t been disappointed in him—he’d merely been protecting him from Preston’s ire.
    The screen of the back door slammed shut, so he knew Preston was on his way to free him for whatever services he would require. He quickly hid the used rag behind some garden tools and pretended to still be asleep.
    “Good God, you are one of the laziest, most pathetic creatures I’ve ever come across.” He pretended that Preston’s words had roused him from a sound sleep by rising slowly and rubbing his eyes. Preston squatted next to him to undo the lock on his chains.
    “Look alive. I have a busy day ahead of me and don’t have time for your nonsense. Get inside, use the bathroom then make yourself something to eat. You have a half hour before I chain you again, so make the best use of your time.”
    “A half… I’m to be left in here alone all day?”
    Preston narrowed his eyes at him. “No, you imbecile. Do you think I’m that stupid? You’ll be in the attic where I know that no one can hear you if you scream for help. Don’t think I don’t know how ungrateful and untrustworthy you are.”
    The trembling took over his entire body. The few times he’d been left imprisoned in the attic had been terrifying. He’d been surrounded on all sides by walls of mattresses to muffle any yells he might make. The fear that they could fall and smother him had been overwhelming. That had been mingled in with the worry of what could happen if the home caught fire or he had some other emergency and couldn’t get free to seek assistance. What then?
    “Please don’t, Preston. I beg you. I’ll do anything you want, anything.”
    “I know you will, because I always make you. There’s nothing you can tempt me with that will make me change my mind.” Preston sneered at him. “I won’t fall for your ridiculous attempts at seducing me again.”
    His tormentor went back to muttering to himself about liars and how he wasn’t a fool and so on. Preston kicked at him. Kenneth quickly rose to his feet, panic already climbing in his throat. Where was Preston going? How long would he be gone? He should be happy to be away from him for any period of time, but not under the circumstances Preston planned to force him into.
    “I said, get moving!”
    Preston shoved at his shoulder and Kenneth ran into the house. Once they were inside the door, Preston’s voice stopped him from advancing toward the bathroom off the kitchen that he so desperately needed.
    “Before you do anything else, gather my finest leather waistcoat and the buckled boots. Oh, and the diamond cufflinks, the one karat platinum ones.” More