Sadistic Games Read online

  “It’s your fault,” she accused herself. “You shouldn’t have allowed him to ask that question. He’s a sadist, Miriam,” she lectured bitterly. “That’s what they do, they do what it takes to get what they want.”

  Her heart ached at the fact that he wanted that. He wanted her to be wrong, wanted her to fail. Why? And why did she take that so personally? “Cause you’re stupid,” she whispered, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands. “And a hypocrite.”

  No matter how many times she wiped her eyes, the tears came and came. Then finally slowed, leaving her numb. She suddenly realized something. He could be lying about everything.

  She sat up. He was a sadist. Sadists lie non-stop. He could be lying about everything. The orgasm, the fact that he needed it with her, his entire condition could have been fabricated!

  Hope surged in her, and she shot up off the bed to stand, her mind racing. She needed to verify things. She was nodding continually now. This wasn’t time to give up, it was time to dig in, dig deeper. And while she was “looking” for another place, she’d do exactly that until she had a new plan.

  In fact, she’d dig now.

  ****

  Mordecai had never been more aware of his phone in his back pocket. But until she replied to his text that ended it, there was unfinished business. He took it out and set it on his desk in his bedroom, and the second he did, it chimed. Picking it up, he looked. “Professor Dorchester,” he muttered, not liking the dude in his business. But since he was his advisor, he was stuck with him.

  He opened the messages.

  “Miriam messaged. She’s asking about protocols in regard to your personal records. Is everything okay?”

  Mordecai loathed dense-speaking idiots who tried to make him work for information and returned the favor with, “Fantastic.”

  They’d both have to work now.

  “So, you want me to send her a copy?”

  Mordecai’s anger arrived at the same moment as Miriam’s text.

  “I just wanted you to know that I got your text and I’m sorry. I’ll be looking for another place. I also wanted to let you know that I am taking you up on your offer to see your medical records. I figure even though our time was short, I learned valuable things. I’ll use the medical reports to hopefully help me figure out what I can. Like where I went wrong and what I should’ve done differently and why.

  “I should have looked at the records first, that was my mistake. It was a timing error. I planned to look but didn’t anticipate things to go so badly so quickly. I’m very sorry, I hope you can forgive me for any trouble I caused you.

  Miriam.”

  The throb in his cock just reading her text made his teeth grit. His body clearly didn’t see anything as over. Probably the fact that she’d messaged the professor for his records. To his brain, it was a move on the playing field, and that meant she was still playing, which meant he was still playing.

  He messaged the professor, “Sure.”

  He opened Miriam’s message box. “I don’t mind at all. I hope you find answers.”

  He hit send and waited, staring at the screen. His body engaged when the reply ellipses began moving. “Thank you so much. I’d say it was kind of you, but you’ve made it clear you’re ultimately just being an ass.”

  Mordecai’s mouth tugged.

  “I’ll have to find a new subject. Professor Dorchester implied he might know a couple of candidates so that’s hopeful.”

  Mordecai’s body locked up as his mind handed him the exact sadists the professor would likely consider as candidates. He set the phone down when his instincts urged him to type without careful calculation. They were usually reliable, but he didn’t like skipping the calculation part. The planning served half the need, and provided satisfaction.

  He considered the playing field, unsure of a couple things that needed to be known before he could strategize. Was she bullshitting? She wasn’t when it came to getting his medical report, but what about the professor providing her other subjects? It seemed out of character for him to suggest that without talking to Mordecai first and finding out what happened. But he could have said it to appease her if she’d asked for other likely subjects. And yet the professor had an opportunity to tell him and didn’t. That could mean he didn’t feel it necessary since he had no plan of doing anything without discussing it with him. He asked Mordecai if everything was okay, and Mordecai indicated it was. Which made him wonder what Miriam told him? She could have just asked for the medical report and said nothing else. If that were the case, then she wanted Mordecai to think she was going to find other candidates, which meant… she was still trying to help him.

  That final idea had his cock hard again. If she was still playing that could mean a lot of things. She was the worthy opponent he’d thought she was to begin with, and the other meant he wasn’t done. He liked that since his body had said as much. Knowing his instincts were in tune to his puzzles—Miriam, in this case—shot him full of adrenalin.

  He needed to find out what she told the professor and what the professor told her.

  He typed to the professor— “If you don’t mind, I would like any exchanges that occur between you and my subject regarding the study forwarded to me. Please email me anything you have so far when you can.”

  He didn’t need a copy of her medical; he had that and had gone through it over a year ago. But he did need to look at it again and compare it with the new information he had, look for inconsistencies. The more data he had to play with, the better.

  His phone pinged and the second he saw it was Miriam, his cock jerked. Like there was a chain attached from his dick to her. “If you need help finding another subject, let me know. I might be able to help.”

  A surge of energy pumped through his veins. She was fishing for information. “Thank you, but I already have somebody in mind.” He considered how far he wanted to go with that. All the way. “I have a meeting with her this evening.”

  He hit send, and she pinged right back.

  “Wow, that was quick. You don’t waste any time. Love your dedication.”

  Her response fueled him, and he wanted more of the satisfaction it gave. “The good news is, she’s an atheist and has no qualms with sexual situations. Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you being Christian was a bad thing, just for my particular situation…”

  He had to stand and pace as he watched the phone for her response.

  “Good for you. I’m sure she’ll be able to assist you with all your studious needs and then some.”

  “Ohhh,” he muttered, having more fun than he probably should be. He texted “Are you suggesting I use her for the issue you awoke in me?”

  Mordecai again resisted his body’s insistence that he touch his cock while talking to her. His body wanted the orgasm fast and efficient, but he wanted it differently. With far more involved than a simple text conversation.

  “Do what you feel is right, Mordecai. I can’t help you there. So, who is she? Is she from the college?”

  He typed “She’s just an acquaintance through my stock business. So, given who I am, you think it’s okay if I let her? And if so, I may need some advice about that since I have no clue what I’m doing.” “Fuck,” he groaned sitting and forcing his cock against his jeans.

  “I’d rather not be that person.”

  “I have nobody else,” he typed back. “Just basic help.”

  “I can’t. Sorry.”

  “I just need to know if I should reciprocate.”

  “I CAN’T HELP YOU! STOP!”

  Fuck, she was jealous he could feel it down to his bones. This added element opened up the playing field in a whole new way. “Fine. Never mind then. Would you at least meet her, I already told her about you and she was intrigued.”

  His phone suddenly rang, and he raised his brows to see it was Miriam. He slid his thumb over the phone icon. “Hello?”

  “What did you tell her? You had no right telling her anything that was confide
ntial!”

  “I just told her you were my first subject but due to circumstances beyond our control, you had to withdraw,” he said innocently, all while trying to think of a single female he might be able to use to make this ruse as real as he could.

  “Well… okay, just… remember that.”

  “Of course. Did Professor Dorchester get back with you on those other options for you? By the way, I’m cooking dinner for her and was thinking you could join us. I see no reason for us to not be friends.”

  He gripped his cock finally and squeezed when she erupted with sputters of confused syllables. “I… Sure, I guess. And yes, he did get back with me. He gave me three names to contact.”

  “Did he? Great. I may know them and can give you some inside information to help you better plan your strategy.” Words had never been harder to say as he paced next to his desk.

  “Oh, uh, I’ll have to get them. They’re in my email.”

  “Sure, I’ll wait,” he suggested.

  “Okay,” she said lightly. “And so, this new prospect of yours, how old is she?”

  “Twenty-two. But has plenty of experience.”

  “Wow, like a… teenager in science terms,” she said with one of her loud laughs. He realized she did those when nervous. “What’s her field of expertise, besides being a professional sexologist.”

  Mordecai held the phone at arm’s length and stifled a laugh before bringing it back to his ear. “She was an early bloomer. Has a Masters in all things Math. She may turn out to be the perfect candidate. I never would’ve thought of her had you not come, so, thank you for that.”

  “Well, glad my wrecking ball skills found a useful purpose. What time is dinner did you say?”

  “7:00.”

  “Is this… casual or dressy?”

  “Kind of formal.”

  He knew every piece of clothing she owned and knew— “I have no formal clothes”—she’d say exactly that.

  “Ah shit,” he said. “She’s the kind of person that judges a book by its cover. Would you mind if I bought you something? I have to go into town for groceries.”

  “Pfff, as if! You can’t buy me clothes, you don’t know my size, my taste. And who cares what she thinks of me?”

  “It matters to people like her. You wouldn’t understand but trust me. And on your clothes, you’re right. How about I guess and if I’m wrong, you can just… wear your best. She’ll have to understand.”

  “Oh, she sure will have to. What exactly did you tell her about me?” she asked, defensively.

  Mordecai had to sit again, leaving his legs open for maximum pressure against his raging hard on. “Nothing, really. She knows you’re a Christian.”

  “Oh, well I’m sure that translates into a frumpy, judgmental, hypocrite for her.”

  “You sound nervous. You have nothing to be ashamed of, really.”

  “I’m not nervous or ashamed, why would you say that?”

  And yet her tone grew shriller with every exchange. “You just seem uncomfortable, I’m not sure what you are.”

  “Well it’s not nervous, and it’s certainly not ashamed. I am proud of my beliefs and I hope she doesn’t expect me to be anything else. I should warn you that I don’t back down because of religious persecution.”

  “Of course, you don’t and shouldn’t,” he said, grinning. “I would kick her out of my home if she did that. But I know her. She wouldn’t. She’s special.”

  Mordecai bit his lower lip, fighting a laugh. “Too bad you didn’t use her to start with, would have saved us both a lot of turmoil.”

  “Well, it wasn’t all bad.”

  “Oh, you’re right,” she said in mock relief. “I did give you your very first hard on. Maybe she’ll have some neat atheistic methods that’ll enable you to pretend it doesn’t exist.”

  Fuuuuck, he was going to explode. “Did you ever find those names?” he asked, needing to change the subject.

  “I sure did. Daniel Forbes, Jason Comb, and Darrel Furiour. I think that’s how you pronounce it. Anybody you know?” she asked sweetly.

  Mordecai’s dick should’ve deflated like a flat tire but instead it raged on with those names. “I do,” he said, fighting to keep his tone even. “I’ll give you a full report on all three, maybe after dinner.”

  “Great,” she said. But the excitement was forced, and he needed to know why. He’d know soon enough.

  “I need to run. Do you need anything while I’m out? I can pick it up.”

  “Nothing I’m permitted.”

  He paused, wondering what she meant by that. “Okay. I’ll deliver your dress and things at around 6:00.”

  She gave a sigh that sounded resigned, but not to defeat, to something else. Work, maybe. “Fine, but I have a really weird body type, hardly anything fits.”

  “I can only try.”

  “I’ll keep the tags for when you need to return it.”

  “You have so little faith in me. I’m hurt.”

  She gave her first real laugh, and it got him hard again. “I have to have proof before I put faith in people.”

  He nearly bit his tongue in half with that one. “Fair enough. Bye Miriam.”

  “Bye.”

  He stared at the phone, letting her name roll in his head before he whispered it again. “Miriam.” It was his new favorite word. His new favorite everything.

  C H A P T E R T H R E E

  Killer Plans

  Before Mordecai did any shopping, he checked out one lead. And what he found changed everything. The entire playing field shifted, new pieces appeared on the board, greater threats, fresh puzzles locked into place, and rigorous challenges taunted his desires.

  But the time constraints triggered the implementation of his colder, lethal talents. In a matter of five minutes, Mordecai formulated the killer plan.

  Once the wagers were set, he continued on with his evening ruse that began with clothes shopping for Miriam. The experience quickly became one of lustful indulgence and knowing she’d consider the type of outfit he had in mind as crossing a hard line made it that much better.

  Considering her lust, he chose sheer black for her delicates. But when he considered everything else about her, white fit. His hand moved between both until he settled on black. It was the color his body craved more judging by the images his mind produced when he imagined her in it.

  He chose a black, slender dress made of a giving material. The straps were slim, and the cleavage hung loose, low enough to barely tempt the average man while setting fire to any virgin. Which he was, in all things Miriam. But the garter and stockings were the stellar items. If she wore those, it meant she was taking his bait. If she didn’t, well, he’d figure out what that meant in time.

  The jewelry he selected was simple. Delicate silver necklace and matching bracelet. No earrings, she never wore those. And finally, for her feet, he chose low heels with velvet slim straps. And by her jealous god, he couldn’t wait to see her in all of it.

  Back by 5:45, he texted her from his car. “I have your things. May I bring them up to you?”

  “Yes. I’m getting out of the shower, just put them at the door.”

  Images of a wet and naked Miriam flooded him. “Coming.”

  At the door to her bedroom, Mordecai stood there, not wanting to put the items on the floor. He knocked softly, and she called, “Come in.”

  Opening the door, he found the bedroom empty if he wasn’t counting the explosion of clothes flung everywhere. Making his way to her bed, he heard her talking and realized it was directed at somebody else. Was she on the phone with a friend?

  He searched for a place to lay the items and realized there wasn’t one. He went to the closet and opened it.

  “What are you doing!” she screeched, wrapped in a towel.

  He stared at her body, unable to stop himself. “You said come in.”

  “I said don’t come in!”

  He met her wide-eyed gaze. “I have your things and there’s no
place to put them down in your disaster zone bedroom.”

  She gave him wider eyes. “Get! Out! It’s my room,” she shrilled. “And I like clutter, so… shoo!”

  He dropped the items unceremoniously onto the floor before him. “There.”

  “Thank you! Go!”

  He turned and walked out having to step over things as he did. How in her god’s non-existent name could she stand a mess like this? “Two trash bags,” he muttered. There’s no way she could have this much shit. This was pure dysfunctional flair. And he’d told her she had to be neat. It was clear she thought he meant everywhere but her room.

  Wrong. He couldn’t live with that under his roof. He’d never sleep.

  ****

  Miriam pressed her hand on her heart, willing it to not beat out of her chest. She peeked her head into the room when the door shut and hurried over and locked it. Turning, her eyes widened at the mess. Shit, shit, shit! She’d literally gone through every single item she owned that was remotely close to formal and tried them all on in every order she could think of. She was down to praying Mordecai got lucky!

  She remembered he dropped everything in her closet and ran to it, kneeling before the pile. Her breath slowly sucked in as she held up the black dress. “Does he really think I would wear something like this?” She gave a shocked gasp when she opened the smaller bag of black undergarments! Bra??? Panty??? Stockings??? “Ohhhhhhhh myyyyy God,” she softly cried at finding the garter belt! “Is he out of his sadistic mind? As if I would wear any of this! Probably doesn’t even fit!”

  She quickly hurried to try it all on, wanting to confirm it as fast as she could. But with every piece, her certainty diminished until she was left with another shock. And awe. They fit her perfectly. Everything did. “Not like you could get stockings and a garter wrong,” she muttered, hurrying to the body length mirror in the closet, looking for a flaw. At finding none but her bare feet, she spun around and hurried for the shoe box. “If he gets this right, he wins, and I’ll wear every bit of it.” She was nearly impossible to fit in shoes. They were either too wide for her slender feet, or too tight. She had to pick between wide and tight, she usually chose tight, depending.