I groan as he massages life back into my legs.
“Kade,” I whisper in a soft voice.
He removes the cuffs and then the chain around my stomach. And again he massages my arms and shoulders.
I cry silently with relief as he lifts me into his arms and wraps a blanket around me. Finally, he slowly removes the blindfold and I bury my head into his chest.
“Shh, it’s alright, angel. It’s over.”
He whispers into my hair and kisses my forehead as he carries me to the bedroom.
The last thing I remember before I pass out is him laying me gently on the bed and pulling my back against his chest.
He plants a small kiss on my neck. “It’s alright, angel. I’ve got you.”
Kade
Last night was too much. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t get James out of my head. I fucking killed him. I shot him in cold blood, for fuck's sake. I should be more focused on the case. I should be more invested. But something about this house, something about her, is keeping me from wanting this to end.
It’s wrong. It’s fucked up. But somehow my focus has switched. I close my eyes and try to calm myself. This had to happen. I have to play the part. And I am. I’m playing it damn well.
After I left her asleep last night, I went back downstairs. I thought I handled it well, and I was right. They’re impressed more than anything else. Even Olivia is playing the part perfectly. She doesn’t even know it.
She’s doing so well, I think as the hot water from the shower flows down my body. She’s so fucking perfect. They saw her fear and anxiety and how she obeyed me regardless. And now she’s the perfect example of obedience. Well, other than her little outburst. I hope she got that shit out of her system.
I knew it would happen. I don’t blame her in the least. That’s why I chose last night to test her when I knew it would only be a few people. Close friends. Except for William. I could have done without him being there.
I know she’s on edge. She’s feeling trapped and uneasy. She’s practically walking on eggshells every time I bring her outside the bedroom. She doesn’t trust anyone else, but she sure as fuck trusts me. She just needs to let go and realize she doesn’t have to think about it so hard.
I’ll take care of her. All she needs to do is trust me. And she’s so close.
My heart pumps faster in my chest and my dick twitches as the water runs down my body. Punishing her was harder than I thought. I wanted to do so much more than deprive her. Every moan and twist of her body made me want to pound her tight pussy. But I haven’t taken it that far yet. I need to. They need to see it.
It’s much harder to resist her when she’s fully submitting to me. And she did that last night. Fuck, just the memory of it has my dick at full attention.
* * *
I open my eyes as I hear the door creak open and a breeze disturb the comforting heat around me. It closes quickly, and her bare feet patter against the floor.
“Angel?” My brows raise as I see her slowly walk toward the shower. I move the glass door open and watch as she lowers herself into the tiled floor. She’s completely naked. I took off her clothes last night and her collar. Everything needed to be cleaned after her punishment.
She looks so fragile and delicate.
My heart slows in my chest. This is new. It must have taken a lot for her to approach me. She's learning that she doesn't need to wait in order to things that would please me. That's a good sign. I wait for her to speak.
“Kade, I--” She clears her throat before looking up at me with wide eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry you were punished.” I keep my voice even and hard. I could see it in her eyes before I took her downstairs. She wasn’t sorry she tried to get away. She was sorry it didn’t work. I’m not sure she’d do it again though. I’m not positive either way, and that’s a problem.
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry,” she barely speaks; her voice is choked. Her small whimper breaks my heart. The need to ease her worries is strong. She needs me, almost as much as I need her.
“It’s over now, angel.”
“Can I--” her voice cuts off as her eyes dart to the ground then back up to mine. “Can I come in with you?” she asks with a small voice. She looks nervous and vulnerable.
This is the first time she’s initiated any interaction with me. I need to make sure I reward this behavior. She needs the comfort, too. She needs to know I’m not angry with her, and that she’s completely forgiven. And she is. There's nothing that truly needs to be forgiven. I don’t want her to worry. That would be detrimental for both of us.
I answer her question with a simple nod. “Come.”
