I grasped her hand and pulled her upright. “Go brush your teeth and wash your face.”
She grumbled as I tugged her to her feet, but the sound quickly morphed into a yelp when I swatted her ass. “Go on.”
She trudged into the bathroom, and for a few minutes, the sound of water running drifted through the closed door.
She paused when she re-entered the bedroom. “You got a new razor,” she remarked, puzzled.
I fixed her with a level stare. “And you didn’t break it apart and attempt to cut my throat. I don’t need to worry about you trying that again, do I?”
She dropped her eyes and shifted on her feet, looking like a child caught doing something she shouldn’t. “No,” she replied, her voice small.
“Smart girl,” I said with satisfaction. “Come over here.”
I pulled back the covers, gesturing for her to get in.
She didn’t move toward me.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Putting you to bed.”
Her lips tugged down at the corners. “I’m not a little girl. I don’t need you to tuck me in.”
My small smile met her slight frown. “Must you be so difficult about everything? You seem to love contradicting me.” I patted the mattress. “Do you want a spanking before bed, or are you going to be a good girl for me?”
She huffed out a frustrated breath and closed the distance between us. “Only because I’m tired,” she said petulantly as she slipped beneath the sheets.
“If that’s what you need to tell yourself,” I allowed. “One way or another, you obeyed me, Samantha. That pleases me.”
She rolled onto her side, facing away from me. Her knees curled up to her chest again in a protective gesture. Undeterred, I pulled the covers over her, tucking her in. I lingered for a few minutes longer s
o I could stroke her hair, lulling her into relaxation. She softened, and her breathing turned deep and even as she fell into sleep.
Satisfied that exhaustion would keep her under, I stepped into my sweatpants and left the bedroom. I didn’t like the loss of her gentle heat, but I had work to do.
I could wait to fulfil my darker plans for her. I suspected she’d soon make a futile attempt to escape me.
I shoved aside thoughts of the punishment she had coming. Whenever she tried it, I’d paint her ass red. I’d finally get to see the marks of my whip on her pale flesh. Then, she’d learn what I was really capable of.
I almost regretted the prospect of taming the defiant streak out of her.
Almost.
The image of her kneeling at my feet and obeying my every command was far more enticing than her little shows of fire. Soon, her pretty eyes would glow with devotion, not defiance.
Chapter 7
Hours later, I returned to the bedroom. I’d indulged in a few games of online chess after finishing my work for the day, but I’d actually lost twice. It was a rare occurrence, but I’d been distracted by thoughts of my lovely captive sleeping in the next room.
I stripped and got into bed with her. She let out a little disgruntled groan when the mattress dipped. My first instinct was to pull her against my chest and pet her until she fell back into a deep sleep.
After holding her for a short while, I smiled into the darkness. If I woke her, she might try to sneak out while she thought I was sleeping. I wasn’t tired at all, despite the late hour. The prospect of taking her in hand kept my blood pumping hot and fast in my veins.
I closed my eyes and rolled away from her, jostling the mattress a little. She made another sound of sleepy irritation, so I pretended to snore softly to rouse her further.
I heard her breath catch, and I smothered another smile. My little pet was awake. Would she do something naughty?
It only took a minute for her to climb out of bed. I continued snoring, feigning sleep as I listened to her soft footfalls padding against the carpet. The soft snick of the latch disengaging when she opened the door should have been almost imperceptible, but my senses were heightened; a predator lying in wait for his prey.