“Guess that’s my cue to go. It was lovely talking to you all tonight. Good luck with your talk tomorrow, Brennan!”
The man just to her right flashes her an affectionate smile. “Thank you, Millie. I hope to see you there.”
Millie.That’s what her friends call her, and the thought of her getting so familiar with this strange man so quickly has the temper I’m trying so valiantly to hold in check snapping at its leash. It’s all I can do not to snarl at the man as I settle my hand at the small of Camilla’s back, urging her forward. She follows my lead without argument, her bright smile remaining in place as we make our way through the lobby to the bank of elevators waiting to whisk us up to our room.
But beneath my hand, she’s practically vibrating, her spine stiff despite her otherwise outwardly calm appearance. Another time, I might be impressed by her restraint. Right now, however, I’m far more focused on how I’m going to punish the defiant little brat than her silence.
Silence that lasts right up until I close the hotel room door behind us. The second it clicks into place, she whirls on me, fury turning the blue of her eyes to thunderclouds as she jabs a finger into my chest.
“What thefuckis wrong with you?”
My own temper rises up, threatening to boil over, but I deliberately hold it back. “You are already in enough trouble right now, little girl. Do you really think swearing at me is a wise choice?”
“I think it’s the only choice when you interrupt my perfectly lovely evening for no goddamn reason!”
“No reason?” Now I do let some of my anger come through, let it coat my words with ice. And I’m rewarded with the widening of her eyes as she takes a step backward, her hands moving behind her as if she might actually be able to protect her bottom from the punishment she so richly deserves. “Tell me, Camilla. What rule did I give you about drinking alcohol while we are at this conference?”
The color drains from her face as the realization lands. “It-it would have been rude to refuse.”
“I see. So being polite to a complete stranger is more important than following my rules?”
God help her if she says yes. If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll show remorse for her actions rather than double down.
I almost hope she says yes, just so I have a reason to hurt her even more than I already have planned.
Something flickers in her eyes and if I didn’t know any better I could swear it was longing. But then she jerks her chin up and she’s all fire and defiance again. “Yes. Because it's a stupid fucking rule and I shouldn’t even have to follow your rules at all since we’re not on the island. You can’t keep treating me like a Little girl, Donovan!”
“I can, and I will. You are still my employee, until the end of this conference, and per your employment contract you have agreed to live as a Little girl and be subjected to my rules whenever you are working. So yes, Icantreat you like a Little girl, Camilla. And I will continue to do so until the end of your notice.”
“There’s no way that contract is legally binding,” she grumbles, her gaze shifting to the side so she’s no longer looking me in the eye.
That will never do.
Gripping her chin, I force her gaze back to me. “Legally binding or not, those are the terms you agreed to. And if you want your severance pay, you will fulfill the negotiated terms of your notice.”
Fury blazes in her eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I absolutely would, my sweet little Camilla. Either you follow my rules, submit to my discipline as you have since your very first day in my office, or you forfeit every last penny of your severance.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I am, yes. But you have a decision to make. What’s it going to be, Ms. Hamilton? Are you going to fulfill your contract? Or would you rather tell me to fuck off and go live your best Big girl life significantly poorer?”
She doesn’t actually have a choice, of course. If she tells me to fuck off, if she refuses to work out her notice as previously agreed, I will simply take her back to the island a couple days early. No matter what she chooses right now, she will be mine at the end of it.
But I’m curious to see which option she chooses. And if I’m being completely honest with myself, some deep, dark part of me wants to watch her break. To see that awareness in her eyes as she realizes how well and truly trapped she is.
So I wait, still holding her chin between my fingers, forcing her gaze up to mine as I watch the struggle play out in her eyes. And I’m rewarded with that perfect moment when the struggle ends and my will triumphs over hers.
“Fine. For the rest of the conference, I’ll follow your stupid rules.”
“Good girl.” I deliberately lower my voice so the praise comes out as a soft purr that has her pupils darkening in response. “Arms up. Time to get that Big girl dress off you so I can remind you what averyLittle girl you really are.”
Chapter Five
Millie
Even knowing how much trouble I’m in, need flares between my thighs at Donovan’s words. Which isn’t an entirely new feeling, but it’s one I haven’t dealt with in months. Over time, his cruelty snuffed out anything I could have felt for him that even resembled desire.
