Page 163 of The Pucking Coach's Daughter

I understand what he said, but there was no way I’m facing that reality on my own. Although, hearing him speak it out loud, it’s easier to accept it. My brain is confusing my consent with Oliver—and, admittedly, the time in the arena is sketchy at best—with my fear of Bear’s rape, and also blending the two incidents. Where one was not successful and the other… happened.

I still don’t know if I can call what Oliver did in the arena consensual or not. The mask and heightened emotions fucked everything up.

But Penn and Carter think there’s a way to help me. And at this point, I’m willing to try whatever it takes. While they haven’t laid out exactly what their plan is, I figure it has something to do with talking to Oliver.

That thought alone twists my stomach, but I’m trying to be strong.

“I’m ready,” I confirm. “You’re going with me…?”

“Yes,” Carter says. He shoots Penn a look.

Penn shrugs.

We’re standing outside Carter’s hotel room. He got a room on a different floor but luckily managed to get the same hotel.

They both seem curious, which is not a great sign.

Carter pulls his key card out and swipes it. The door clicks as it unlocks, and I grip the handle. I’m not sure what awaits me, but I need to find out.

There’s a short little hallway with a bathroom on the right, and it opens into a room with two double beds. It’s pretty much a carbon copy of mine.

Except tied down to one of the beds is Oliver Ruiz.

I suck in a breath and stumble back. Carter is right there, catching me around the waist. He runs his nose up my neck behind my ear.

“He can’t hear us,” he whispers. “He can’t see us. And he can’t move.”

I glance over my shoulder at them. “Did you… kidnap him? Or did he agree to this?”

Carter smirks, and my belly tightens.

“He doesn’t know where he is,” Penn says quietly. “He doesn’t know who took him.”

Carter directs my attention to the towel laid out on the desk. Well, not so much the towel as the supplies on it.

A ball gag, a dildo with straps coming off of it, a riding crop, lube, a small rubber ring.

“You don’t expect me to use those…”

Carter shrugs. He goes through each one. The rubber ring is a cock ring, which will make an erection harder. It’s tight, so it restricts blood flow.

I squirm.

He gets to the strap-on dildo and moves the lube next to it.

Pass.

“Okay,” I finally say on an exhale. “Got it. You two can go.”

They exchange a look.

“Are you sure?” Penn asks.

I frown.

“Maybe we’ll just wait over here… out of sight,” Carter suggests. “We won’t peek, but if you need us we’ll literally be right here.”

That actually doesn’t sound like a bad idea. A thrill goes through me.