One less thing for him to worry about.
I lean back in the seat. “He murdered my mother. Did you know that?”
“Yes.”
Of course he did. It was one of the worst kept secrets in that huge house. The official story is that my mother died from a sudden sickness. No one’s cared enough to question it. One day she was there, the next, she was gone, leaving a hole I’m not sure I’ll ever fill. “Did you kill him, Jafar? Answer the question.”
This time, he doesn’t hesitate. “Yes. As you said, he was a threat. If he’d gone quietly, it might have played out a different way.”
My breath leaves me in a whoosh and I can’t quite manage to reclaim it. I press my hand to my chest, my head going light. “Oh.”
He’s there instantly, gripping the back of my neck and guiding my head down to my knees. “Slowly, Jasmine. Inhale. Yes, like that.”
It takes several laborious inhales before I can speak again. “I should feel bad. Angry. Sad. Something.” I give a slightly hysterical giggle. “I don’t feel anything at all.” My father was a monster. At his very best, he was neglectful and absent. His best. “You’re right. I’m a horrible, traitorous daughter.”
I barely hear Jafar’s sigh and then he pulls me onto his lap. I resist at first, but he’s stronger and the truth is I don’t want to resist. I giggle again, the inappropriate sound horrifying me almost as much as my complete lack of grief over the situation. “A traitorous daughter and her father’s murderer. Maybe we really do deserve each other.”
“We do.” The way he says it, as if it’s fact and not words meant to comfort. But then, Jafar has proven himself to be shit at comforting.
That’s okay. It’s hardly in my skillset either. Who would I comfort? I have no friends. No family. The only human contact I’ve had are my father’s men and Jafar.
I shiver and he wraps his arms around me tighter. “I hate my life.”
“Shh.” His lips at my temple, the steady beat of his heart against my back, the strength of him forcing my body into stillness. “Tell me what you need.”
“A friend.” The silly request pops out before I can think better of it. I shake my head. “I really am pathetic.”
“Not that, Jasmine. Never that.”
Strangely, his attempt to comfort me only makes it worse. “I’m not free, Jafar. What am I supposed to do? Ask you to set up playdates?”
His lips curve against my temple. “It can be arranged. Play by the rules and I’ll reward you.”
I shift, belatedly realizing that his cock is hard against my ass. Heat rolls through me, and I welcome it with open arms. Easier to focus on sex than the reality that I can’t escape.
That I’ll never escape.
I roll my hips. “What are your rules?”
“They’re simple enough. In fact, there’s only one. Obey.”
Obey.
His grip on me shifts, one hand falling to where the slit in my dress has bared my hip, the other cupping my breast through the silky fabric. “Tonight, you’ll be silent and obedient.” His fingers find my nipple and pinch, drawing a gasp from my lips. “Keep your head down, regardless of what you hear, and obey my commands.”
“What do I get if I do?”
His chuckle makes my whole body go tight. Jafar slips his hand beneath my dress and palms my pussy. He pushes two fingers inside, possessing me completely. “I’ll take care of this pretty pussy tonight.”
I can’t breathe. “And if I don’t?”
Just like that, his hand is gone, leaving me empty and wanting. “Then you’ll get a punishment.” His voice goes dark, any hint of amusement drifting away like smoke. “You like to be punished, but I don’t reward bad behavior. If you disobey, the punishment won’t be one you’ll enjoy.”
Even though I know he’s serious, his words still fan the flame of desire heating my blood. “How do you know what punishment I will or won’t like?”
“You’re going to tell me.”
I blink. “What?”
“Choose your reward tonight.”
That wasn’t what I asked. My mind goes in a thousand different directions, scrambling over itself to provide the best answer. “I want …” I swallow hard and try again. “I want it like it was before. I want you to force me.”
“Chase you.” His thumb circles my nipple. “Pin you down and shove the dress up around your hips.” He moves his other hand back to my pussy, but instead of fucking me with his fingers, he keeps his touch light. A single finger circling my clit the same way his thumb circles my nipple. Again and again, a tortuously slow circuit.
“Yes, Daddy,” I gasp.
“Good girl.” He sounds completely unaffected by what he’s doing to me, and somehow that only makes it hotter. I can feel how much he wants me, but his voice and his touch are both so distant and casual that this whole situation becomes a thousand times dirtier.