"Tut, tut, tut, pretty flower. Did I tell you, you could have a taste?" The master asked me. "Did I give you permission to clean your hand?"
I quickly looked up at him, my long forgotten nerves and fear racing to the forefront again.
Oh shit. I'd fucked up.
Again.
"No, sir," I responded shamefully.
"That's right, Jolie. If you'd only asked, I would have granted you the permission to clean your handandto clean me up. But now I cannot. Icannotreward unacceptable behaviour. Do you understand?"
Shame and disappointment in myself filled me, and I looked down at my feet, working hard to keep the tears at bay. I would not give in to them, especially not when it was my own fault.
I'd forgotten what this was about.
I wasn't here for a romp in bed or to experience what it was like to have sex with a monster.
I was an employee.
One with a very specific set of instructions and a job to do.
"I'm sorry, Master," I whispered, my voice small. "I forgot myself."
A long exhale left him, but I didn't dare look up. My hands trembled at my sides, still slick, and tingling as if I remembered the feel of him in my hand.
For a moment, there was only silence.
And then: "Clean yourself," he said, his tone no longer scolding, but not gentle either. "The bowl on the table, not your tongue."
I reached blindly for it, at first cleaning off the last of his essence and then wetting the cloth so I could dab at my apron, my neck, my uniform.
And the entire time, I couldfeelhis eyes on me.
When I finally finished, I clutched the cloth in both hands, twisting it hard to keep them from shaking. "Is... is there anything else you require?"
A single finger slid under my chin and tilted my face up. "You did well," he said, surprising me. "Very well, for a first attempt."
My breath hitched. The praise did something to me.
"But you need to learn control, my pretty flower. Obedience. Discipline. Without it, this will not work." His eyes burned gold in the dim light. "Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master." This time there was no trace of my previous fear or nerves.
I had done well!
"Good," he responded. "Your duties resume at dawn. You will report to my room before the household wakes."
I nodded in response, hoping the small gesture didn't give away my eagerness.
"You may go now," he said softly. "Beatrice will see that your uniform is properly laundered, but you should have plenty more to keep you until then."
I nodded, stepping back toward the door, but before I slipped out something compelled me to pause with my hand on the frame. "Master?"
He raised a brow but made no other move to acknowledge me.
"I won't disappoint you again."
A low rumble came from him. "See that you don't, my pretty flower."
