“Lie down on the bed,” I say, loosening my black silk tie, leaving me in gray suit pants and a button-down that will both be on the floor in a matter of time.
Ella lies back on the bed, her body spread out before me, and I turn to my next task.
I tie her down slowly, like it’s the most important thing I’ve ever done. It is the most important thing I’ve ever done. Each new moment with her becomes the most important. All of them will build on each other until she’s whole again.
With her hands secured above her head, tied to the headboard, I put a spreader bar between her ankles. The clicks of the restraints resonate in the room. Fuck, she’s gorgeous.
My jailbird is completely exposed to me now. She’s completely vulnerable to me. Bound to the bed by my own hands. As I complete her bindings, I speak to her, adding one light kiss to her lips.
Otherwise, I don’t touch her. Only necessary touches that leave goosebumps in their wake.
I won’t touch her until we’ve discussed the rules and she acknowledges them and agrees. The kiss was the only exception.
“Rule number one, Ella.” Her eyes come to mine as she waits silently. “You will not leave my side unless I agree to it. Ever.”
I swallow thickly, knowing how extreme it is. Given what occurred, it is a requirement from here on out.
A second passes, her eyes on mine. She listens, she hears it … and ultimately, she agrees.
“Yes, sir.” She’s eager to please me. As a reward I slide my fingertips over her soft folds. Her back bows slightly and a soft murmur spills from her lips. She’s ready, slick for me, but not as ready as she will be when I’m finished. I stroke her clit with my thumb. A few seconds. That’s all. Reinforcing her obedience.
Her chest rises and falls with her heavy breaths. Standing beside the bed, I slowly unbutton my shirt. “What’s rule number two?” she whispers.
I reach into the side table, taking out a butt plug and the small bottle beside it. Applying adequate lube, I warm it for her. “Rule number two. No alcohol again. Ever. Unless I give it to you.”
Ella’s friends say she doesn’t have addiction issues. Damon agrees there’s a difference between misuse and addiction. Right now, she’s not allowed to use alcohol as a crutch, though. If she’s triggered while inebriated … she will spiral faster. I have to contain her.
The bed groans as I place my hand on it and lean to tower over her. I look deeply into Ella’s eyes. “Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” she answers without hesitation.
A moment passes as I move to the foot of the bed so I can do as I please. I angle her hips slightly, lifting the spreader bar and twisting it enough to give me access to what I want, and push the plug gently inside her. Ella gasps a little, her hips rocking back and forth. I rub a small circle over her clit as her reward.
“That’s my good girl,” I tell her.
My praise and small touches have Ella close already. I can see that in the trembling of her muscles. Part of me wants to let her come, but I pull away. Her hooded eyes snap to mine.
“There were boundaries you and James had, correct?”
She blinks, seemingly startled by the question. Perhaps by the mention of James. I don’t miss how the cords in her neck tighten as she swallows. “Yes,” she replies slowly.
“What are they?”
“I’m not sure I can remember them all.” She gives a small shake of her head as if she’s reluctant to even try.
“You know some of them, which brings me to rule number three. When you discover another trigger, you will confide in me immediately. You will run to me. You will cry in my arms. You will break for me and me alone. I share your pleasure, jailbird, and that means I also share your pain. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” she answers.
“Can you remember some of those boundaries, Ella?”
“No talking about our families.” She squirms uncomfortably on the bed.
I’m quick to rectify her discomfort, kissing along her curves. “Is there anything else?”
She shakes her head although I’m almost certain she’d prefer the pleasure. “Ella, what are the words you don’t want me to say?”
“Wild. Don’t call me wild or say anything like that. Or tame.” The request flows beautifully from her lips, without hesitation.
“Anything else?” I question and then kiss her breast.
“No. Just … that.”
“What about mentioning James?” I ask.
She hesitates, thinking it over. “I want to tell you about him.”
I smile against her lips before kissing her.
“That would make me very happy,” I confide in her. “Thank you for being such a good girl for me.”
I push my fingers into her. With even strokes she comes quickly. Ella clenches down on my fingers and cries out with her climax. Her moans are low and sweet as she struggles against her bindings. I keep her restrained with my knee pressed down on the spreader bar.