"Really?" Juno asks, her tone tinged with a dash of hope so visceral it does strange things to my chest. I push the sensation away. It’s not like she’s a captive. She agreed to this, unreservedly, and without coercion.
I nod, studying her reaction carefully. "You've been here over a week and proven yourself trustworthy so far. I think we can relax things a bit."
Her eyes light up at the prospect, and I feel that odd twinge again. Am I getting in too deep here?
She takes a step towards me, then hesitates. I can see the conflict playing out on her face - gratitude warring with suspicion. It's fascinating to observe.
"Thank you," she says, her hand fluttering. "I... I appreciate it."
I wave dismissively, as if it's no big deal. But inside, my mind is racing. Will giving her too much freedom make her believe she has some control?
And if so, why do I feel indulgent about it? It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
But then there was chess and movies and talking about anything and everything. It wasn't supposed to be like that either.
She was supposed to be my willing sex toy for twenty-one days. I’m not supposed to care about whether she’s bored or feeling stir crazy from being cooped up in my penthouse. It’s a damn nice place. There’s a gym and a pool with a steam room, a sauna, and a hot tub… although they’re on a different floor, and I haven’t mentioned them to her. Maybe I should have led withthat. But it’s too late now. I can’t go back on my word. Well, I absolutely could, but I don’t want to dwell on the reasons why I don’t want to.
"We'll start small," I tell her, instead, wanting to curb my stupid offer. "A trip to the corner store, and you’ll be no more than thirty minutes. A minute extra, and you’ll be punished.”
She tenses, her hand flying to her butt, and I fight a cringe. Yeah, that caning on her first day was way too much for a neophyte.
I try to shake off the unexpected guilt, but the truth is, I've softened since getting to know her better. I don't look at her and see a sex slave anymore.
"I'll give you a list of what we need and some cash. Your purse stays here.”
Juno nods eagerly, her eyes still shining, and I turn away, unable to look at her for a moment. What am I doing? This isn't part of the plan. But I can't deny the thrill that runs through me at the thought of her returning voluntarily, choosing to come back to me.
What the fuck am I saying. She’s being paid to be here. Of course she’s going to come back.
"When can I go?" she asks, her voice ringing with far too much excitement for such a small thing.
I glance at my wristwatch. "Now, if you'd like. But remember, thirty minutes. Not a second more."
She's already heading for the door, as I remove a few notes from my wallet, but then she stops suddenly. "I... I’m not exactly dressed for this."
Obviously not. Despite the unexpected camaraderie, I've still kept her in the obscene maid uniform, barefoot, and sans underwear, another way to reinforce my fantasy and her mindset. Now I have to make a decision.
It’s not that hard. No way I’m letting her out on the street in that outfit, and her jacket won’t cover it.
For fucks sake, why did I think this was a good idea? I should have thought it through before I opened my big mouth. But that yearning in her eyes…
Fuck!
“You may wear the clothing you arrived in for the duration of your outing, but that's all.”
I watch the relief bloom on Juno's face at my words and when she rushes to the bedroom to change, I'm left alone with my doubts. What the fuck am I doing?
But as I hear her moving around, humming happily to herself, I can't bring myself to regret it.
When she emerges again, dressed in her own clothes, I can't believe how different she looks. Gone is the submissive maid who bends to my will and allows me to debauch and degrade her however I wish, and in her place is a savvy young woman eager for a small taste of freedom. It's... unsettling.
"Remember, thirty minutes," I remind her, handing over the cash and a hastily scribbled list. Our fingers brush, and I feel an unexpected jolt, which makes no sense because I touch her all the time in far more intimate ways.
Juno nods, practically bouncing on her toes. "I won't let you down, I promise," she says, and I'm not sure how to respond to the earnestness in her voice.
As she leaves, I move to the window, watching as she exits the building and steps onto the busy street. She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath of fresh air, positively drinking it in, even though it’s likely just exhaust fumes and over-fried onions from a street vendor, before setting off with purpose.
I check the time and stand there long after she disappears from view, my mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. I tell myself I'm just making sure she follows through, but deep down I knowit's more than that. I'm invested now, in a way I never intended to be.
