Chapter 4

The hotel lobby had been all marble and mahogany, but the elevator ride to the eighth floor had been quick and quiet, our group just tipsy enough to find everything slightly funnier than it actually was. Renee led the way down the carpeted hallway, key card in hand, before throwing open the door to her suite with a flourish.

"Welcome to my humble abode," she announced, flipping on lights to reveal a surprisingly spacious room. It wasn't luxury by any means, but it was a far cry from the standard accommodation with barely enough floor space to turn around. A king-sized bed dominated one area, while a separate lounge space featured a comfortable-looking couch and two armchairs around a coffee table. A large window offered a decent view of the city lights, and a small kitchenette occupied one corner.

Zoe whistled, her eyes wide as she wandered in. "This is huge for just one person," she said, sprawling immediately onto the couch like she owned it. The effects of the drinks and my command to relax were still evident in her loose limbs and easy smile.

Renee shrugged, hanging her leather jacket on a hook by the door. "It wasn't that expensive, and I like having my own territory when I'm visiting another town. It's always good to have space for visitors." Her eyes glinted mischievously. "Besides, there was no way I was going to crash in Claudia and Oliver's barely unpacked dorky cave."

"Hey, what's wrong with dorks?" Marcus protested, adjusting his glasses with exaggerated indignation.

I snorted. It was pretty ironic coming from the guy who used to stuff nerds like me into lockers and now spent his weekends painting miniature dragons.

I watched them all settle in, feeling that familiar mix of contentment and exhaustion that social gatherings always brought me. I'd limited myself to just two drinks over the course of the night, partly because I'd be driving us home eventually, but mostly because I didn't like the feeling of losing control. It was nice celebrating with friends, especially after the good news about Collapsed Star, but a part of me was already fantasizing about being home, loading up Valhelm or mindlessly scrolling through streaming services while Claudia dozed against my shoulder.

Claudia was currently kneeling on the floor next to Renee's armchair, her head resting against Renee's thigh while Renee absently stroked her hair. It was a strange dynamic to witness, my girlfriend submitting so completely to someone else, but I'd grown used to it over the months. Sometimes I even found it amusing, though occasionally I felt the urge to reassert my own dominance. Right now, watching Renee's casual control, I found myself wondering what would happen if I simply commanded her to get on her knees. With Renee, it was always a coin toss: fifty percent chance she'd obey just to see where it went, fifty percent chance she'd put me firmly back in my place, which could sometimes be just as interesting.

Renee made her way to the mini-bar, pulling out an assortment of beers. "Nightcap, anyone? The hotel's paying."

"You sure you want to cover that bill?" Marcus asked, eyeing the prices listed on the mini-fridge door. "Those are probably marked up like crazy."

"I'm fine with it," Renee said with a dismissive wave. "Consider it my contribution to our celebration."

"I'm not sure I should drink more," Zoe said, though her eyes were fixed on the colorful array of bottles with obvious interest.

Claudia laughed. "Says the girl who once did seven shots of tequila and then threw up in a fountain."

"That was one time," Zoe protested, already reaching for one of bottles.

"How about we make it interesting?" Renee suggested, a sly smile playing on her lips. "A drinking game, perhaps?"

I shook my head. "I'll pass. Someone has to make sure Claudia and I get home safely."

"Always so responsible," Renee teased, though she winked at me. "At least I know you'll have a clear mind for what we have planned later."

The others eagerly agreed to the game, settling around the coffee table as Renee arranged the bottles in the center.

"Since our dear Owner isn't playing," Renee said, looking at me with that calculating smile, "perhaps he could be our arbiter? Use his power to enforce the rules? We all agree to follow his commands for the duration of the game."

"Ooh, I like that," Claudia chimed in, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "That could be fun."

"Yeah!" Zoe agreed, surprising me with her enthusiasm.

Marcus cleared his throat awkwardly. "That sounds like an interesting idea, but, uh, I'm a guy, so…" He gestured vaguely between himself and me.

Claudia and Zoe's faces fell as they realized the flaw in the plan. I felt a mixture of disappointment and relief. A small part of me had been uncomfortable with the idea of using my power on a tipsy Zoe, despite her agreement.

"Not a problem," Renee said smoothly. "I'm a hypnotist, remember? I can put Marcus in a state where he'll be just as responsive to suggestions as the ladies are to commands. Well, almost."

Marcus blinked rapidly, looking suddenly like a deer in headlights. "You want to… hypnotize me?" His voice cracked slightly on the last word.

"Only if you're comfortable with it," Renee assured him, but there was a predatory edge to her smile that made even me a little nervous.

Marcus looked around at the eager faces of Zoe and Claudia, then back at Renee. He swallowed hard before nodding. "Okay, let's do it. But nothing weird, right?"

Renee's laugh did nothing to reassure him. "Define weird, darling."

Renee gestured for Marcus to sit in one of the armchairs while she settled across from him. "Just get comfortable and focus on my voice," she said, her tone shifting subtly, becoming smoother, more melodic. "This will be fun, I promise."

The rest of us arranged ourselves around the room to watch, Zoe perching on the arm of Marcus's chair, Claudia sitting on the couch, and me leaning against the wall with a perfect view of the proceedings.

"I want you to focus on your breathing first," Renee began, her voice dropping lower, "In through your nose, out through your mouth. That's right. And as you breathe, I want you to notice how with each exhale, your body relaxes a little more."

Marcus's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, his initial nervousness visibly melting away. Renee continued, her words flowing in a hypnotic cadence.

"Now, I want you to focus on my finger," she said, raising her index finger in front of his face. "Follow it with your eyes, just your eyes, don't move your head."

She began moving her finger slowly from side to side, up and down, in deliberate patterns. Marcus's eyes tracked the movement, his blinks becoming slower and heavier.

"Your eyelids are getting heavier now, so heavy it's becoming difficult to keep them open. Soon they'll want to close, and when they do, you'll drop deeper into this peaceful, pleasant state."

I watched, fascinated, as Marcus's eyelids fluttered and then slowly closed. Renee's voice dropped even lower.

"That's good. Now I want you to imagine a staircase, ten steps going down. With each step you take, you'll go deeper into trance. Ten… your body getting heavier… nine… sounds around you fading… eight… deeper and deeper…"

As she counted down, Marcus's head drooped slightly, his body visibly sinking into the chair. His breathing had slowed considerably, his face completely relaxed.

"Three… two… one… and now you're at the bottom of the stairs, in a deep, comfortable trance. So deep that your eyelids are sealed shut, completely stuck together. In fact, the more you try to open them, the more tightly they stay closed."

Marcus's brow furrowed slightly as he apparently tried to open his eyes, his eyelids fluttering but remaining closed. A small sound of surprise escaped him.

"That's right, they're sealed shut," Renee continued, her voice now carrying an unmistakable note of dominance. "The harder you try to open them, the tighter they stay closed."

Marcus made another attempt, his hands gripping the armrests, but his eyes remained firmly shut. A tiny noise of panic rose from his throat.

"It's okay," Renee soothed. "You're safe. Now I'm going to count from five to one, and with each number, you'll go twice as deep as you are now. Five… deeper… four… your mind becoming completely open to suggestion… three… all resistance fading away… two… deeper than you've ever been… one."

Marcus's body went completely limp, his breathing so slow and regular he might have been asleep.

"Marcus," Renee said, her voice firm but gentle, "while you're in this state, you will find that you will obey any command given to you by Oliver. His words will feel irresistible to you, his commands impossible to deny. This feels right and natural to you. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Marcus mumbled, his voice barely audible.

"Do you agree to this suggestion?"

"Yes," he repeated, slightly stronger.

"Excellent. Now, when I count to three and snap my fingers, you will wake up, feeling refreshed and alert. You will remember everything that happened, but the suggestions I've given you will remain firmly in place. One… starting to wake up… two… becoming more aware of your surroundings… three."

She snapped her fingers, and Marcus's eyes flew open. He blinked rapidly, looking slightly disoriented.

"Holy shit," he said, shaking his head slightly. "That was… weird."

"How did it feel?" Zoe asked eagerly, leaning closer to him.

"Like… like I was floating? But also super heavy at the same time." He ran a hand through his hair. "And I really couldn't open my eyes. I tried, but it was like they were glued shut."

"Renee's amazing with hypnosis," Claudia said proudly, as if her girlfriend's skill reflected well on her. "You should see what she can do when she really gets going."

Renee made a little bow. "I'm damn good, but I certainly don't have the power of the Owner here. His suggestions just work, just like that, no matter how crazy."

I couldn't help but be impressed. I'd seen hypnosis on stage before, even watched videos of it online, but seeing it happen right in front of me to someone I knew was different. "That was incredible," I admitted.

"Why don't you test it out?" Renee suggested, gesturing toward Marcus. "See if my suggestion took hold."

Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Wait, I'm not sure if—"

"Marcus," I said, cutting him off, "put your fingers in your nose and find yourself unable to remove them until I tell you to."

His face went through a fascinating series of expressions—confusion, resistance, resignation—before he slowly raised both hands and inserted his index fingers into his nostrils. His eyes widened in shock.

"Oh my god," he said, voice nasal and strained. "I can't… I can't take them out!" He tugged at his hands, but they remained firmly in place. "This isn't funny, guys!" he protested, though he was laughing even as he complained. "Oliver, come on, let me go!"

The rest of us burst into laughter, Zoe nearly falling off the arm of the chair. Claudia was holding her sides, and even Renee was chuckling appreciatively.

"Oliver, please!" Marcus begged, still trying unsuccessfully to pull his fingers from his nose. "This is ridiculous!"

I let him suffer for another moment before taking pity on him. "Marcus, you can remove your fingers now."

His hands dropped immediately to his lap, and he wiped them frantically on his pants, looking both relieved and bemused. "That was the weirdest thing I've ever experienced," he said, shaking his head. "I knew what I was doing was stupid, but I couldn't stop myself."

"You're extremely suggestible," Renee noted, looking at him with newfound interest. "It usually takes much longer to get that level of response. You're a natural."

Marcus blushed furiously, adjusting his glasses. "I don't know if that's a compliment or not."

"This is actually really cool," Zoe said, her eyes bright with excitement. "Maybe I should learn hypnosis."

"I'd be happy to recommend some reading material," Renee offered. "It's a skill like any other. Takes practice, but the results…" She glanced meaningfully at Claudia, who immediately lowered her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.

"So, what are the rules of this game anyway?" Zoe asked, looking eagerly between Renee and me.

Marcus was still touching his nose with a bewildered expression, which sent Claudia into another fit of giggles. "Still can't believe that worked," he muttered, wiggling his fingers experimentally.

"The mind is a powerful thing," Renee said with a wink, before reaching into the mini-fridge and pulling out another beer. Without warning, she popped the cap and tilted her head back, chugging the entire bottle in one continuous gulp. We all watched in amazement as her throat worked, not a drop spilled or a moment's hesitation.

She finished with a satisfied "Ah!" and placed the empty bottle on the coffee table with a decisive thunk.

"The rules are simple," she announced, spinning the bottle casually with one finger. "We spin the bottle. Whoever it lands on chooses truth or dare." She looked up at me with a mischievous grin. "Then our esteemed Owner here decides what truth they must tell or what dare they must perform. He can use his power to compel the ladies, and his newly established influence over Marcus, to ensure complete compliance."

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, feeling that familiar mix of discomfort and temptation whenever my power was discussed so casually. Part of me wanted to refuse, to keep things light and harmless. But another part, the part that still sometimes dreamed about the days when I could command any woman to do anything, was intrigued.

"And everyone else drinks," Renee continued, gesturing to the mini bottles. "Simple, fun, and we all get to see what kind of creative master our Oliver really is."

Marcus looked slightly pale. "So, uh, anything goes? Any truth, any dare?"

"Within reason," I said quickly, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Nothing that would cause actual harm or trauma."

"Spoilsport," Renee teased.

"I'm in," Zoe declared, settling more comfortably on the couch next to Claudia.

"Me too," Claudia agreed, practically bouncing with excitement.

All eyes turned to Marcus, who swallowed visibly before nodding. "Okay, I'm game. But I reserve the right to complain loudly while following any ridiculous commands."

"That's fair," I conceded with a laugh.

I settled into an armchair, trying to look casual as Renee poured drinks for everyone except me before squeezing herself next to Zoe. Zoe reached out and spun the empty beer bottle with a flick of her wrist. It rotated rapidly, gradually slowing until it finally came to rest pointing directly back at her.

"No way!" she protested, her lower lip jutting out in an exaggerated pout. Her eyes darted around the circle before finally settling on me with a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

"Truth or dare?" Claudia asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Zoe took a deep breath. "Dare."

The others dutifully took sips from their drinks, watching expectantly as I considered what to command. There was something undeniably arousing about having Zoe look at me like that, waiting for my word, ready to obey. A small, dark part of me wondered just how far I could push her in her current relaxed, tipsy state. Would she refuse if I went too far? Or would the combination of ****, my command to relax, and the social pressure make her go along with things she'd normally refuse?

I glanced at Marcus, expecting to see some hesitation or concern on his face, but he just looked curious, waiting to see what I'd say.

Better to start safe, I decided, not wanting to ruin the friendly atmosphere or tempt the devil... me.

"Zoe, I command you to do a little dance for us," I said, keeping my voice light.

There was a brief moment where I could see her processing the command, weighing it, before she suddenly stood up. She moved to an open space near the coffee table and began swaying her hips, raising her arms above her head in a cute, somewhat awkward dance that was made even more endearing by her slight intoxication, her large breasts bouncing gently under her t-shirt. After about thirty seconds, she gave a little twirl and plopped back down on the couch, grinning.

Renee snorted and shook her head. "That's the best you can do, Owner? Disappointing."

"Underwhelming, I have to say," Claudia complained, smirking.

"Hey, not my fault," Zoe protested, gesturing toward me. "That's what he asked for."

Something shifted inside me, a combination of the challenge in their tones, the **** in the room, and the lingering arousal from earlier. I bit my lower lip, heart racing as I made a decision.

"Fine. Zoe, I command you to believe you're a stripper and we're your clients. Undress for us until you're…" I hesitated, swallowed hard, then finished, "topless. Then snap out of it."

The room went silent. Zoe froze, and for longer than before, I could see her processing the command, weighing whether to refuse. Then she blinked, and her entire demeanor transformed. Her posture straightened, her eyes took on a sultry quality, and a confident smirk replaced her previous nervous smile.

"Well, hello there," she purred, her voice dropping to a husky register I'd never heard from her before. She glanced around as if seeing the room for the first time. "Quite the private party we've got here."

She stood up again, but this time there was nothing awkward about her movements. She began swaying to music only she could hear, her hands sliding up her sides to trace the curves of her body.

"Like what you see?" she asked, directing the question to all of us but letting her gaze linger on me. Her fingers played with the hem of her t-shirt, lifting it just enough to reveal a strip of soft skin above her jeans.

Beside me, Claudia shifted closer, clearly enjoying the show. Renee watched with an appraising eye, a small smile playing on her lips. And Marcus… Marcus was transfixed, his earlier nervousness replaced by naked desire.

Zoe turned her back to us, looking over her shoulder as she slowly, teasingly pulled her shirt up inch by inch, revealing the smooth curve of her lower back. Then, with a fluid motion, she pulled the shirt over her head entirely and tossed it aside.

She stood before us in just her bra and jeans, the black lace a stark contrast against her pale skin. Her breasts were straining against the fabric as she arched her back slightly.

"The show's just getting started," she said with a wink, reaching behind her to unhook the clasp of her bra. There was a moment of suspense as she held the garment in place, teasing us with the possibility of what was to come.

Then, with deliberate slowness, she let the bra slide down her arms and fall to the floor.

Her breasts were magnificent, full and round with small pink nipples that hardened in the air-conditioned room. She cupped them briefly, offering them to us like gifts before letting her hands slide down to rest on her hips.

And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the stripper persona vanished. Zoe blinked rapidly, awareness returning to her eyes. She looked down at her exposed chest, gasped, and quickly crossed her arms to cover herself, a deep blush spreading across her face and neck.

"Oh my god," she squeaked, quickly bending to retrieve her bra and shirt, fumbling with them as she tried to redress. "That was... weird!"

I felt a complicated mix of emotions: guilt at having pushed her further than I initially intended, arousal at the sight of her body, and a strange sense of power that I hadn't fully indulged in long time. I glanced around the room, still expecting some form of disapproval or at least discomfort despite knowing it would not come. Nothing I did to my toys would ever be deemed wrong, by anyone. Renee looked thoughtful, Claudia pleased, and Marcus… well, Marcus looked like he'd just seen the best show of his life, his mouth hanging slightly open. When it came to me, jealousy wasn't a part of the picture.

"Now that's more like it!" Renee cheered, clapping appreciatively as Zoe finally managed to get her shirt back on.

"Oliver's got some bite after all," Claudia added with a grin.

Zoe was still blushing furiously, but she managed a small laugh as she settled back onto the couch. "I can't believe I just did that," she muttered, though she didn't seem particularly upset.

"For what it's worth," Marcus said, clearing his throat, "that was incredibly hot."

"Aww, thanks, babe," Zoe replied, blowing him a kiss. He pretended to catch it, a goofy grin on his face.

"Alright, next round," Renee announced, leaning forward to spin the bottle again. It whirled across the coffee table before gradually slowing to point directly at her.

"Dare," she chirped, her eyes glinting with challenge.

Everyone else took their drinks, and I felt a rush of boldness wash over me. This was Renee, after all. We'd played our games before. She was made of sterner stuff than most, and I knew I couldn't break her easily. This wasn't some random woman I needed to be careful with.

"Renee," I said, keeping my voice steady and authoritative, "Sit on the floor at Claudia's feet for the rest of the game. Find yourself unable to hold her gaze. Whenever she looks at you, feel shy and compelled to bow your head."

Renee's eyes widened slightly, registering the command, then she smoothly slid from the couch to the floor, positioning herself at Claudia's feet with unexpected grace.

Claudia's face lit up with delight as she realized what was happening. Slowly, deliberately, she looked down at Renee, who immediately lowered her gaze, her confident posture melting into something more submissive. It was a startling transformation to see the normally dominant Renee unable to meet Claudia's eyes.

"Oh, I like this," Claudia purred, gently running her fingers through Renee's hair, causing her to duck her head even lower.

Zoe watched with fascination. "That's wild. It's like seeing a lion act like a kitten."

"The mighty fall," Marcus agreed, looking impressed.

Renee managed to reach out and spin the bottle again without looking up, and we all watched as it rotated before stopping once more on Zoe.

"Oh, come on!" she protested with a laugh. "Why me again?"

I didn't hesitate this time. The game was flowing, boundaries were being pushed, and I was feeling that familiar rush of power. I glanced at Renee, still submissively positioned at Claudia's feet, then back to Zoe.

"Zoe," I said, my voice carrying that note of command, "Believe you're Renee's loving girlfriend and that you really, really want to make out with her right now. Passionately. Then snap out of it after thirty seconds."

There was that moment of consideration again, slightly longer this time, before Zoe's expression shifted. Her eyes softened as she looked at Renee, a smile spreading across her face that was full of affection and desire.

"Baby," she said softly, moving from her seat to kneel in front of Renee. "Come here."

Renee looked genuinely surprised, her eyes widening as Zoe cupped her face. Then Zoe leaned in and kissed her, not a tentative peck but a full, passionate kiss that started slow and quickly deepened. Renee responded immediately, her arms wrapping around Zoe's waist with a small, muffled moan.

Zoe's hands tangled in Renee's hair, pulling her closer as their kiss intensified. There was nothing performative about it. It was raw, intimate, and incredibly erotic to watch. Marcus was openly staring, his mouth slightly open, while Claudia looked on with a curious mixture of arousal and pride.

After thirty seconds, on the dot, Zoe pulled back, blinking rapidly as awareness returned. "Oh my god," she gasped, scrambling backward. "I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me!"

Renee looked dazed, touching her lips with her fingers. "Don't apologize," she said, her voice slightly husky. "That was… quite nice."

Claudia pouted dramatically. "Hey, how come she gets to make out with Zoe? I'm feeling very left out here."

"Oh please," Marcus chimed in, finally relaxing a bit. "You and Zoe made out plenty of times back when Oliver was still dicking around with his ownership. Remember that DnD night at our place?"

I burst out laughing at the memory of the two of them kissing, exchanging my cum like it was a delicacy. "That was something..."

The bottle spun again, and this time it landed squarely on Marcus. His smile immediately faded, replaced by apprehension.

"Truth or dare?" Claudia asked.

"Dare," he said after a moment's hesitation, his voice cracking slightly.

"No one wants to go for truth, huh?" Renee remarked from her position on the floor.

Marcus shrugged, trying to appear casual despite his obvious nervousness. "And be **** to spill my darkest secrets? No thanks."

"Like you have any..." Zoe laughed. "You're the most transparent person I know."

"That's because I'm good at hiding my true nature," Marcus replied with a shaky laugh before turning back to me.

I found myself uncertain. What could I make him do? I wasn't particularly interested in seeing him do anything with Claudia—the thought actually made me feel a twinge of jealousy, which I immediately felt bad about. And I wasn't especially eager to see him interact with Renee either. Tonight, these two women were mine to enjoy.

My eyes drifted to Zoe as I considered my options.

"Come on, Oliver," Claudia scolded, noticing my hesitation. "Do something daring!"

I shot her a look, then turned back to Marcus. "Marcus, I command you to obey the next three commands Renee gives you, as if they came from me."

Claudia rolled her eyes. "You're just handing it off because you're scared."

"I'm not scared," I snapped, more harshly than I intended. "I just don't know what I want him to do, okay?"

Claudia's face softened immediately. "I'm sorry," she said, touching my arm gently. "I guess I've had a bit too much to drink and got carried away. I didn't mean to pressure you."

Renee, meanwhile, looked delighted. "Thank you for your trust, Owner," she said, her eyes fixed on Marcus. "Now, Marcus, stand up."

Marcus immediately rose to his feet, looking slightly panicked as his body obeyed without his conscious decision. "Whoa, that's weird," he muttered, staring down at his legs as if they'd betrayed him.

"Good," Renee purred. "Now take off your shirt."

Marcus hesitated, his hands moving to the hem of his shirt before stopping. "I, uh, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with—"

"It's just your shirt," Renee coaxed. "Nothing Zoe hasn't seen before."

Slowly, reluctantly, Marcus pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a lean, toned torso. He crossed his arms over his chest self-consciously.

"And now," Renee said, her voice dropping lower, "take off your pants."

This time, Marcus's hands didn't move at all. He stood frozen, his face a mask of discomfort. "I don't… I can't…"

Zoe stood up immediately, moving to his side. "I think maybe we should stop here," she said firmly, looking around at all of us. "It's getting late, and we're pretty drunk."

"Yeah," Marcus agreed quickly, relief evident in his voice as he reached for his discarded shirt. "We should probably head home."

Renee's dominant expression faded, replaced by genuine concern. "I'm sorry," she said, still sitting at Claudia's feet. "That might have been a bit too much. I got carried away." She seemed to try to stand up, but remained rooted in place.

"We all did," Claudia added, looking contrite. "Are you guys okay?"

"We're fine," Zoe assured her, though her arm remained protectively around Marcus's waist. "This was fun, really. Just… maybe a little intense for our first time playing these kinds of games."

"We'll call an Uber," Marcus said, fully dressed again and looking more composed. "Thanks for inviting us. It was… educational."

Claudia, Marcus, Zoe and I exchanged hugs and goodbyes at the door, with promises to meet up again soon, perhaps for something more conventional like dinner or a movie. As the door closed behind them, we exchanged glances, Renee still looking down sheepishly from her position on the floor.

Claudia and I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the sight.

"Well," Claudia said, a wicked grin spreading across her face as she looked from me to Renee, "now that the vanilla crew is gone, I think it's time for the real fun to begin."

Hey there! This was chapter 4 of 4 Billion Toys 2. I'll be posting chapters here regularly, but if you want early access to the next chapters, feel free to support me on Patreon!

In the meantime, I'd be happy to hear your feedback and ideas for where to push the story. I've got the main storylines established already, but I've got more than enough room for suggestions ;)