“Oh, you don’t understand.” She sighed. “But I know you like me curvy, so I’m willing to make the sacrifice and gain some weight.” She cocked her head at me hopefully. “As long as I can keep using the Matter Synthesizer?”
“You may, as long as you promise only to use it when I’m here to supervise and make certain you’re in no danger,” I said firmly. “I won’t compromise on that, little one,” I added, when she started to protest. “I have no idea how a being from such a primitive world has a brain complex enough to interface with the Matter Synthesizer, but I’mthroughtaking any kind of risks with you. Do you understand?”
My voice had dropped to a growl and little one got a chastened look on her pretty face.
“Yes, Master,” she murmured and took another nibble of her pancake. “And thank you for letting me try in the first place.”
I shook my head.
“I really don’t know why I did. You’re much too persuasive for your own good, little one.”
She gave me a saucy little smile.
“Does that mean you think I’m a ‘naughty’ pet who needs more training?”
I felt my cock stir in my sleep trousers, getting hard at the way she was looking at me. But I would not be deterred from what needed to happen.
“Maybe later,” I said shortly. “For now, finish your food and then we’ll talk about your punishment.”
“My…er…punishment? I mean, does it have to be today?” Little one had gone pale.
“Wouldn’t you rather get it over with?” I asked reasonably. “So we can go back to our usual training routine?”
“Iguessso,” she whispered, but I noticed she hadn’t eaten any more of the pancake cylinder in her hand.
I felt a surge of sympathy for her—I well remembered what it was like to be punished by my own father when I was a boy. But she could not be allowed to risk herself again, the way she had on O’nagga Nine.
“All right,” little one said, her voice sounding firmer and more certain.
I saw that her lovely face had hardened into a mask of determination. “How about we get it over now?” she asked, lifting her chin defiantly.
I frowned.
“Don’t you want to finish your food?”
“I’ve lost my appetite.” She put down the half-eaten cylinder, which promptly unrolled on the golden plate. “I’d rather get it over with—like you said.”
“Well…” I hesitated but I knew as well as she did that this had to happen before we could get back to any semblance of normality. “All right,” I said at last. “I’m going into the living area. Come join me when you’re ready.”
Then I rose and left her sitting there, probably wondering what was going to become of her.
FORTY
ELLI
What’s going to happen to me? What is Sir going to do? Will it hurt much? Will it be a physical punishment or something mental—he promised he wouldn’t use his Mind Powers on me, though. So what can it be?
My stomach was a nervous ball of anxiety as the questions kept circling my brain. I had known that my actions on O’nagga Nine would have consequences but I hadn’t realized how anxious I would be when the time came to face them. As I made my way to the living room area, dragging my feet reluctantly with every step, I felt like a little kid called to the Principal’s office.
But it was better to get this over with, I told myself. Better by far than to have it hanging over my head like a dark cloud.
I hoped so, anyway.
When I got to the living area, Sir was already sitting on the couch. His long legs were open and when he motioned to me, I went to stand between them.
“Little one,” he said, his voice rumbling with warning. “Do you know why I’m going to punish you?”
“Yes, Sir.” I hung my head, unable to look into the depths of his full-black eyes.