“I’ve got work to do this morning, so we’re gonna table this conversation for now.”
“All right,” she says with an unhappy expression, then she pushes herself down in the bed and rests her head on the pillow.
“Zoe,” I say, working to hold onto my patience. “We don’t work in the house, and you’re not staying here alone. Get up and take a shower.”
She sits up suddenly, anger flashing in her eyes. “Look, Connor, I’m a performer. I don’t get up at the crack of dawn. I’m sorry you don’t want me left alone here, but I need more sleep. It’s here or in my own bed, and your men dragged me out of my place.”
“Are you for real?” I ask. “They got you out of a place someone was trying to break into. Unless you were expecting the guy in the hoodie?”
“No, but regardless, I’m safe in this house, right? There’s no reason I have to get up right now.”
My patience is wearing thin. Normally we’d have been in a hotel already and the business would’ve been sorted. The only reason I’m still in the house right now is because of her.
I remind myself that she doesn’t know how I live. I remind myself that she’s a beautiful twenty-one-year-old dancer who’s probably only ever had boyfriends who fell at her pretty feet. I remind myself that I’ve got all the power and need to be careful how I wield it where she’s concerned. Because what I really want to do is put a punishment plug in her bratty little asshole and spank her until she can’t sit for two days.
“I promise we’ll talk about everything later and we’ll come up with a schedule that works for you, but right now is not the time to fight or to try to negotiate. Just do what I’ve asked you to do.”
She flings the covers back dramatically and stalks into the bathroom. She curses and then announces, “I need my bag. There’s no conditioner in here. My hair will be like straw without it.”
I think about the collection of belts in my closet, then I look at the clock. I’m already going to be late. The lesson will have to wait.
I go downstairs and get her bag. I take the shampoo and conditioner in to her.
“Thank you,” she says in a tone that’s still surly.
I close the bathroom door and pack a small bag of my own, then I text Anvil that we’re running late.
Anvil’s acknowledgement is a question mark. He wants to know if I’m under siege and need reinforcements. If I did, my response would be a pre-chosen symbol letting him know what kind of man and fire power to bring. Instead I send the all clear symbol.
Trick’s response is on the money.I know she’s fine.Then a peach emoji.But... Then the emoji with a raised brow.
Exactly, I think, but don’t respond. If she weren’t a completely new submissive, I’d have spanked her in front of them to make amends.
She emerges from the bathroom in a puff of steam. She offers me a small smile. “All right. I’m almost human. But if you want me at my best, you’ll let me stop for a coffee on the way to wherever we’re going.”
“I’m going to wait for you downstairs.”
Her smile disappears. “My hair’s soaking wet, C. And it’s probably twenty degrees outside at this time of morning. I need to dry my hair at least partially.”
“You do whatever you want. I’m letting you know that I’m waiting, Trick’s waiting, Anvil’s waiting, and the rest of the organization’s waiting for orders. But take your time. You and I will sort things out between us later, during our appointment.”
A flush stains her cheeks and this time she darts into the bathroom with her hair dryer. “Just enough so I don’t get pneumonia,” she announces.
“I’ll be downstairs.”
* * *
Zoe
I really need coffee because without it I’ll get a caffeine withdrawal headache. But I also need a Xanax because C has barely spoken a word on the forty-five-minute drive to Boston. I had no idea we were going to the city.
The hotel lobby is stunning, and I spot a small café.
“C, I’m going to get a coffee.”
He catches my arm. “You’re going to stay right next to me until I say otherwise. I’ll have coffee brought up to you.”
We don’t even stop at the desk. Instead he leads me to a private area where a man in a very expensive suit rises from behind a desk. The suites have their own security man and their own elevator.
