Not to mention that it would show my obvious frustration and that doesn’t work with her since she would know that I’m angry about her disregarding her lessons.
Anger isn’t the way to get to her; I should know this by now, but it hurts me that she seems to do whatever the fuck she wants when she knows that I’m not home.
I run a hand over my face before I walk over and sit down behind her. Reaching forward, I grip her by the hips and pull her back against me, then place the giftbag into her hands.
I’ll do this as kindly as I can and hope that she doesn’t reject the gesture because if she does, I’ll be at a complete loss as to what to do with her.
“I got you something,” I tell her softly as I nuzzle her neck with my lips. Her body begins to tremble under the weight of my touch, and it fills my heart with joy. It’s been so long that Snow’s reacted this way to my touching her and maybe it means that we can fix this after all.
My gal nods as she opens the bag as she cautiously slips a hand inside. I’m nervous that she won’t like it, but it’s not complete yet. Hopefully, she’ll see the beauty in the simple base and accept it.
“Do you like it?” I ask shyly as she pulls it out of the bag and holds it up. She uses her other hand to grip one end and the other gives it a firm tug.
“Thank you,” she replies in a soft tone.
My heart catches in my throat as, to my surprise, tears start to form. Not of joy, elation, or sadness. It’s more my body’s reaction to hearing her voice again for the first time in months and it’s dripping in gratitude.
For something as small as this.
I clear my throat as I pull her tightly against me and kiss the top of her head. I let my lips linger there for a moment, breathe her in, then pull away and do my best to sound like the sturdy-voiced bastard she knows me as.
“It’s about time,” I say with a chuckle. A normal person would have replied withyou’re welcome,but I’m tired of pretending to be something I’m not. Snow shimmies slightly in my grip and looks up at me, a small smile on her lips before she turns her attention back to the gift.
It’s nothing too major but knowing her love of animals, felines and canines being her favorite, I went into the taxidermy shop a few doors down from Virulence and Vanity and got her a little fox tail.
I’ll have to finish it myself and she’ll wear it for me like a happy little pup finally accepting of her master.
“If you really like it, I’ll go back tomorrow and find some ears to match, okay?” I tell her, rubbing her arms with my hands. Snow nods before she tucks the tail back into the bag, then pulls away from me.
I’m confused at first, angered and hurt, until I see her move back onto her hands and knees, face to the wall.
I’m not overly fond of treating her like an animal, but humansareanimals too and this one lacks discipline.
I don’t know how else to teach her than like this.
“Do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?” I ask as I reach forward and run a finger down the back of her thigh. I follow the line through the curve of her knee, until I stop at the back of her ankle, hoping above all else that she’ll say yes.
But Snow goes back to her silence, not answering me with words. Instead she chooses actions as her response and turns to face me.
I smile as my heart starts to beat a little faster inside of my chest.
Even though she keeps her eyes directly ahead, I know she’s as happy about this as I am. Especially when I get to my feet and move quickly toward the closet. I hang my jacket inside, then reach on the top shelf for her leash.
Either she’ll get to her feet and walk on her own, or she’s going to let me lead her.
No matter what happens, this will be the greatest night of my life—the one I’ve been waiting for since the first time I laid eyes on her.
I walk back toward Snow and let the leash unravel. It swings lazily in front of her and I wait for her to make her decision.
When she clears her throat and turns her eyes to look up at me, I shake my head fondly and lean down to clip the leash to her collar.
Animal it is then.
Chapter Five
Snow is settled on the edge of my bed. Her hands are on her knees, her eyes on me, waiting for a command, any command that might tell her what to do next, but I want this to be natural.
I don’t want to have to guide her when it comes to being with me—she has to be able to feel it on her own.