With my hand cupping her jaw, I wait for her to look at me with glassy eyes on the verge of tears. “No, my songbird. All you are… is mine.”
“Yes,” she says simply. The acknowledgement giving me a headier rush than I’ve ever felt.
My head nods on its own. “I didn’t think you’d dare to be so bold while I was gone.”
“I’m sorry.” Fear traces her whisper.
“I didn’t want to punish you tonight of all nights,” I tell her, letting my fingers run along the necklace she wears, “I had different plans in mind.” My dick is already hard as I consider what to do with her. “But you tried to leave me and there’s no greater sin than that.”
“Please,” she whimpers as I shush her. “I don’t want to go back.” She doesn’t cower from my touch; she welcomes it as I rest a hand on her bare shoulder, my fingers skimming under the fabric of her shirt. Her mesmerizing hazel eyes stare into mine and beg me for mercy.
“Didn’t I tell you your next offense would lead to the cell?” I remind her with a question and her face crumples. She inches toward me, both of her hands on my thighs as she begs me, “Please.” Her fingers slip across the expensive fabric of my pants as she crawls between my legs, begging me for forgiveness. How I’ve dreamed of her like this. Just like this.
“What would you do to stay with me?” I ask her, wanting to give her the mercy she begs for. I’ve never felt it so strongly before.
Her chest rises and falls heavily. “Anything,” she answers me quickly with desperation.
“Not to stay out of the cell, but to stay in my bed. There is a difference, Aria.”
Her expression falls and she struggles to voice what she’s thinking. Dread seeps into my gut as she fails to answer me, but with that soft voice of hers, it leaves me at once.
Her fingers lace through the necklace as she says, “It’s only when you’re gone that I remember.”
“What do you mean?”
Her voice wavers as she tries to explain. “I don’t want you to leave me. It’s harder for me when you do.”
“I asked you what you would do–”
“And I said anything,” she cuts me off and I can feel my brow pinch together as I look over every inch of her expression to gauge her sincerity. “When you’re with me, I know that I can’t leave, and I don’t want to even try. But when you’re gone… it’s harder. So, I don’t want to leave you. I don’t want you to leave me.”
She’s a siren. I see it so clearly. It’s her beauty, her broken strength, her denial, and her acceptance. It all calls to me and I will do anything I can to wrap my grip tighter around my songbird while she sings beautiful lullabies.
“Tomorrow night, you’ll come to dinner with me. Kneeling beside me. You will obey. You will sit beside me, proud to be mine.” She nods her head as if she’s accepting a punishment, but this is so much more than that. “You’ll do as I say. Every fucking thing I tell you to do.” I emphasize each word, my finger running up and down her throat. “In front of my family and guests, you will show them how willing you are to obey me.”
“Yes, Carter.”
The way her breathing catches and she swallows the eagerness of accepting the punishment, almost makes me feel guilty for what I say next. Almost. “And tonight, you will sleep in the cell for daring to take advantage of the freedom I’ve given you.”
“Yes, Carter,” she replies although her words crack and her eyes close in agony. Her thick lashes flutter, as she opens her eyes again and she stares deeply into my own, waiting for more. The deep well of loneliness is already settling into her gaze. The look of sadness is something I’ve seen before, but in her eyes, it looks so beautiful.
“You’ll stay there until I feel you’ve learned your lesson.”
She nods and wipes the tear from under her right eye, but dutifully answers, “Yes, Carter.”
My own breathing quickens at the thought of having her to myself before sending her away. “As for right now, you’ll lie across my lap, feeling my hard cock dig into your belly as I punish you, spanking your bare ass and playing with your cunt until I feel you’ve paid enough for the offense of trying to leave me.”
“I will,” she says softly and raises her head to meet my gaze. When her eyes meet mine, she nods in agreement. “I will,” she repeats breathlessly.
The command falls instantly from me. “Tell me that your cunt is mine to play with.”
“My cunt is yours to play with.” And her obedience falls from her lips just the same.