With a final look at her, seeing her dark hair curtaining her face, he turned away. He fought the urge to stay right there with her while he entered the living room, finding it empty of last night’s guests, as he expected. Being so late in the morning, Elliott assumed most had gone home, or possibly were in another hotel room.
Another knock sounded at the door before he opened it. The young server greeted him with a smile. “Your breakfast, sir.”
“Please come in,” Elliott replied quietly, so as not to wake Mary. Once the server pushed the cart into the room, Elliott grabbed his wallet from the back pocket of his slacks and took out a bill, then handed it to the waiter. The young man looked at the money with obvious gratitude. “Have a wonderful day, sir.” He turned on his heels and shut the door behind him.
Elliott took the lid off the tray, finding everything he had ordered—all types of berries and warmed croissants, along with two fresh cups of coffee. He placed the cover on the piano, then pushed the cart into the bedroom and noticed Mary awake and smiling at him.
“Good morning,” he said, settling the cart next to the bed.
“Morning,” she said, a little groggily. “I slept awhile, didn’t I.”
He gazed over her face, seeing that the makeup she had worn was smudged under her eyes and her hair was disheveled. He couldn’t hold back his smile, he liked her a little messy. “A good twelve hours, I would say.”
“Wow.” She sat up, her corset still firmly in place. “I haven’t done that in years.” Her smile came quick and full of wit. “Must have had something to do with a Dom, a flogger, and an orgasm.”
He chuckled. Though what he liked most was that she hadn’t attempted to fix her hair or makeup, either. She was okay with herself, done up or messy. That confidence was attractive. “Lovely compliments from a pretty mouth.” He winked at her pinkened cheeks. “Are you hungry?”
She nodded.
“How do you take your coffee?”
“One sugar.”
“Strong, but a little sweet,” he murmured, adding the sugar to her mug. “Much like yourself, darlin’.” He glanced up, noted her blush deepening, and his returning smile was instant.
She accepted the mug from him, took a sip, and smiled. “Perfect. Thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome.” He joined her on the bed and reached for one of the strawberries, then placed it in front of her mouth. “Open up, darlin’.” She frowned at him, but her hesitation didn’t deter him.
Last night she had told him she had been the one to take care of many people, always caring for others before herself. Elliott thought that quite possibly Mary was the one who needed to be taken care of. Maybe she forgot how good it felt to be cared for.
How, as a Dom, he enjoyed pampering a woman in his care. That together they could take care of each other. He assumed that Mary had gotten accustomed to becoming second, and even more so, not thinking it a requirement that she should be put first.
Something he thought needed to change now.
After a long play-for-power moment blazed between them, she finally took a bite of the strawberry. She also didn’t take her eyes off him as she chewed. Elliott regarded her, realizing how different Mary was than he’d first assumed.
He had figured he would be playing with an experienced submissive. While Mary did have experience and showed signs of that, it was almost as if he were playing with someone new to the lifestyle. She had to learn to trust all over again, and within that trust, she would find peace to offer her submission.
He enjoyed the challenge she offered. In fact, he found himself wanting to keep her with him for as long as she’d allow. Something about her being with him felt great. Really great.
Once she swallowed, he asked, “Good?”
“Delicious,” she replied with a soft smile.
He finished the strawberry and then grabbed the croissant, breaking a piece off and feeding it to her. This time she didn’t pause, and ate the croissant without fuss. When she stopped chewing, she took a sip of her coffee, and he asked, “Did you have any plans for today?”
She lowered her mug to her lap. “No.” Then her eyes widened, as she must’ve realized she answered too quickly.
“I’m glad.” He smirked. “No plans means that you have no reason not to spend the remainder of the weekend with me.”
She hesitated, her brows furrowed. “You do realize that I never agreed to a weekend play party.”
“Yes, I do,” he said, picking up a raspberry and feeding her. “But you did agree to stay with me until I released you.” He mirrored her pause, holding her firm stare. “Did you forget agreeing to that?”
“No, I remember,” she replied, chewing. “But—”
He leaned forward and pressed his finger against her lips. “Mary, for once let someone take care of you. Just enjoy this. I’m not asking for anything other than for you to stay with me and do exactly what we are doing now.”