I was quiet, and he didn’t say anything. Relief nearly had me collapsing, immediately followed by my stomach roiling. I wanted to go throw myself at his feet and beg him to accept my apology, but at the same time these were my friends. This was my life. He needed to accept that, too.
“Get in, Lamb. Now.”
I shivered at that infuriated tone and did as Sir said. It hurt that he didn’t open my door for me.
19
Jayce
The trip back to my place was quiet, a foreboding silence that was comfortable for me, but not for River, at least not if the looks he kept stealing in my direction said anything. He was a confident man, snarky when he felt vulnerable, but right now he knew to keep his mouth shut.
The perfect little sub.
My sub.
We’d been so busy with figuring out who was running the trafficking ring through New Gothenburg that we hadn’t spent the time playing and exploring. I realized that while I’d given him directions and acted as his Sir, I’d never taken the opportunity to punish him when he needed it. Like now. But this time he was going to get what he deserved for his actions. I’d promised to spank his arse, and I was going to do just that.
The closer we got to my house, the more antsy he became. His knee bounced and he peeked another glance in my direction, mouth twisted in uncertainty. “Sir—”
“Don’t speak,” I said bluntly, gripping at the steering wheel tightly. “Do not speak until I’ve given you permission.”
River’s eyes widened and he swallowed, then he nodded before he stared through the windshield. He’d brought his knees closer together and inhaled deeply, his fingers drumming against his thigh like hereallywanted to say something but knew better than to open his mouth now that I’d given him the direct order.
I pulled the truck into the driveway and parked out front. Opening my door, I slid out, and like a good sub, River didn’t move until I was around his side, yanking his door open and leaning over to unclip his seat belt. He held his breath and released it when I offered my hand to him to help him out. Not that he needed the assistance. I slammed the door closed and he flinched. We walked up the front steps, and I unlocked the door, moving into the darkness of the hallway. I kicked off my shoes, taking my time to loosen my tie before I flicked on the light, the burst of brightness making me blink at the sudden stars that appeared in my eyes.
River stood in the threshold, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, waiting for orders, and as much as I enjoyed him talking, I also loved his quiet—his submission.
“Come in and close the door behind you,” I ordered, rolling the kinks out of my shoulders as I walked through the living room and on toward the kitchen. I shucked off my jacket and then threw it over one of the dining chairs when I reached the table. With a sigh, I fell onto the seat. My body ached, but more than anything, I was still angry at River for walking away from me, with a King like Tim Wilson no less. I’d heard about him, of course, everyone at the station had. He was as infamous as King himself.
River followed me into the dining room, his breathing shallow, as though he was scared to take a deep breath since I never gave him permission. I stared up at him, at his hair that was now mussed and his deep blue eyes, rimmed darker around the edges. He was perfect, gorgeous, and I didn’t think he realized how many men he could find who would happily be his Dom. I couldn’t give this up. I wanted River in more ways than he probably knew.
“Take off my tie,” I said, keeping my voice deep. I didn’t have to strain my British accent; I knew it came out naturally when he shivered and his eyes darkened. He shifted closer, slowly, and grabbed the knot of my tie, working it completely loose before taking it off over my head. I snatched it from his hand. “Now turn around, take off your jacket, and put your hands behind your back.”
His breath caught but he did what I told him. He slid off his jacket and rested it on the table, leaving him in his white dress shirt and black pants, his tie a gold to match his glasses. He put his hands behind his back and they rested above his arse.
Grabbing his hands, I used my tie to secure his wrists. A few loops and tugs and his hands were tightly held together with no way of escape. He gasped as I worked, and when I was finished he glanced over his shoulder at me, mouth parted like he wanted to say something.
“You can speak.”
“How did you do that?” he whispered, his voice coming out more of a soft puff of air rather than words.
“I’m a cop. I have to learn how to secure people with whatever I can find when I don’t have cuffs.” I grinned at him and patted his arse, enjoying the twitch in his cheeks at the movement. “You and I are going to have a chitchat about what you did tonight, Lamb, do you understand?”
He only nodded, but I raised my eyebrows. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good. Come with me.” I grabbed his right arm, just above his tied wrists, and guided him through the kitchen and out to the family room. I stopped in the middle of the room and worked at his belt until it was unbuckled before I yanked it out of the loops and threw it to the floor. I undid the button of his pants next and then sat on the couch and brought him with me. He landed on the cushion, but I dragged him roughly over my lap so his crotch sat comfortably against mine, his chest on the other side of my legs.
He gasped. “Sir?”
“I’m going to give you that spanking I kept promising. This time, you deserve it. Do you know why?” I yanked at his pants, and they slid down his arse and to his thighs. His underwear were next, and I pushed them down just far enough that his bare arsecheeks flashed me, teasing, and I licked my lips.
“Because I left with Undertaker, Sir,” River gasped out, glancing at me with crooked glasses. I reached over and gently took them off his face, folding the arms in before settling them on the cushion beside me.
“No, Lamb, that’s not the full reason, though it’s part. Try again.”
He shivered and closed his eyes. “Because I disobeyed you.”
“You did that, yes, and I’m not happy about it. But no again, that’s not the full reason. You didn’t try to understand my point of view, Lamb. You didn’t want a discussion. Instead you acted like the brat that you always claim you’re toooldto be.”
