Chapter 14
Master
Could I kiss her like before? She couldn’t have been serious. The question pissed me off. Made me want to take the crop back out and beat her with it. It fucking made me want to obey her — to kiss her slow and passionate until she was fighting to breathe past her need for me. Goddammit. I couldn’t think. Diane fucked with my head just as hard as I fucked her body. Although, what she did wasn’t intentional, or was it? What would bring on the question? What even made her think about it?
My hand paused from grabbing the tray at my line of thought. What changed her mind? Had the thought of death, or her reawakening after she thought she survived, make her reassess whatever feelings she might have for me? I’d be damned if I knew. The woman drove me crazy in every way I could imagine.
“Kiss her.” Sarcasm filled my tone as I shook my head and placed the bowl on the counter. Fuck, my cock wanted me to. But there was nothing passionate about my current need. She had me riled now — worked up and craving to fuck her nice and hard. Perhaps I would. Teach her a lesson and make her stay the hell away from the other side of me. She didn’t need to know him. Even he wasn’t good enough for her. Sure, I did helpful things in the eyes of the public, but there was always this person I was now. I couldn’t escape one without the other far behind. Responsibilities were carried on both sides. It was all or nothing with me. Nothing was safer for both of us, regardless if I couldn’t look past keeping her. Inside, my brain told me there was no getting past it. Diane was mine. There was no if, ands, or buts about it. Yet, the inkling of reality was there, too. I couldn’t keep her and the reasons for that were long enough to fill a fucking novel. When she was better, she had to go. From what I’d seen within the last twenty-four hours, it wouldn’t be but a couple of more weeks. No, I was over-exaggerating the time frame. It’d be less than that.
“Kiss her,” I repeated again. “Damn that woman.” Damn me for even attempting to be intimate with her. Now she knew I possessed something other than what she’d come to believe. I had to try to block it out. To make her forget what she’d seen.
Beeping and then…“Master?”
Jaime’s voice had my eyebrows drawing in. It wasn’t out of character for him to stop by unannounced, but I really didn’t feel like dealing with anything right now. And more than likely, whatever he had to say would be work related.
The front door shut, the alarm kicking back in as footsteps heavily walked my way.
“In the kitchen.” I put the soup on the stove and turned around just as he came through the entrance. The suit he wore was fitted, displaying his wide shoulders and thin waist. The yellow tie threw me off. Usually, he wore black, blue, or red. It wasn’t like him to mix it up. He’d been a creature of habit since I’d met him.
“Ah, lunch.” His hands pushed into his pockets as he looked around toward the small table further back in the room. The glance only lasted for a few seconds before his stare moved toward the door of the formal dining.
“She’s not in there,” I said dryly, grabbing a spoon to stir the soup.
“Has she not earned her way into the kitchen yet? It’s been a little over a month.” Concern shadowed his face for the briefest moment before he composed himself. The narrowing of his eyes while I watched him study me didn’t sit right.
Silence reigned between us as I continued to stir and contemplate how much I wanted to tell him. I’d never hidden anything about the slaves from him before, but then again, he’d never really cared to ask how any of them were doing.
“Diane failed her test this morning. She took the pills. She’s not ready yet.”
Jaime’s head lowered, his jaw tightening as he stared at the floor. “I knew she was bad off. I could feel it. See it in her eyes when I picked her up. I guess I haven’t gotten over it. That’s kind of why I’m here.”
“Yeah, well, she’s been through a lot. She is getting better, though. She admitted to not wanting to die after she’d taken them. Even made herself sick. It wasn’t fast enough for the effects to take hold, though. She passed out anyway.”
His head shook while he continued to stare downward. “Can I see her?”
My hand paused mid-stir, my stomach tightening as possessiveness ricocheted, locking up my limbs. “She’s not well enough for visitors.”
Only then did Jaime’s eyes rise to mine. “Not well enough to see me?”
Fuck. To deny him only spoke of how attached I’d become to her. It wasn’t like I’d hide her from men in general, but I sure as hell didn’t want him traipsing down to the basement to see her nude. Her body was mine. Every single inch of it.
“Finish cooking this. I’ll get her.”
He nodded as I handed over the spoon and stalked to the basement door.
“Wait. You have her in there? Are you serious?”
Jaime’s voice had my lids closing and anger flaring. I spun around, slowing, and narrowing my eyes as I took in his shocked expression.
“I do. Do you have a problem with that? I do believe I’m the Master here, and happen to know what’s best for my slave.”
The lowering of his stare wasn’t done easily. I could tell by the way he shifted his feet as he turned back to the stove. Shit, I really didn’t want to have to worry about this now. I turned, flinging the door open and shutting it behind me. Diane’s head lifted from the headboard as she watched me near.
“You’re going to eat in the kitchen. Do you think you can be good or do I need to leave you down here and feed you myself?”
Her lips parted and her eyes jerked to the stairs. “I can be good.”
“You have a visitor. Jaime is here to spend some time with you. If, at any time, you misbehave, do not think I won’t put you over my knee and spank your ass right in front of him. Do you understand? He works for me. He will not help you.”
“I’ll behave.”
All I could do was nod as I went over and grabbed the long, blue dress I’d brought in for her earlier. The intention had been to cut it from her body tonight. Might as well get it on her now, maybe I’d do it even sooner.
“You’re going to put this on, walk up the stairs like a good slave, and take your seat on the floor next to the head of the table where I sit. Is that understood?”
Repulsion was so thick on her face and she didn’t try to hide it. “The floor?”
“Do I need to collar you and make you do it myself? I said, the floor. That’s final.”
I reached forward, unbuckling the cuffs. Slowly, she got dressed, pulling the sundress over her head and working it down. She was still hurting. It was clear by the way she grimaced with each shift of her bottom. My cock hardened and the urge to fuck her before I took her upstairs was all too real. I wanted to claim her. To have my cum deep inside of her pussy and running down her legs while she walked past Jaime and kneeled at my feet. It wasn’t like she could get pregnant. Her medical records said she was on the shot. And I couldn’t have any more kids, I made sure of that shortly after I lost my family.
“Let’s go. You first.”
I forced the need away, but not entirely. I would have her, and soon.
“Master?” Diane paused, but didn’t turn around. The slight sway had me stepping in closer. There was no doubt in my mind that traces of the pill were still in her system.
“Keep walking and tell me.” I stayed alert while she lifted her foot up to the first step.
“I’m not feeling too well. Do I have to go?”
Was she seriously asking my permission without attitude in her voice? And she’d seemed almost eager to go at first. She had to be telling the truth. Sympathy surged, my good side edging in the smallest amount. It wouldn’t do.
“Yes, you have to go. You’re sick because you need to eat. The pills are settling on an empty stomach. I’m surprised you aren’t worse off than you are. Now, get moving.” My hand pushed into her lower back, more bracing her than trying to speed her along. But she didn’t know that.
Each step appeared to become easier and at the door opening, Diane let out a sigh, stopping just through the threshold. After the hesitation, she walked forward, slowly. Jaime let out a quiet laugh as he leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. He looked every bit the charming bachelor and it had me pausing in closing the door behind me.
“Someone looks tired. How are you feeling, slave?”
My teeth grinded together at the term. Even though I knew he was following my rules, hearing him address her that way left me impatient to move to her side.
“I am tired,” she said quietly.
“Master told me about your slip. Do you want to talk about it?” He pushed to stand straight and began walking at her side as they headed into the nook where the small table rested. Diane paused, turning to look at me. At my point toward the right end, she sunk to her knees, looking down.
“I’d rather not, Jaime.”
I saw his mouth twist as he took a seat at the opposite end. The steaming bowl of soup rested in my place and I took a seat, watching his every move. Longing in his eyes had my own widening. Was I missing something here? Was Jaime craving a slave of his own? A personal one? Or was he checking out mine?
“You know, I was where you were once. I might be able to help. If you’d allow me?”
I picked up the spoon, clamping my mouth shut. She didn’t need his help. She had me. Still, I knew when not to speak. Stating that out loud would only alert him to how far gone I was. Jealousy wasn’t something I wanted to show if I could help it.
“You wanted to kill yourself?” Diane’s head lifted while I blew the spoonful of soup.
“I did. Almost did, too. It was a very dark time in my life. Nothing like what you’ve gone through, but to me, it was very bad.” His arms came to rest on the table. “I’ve always felt lost, like I didn’t belong here. When I lost my mom and my scholarship, I didn’t think there was anything left for me. I bought a gun. Was damn close to using it.”
Diane shifted on her knees, her full attention on my best friend. My first slave.
“What happened?” Her voice was rich with emotion. Jaime’s stare lifted to me and I waited to see how this was going to play out. I wasn’t ready for Diane to know; didn’t want her comfortable around me just yet.
His face turned back to her and he smiled. “A blessing appeared in the most terrifying way imaginable. It’s quite the tale and maybe someday I’ll tell you, but to make a long story short, I went from having nothing, to a purpose in life. I found a way to get back into school, landed an amazing job, and immersed myself into finding ways to give back to people who need help.
Diane tilted her head and her eyebrows drew in. “But you brought me here to kill myself. Do you know what I’ve been through?” Anger had her voice rising. “You left me here. Lied to me.”
“Slave.” My tone lowered, the threat present. “Turn and eat before you get sick.”
“Don’t you see? I’m on the floor, being fed. Jaime, how is this helping?”
I dropped the spoon in the bowl. The loud clinking had her straightening, but she didn’t stop.
“Surely this isn’t the help you’re referring to. It can’t be. I refuse to believe that—”
The chair scraped loudly against the floor as I pushed out and flung her fighting body over my lap. My forearm wedged into the middle of her back and I threw up her dress, rearing back and connecting with her bare ass. The squeal barely escaped from the pressure I used to hold her down.
“Count and thank me.”
I spanked her again, not giving her time before her yell was replaced with a breathless, “Two. Thank you, Master.”
Eight more firm spankings and she was sobbing while I pushed her back into the kneeling position. Damn if that woman wasn’t stubborn. She was going to learn if it was the last thing I accomplished.
“Now, sit there and keep quiet while I feed you. Another peep and you’ll get ten more.”
Jaime’s mouth closed while I watched him gain his composure. Surprise, shock, but most of all, lust, shadowed his face while he ripped his gaze up from her to look back at me.
“Tell me about White Corp.” I leaned down, spinning Diane to face me. My hand went back to the spoon and I lowered her a bite. The hesitation was there, but she moved forward, her lips separating too drink in the broth. It took everything I hand not to trace my thumb over the fullness.
The silence had me turning back to Jaime, who seemed just as enamored as I had been.
“White Corp,” I snapped.
“Right.” He licked his lips, his stare returning to her for only the briefest moment before he seemed to catch himself.
“Bought them out this morning. It was another reason I wanted to come over. I thought you’d want to hear in person. I think a celebration is in order. Didn’t think it was going to happen.”
A smile pulled at my lips while I lowered the spoon again. “You did well. It wouldn’t have happened if you wouldn’t have been pushing like you’ve been. Great job. We’ll set something up here soon. Maybe dinner tomorrow night.”
Again, his attention went to Diane. The happiness faded, tainted by my possessiveness over her.
“I think dinner would be great.”
I nodded. “I’ll set it up. Maybe my slave can attend if she decides to be good. If not, she’ll have to miss joining us.”
Diane’s head lifted, but she didn’t look at my face. Her red, swollen eyes stared at my chest, anger shadowing her features as she took another bite. I kept a close watch on her as Jaime and I went over the details of the morning. Whatever she was thinking, it was consuming her. As if a curtain was lowered, her emotions disappeared. I placed the spoon in the nearly empty bowl and continued my conversation while she remained in her safety bubble.
“I guess I should get going.” Jaime pushed back and stood, only to lower down next to the woman who resembled a statue at my feet. Only her breathing deepened as he leaned in closer to her and whispered something in her ear. The flutter of thick lashes slowed and she turned toward him, her face only inches away as they looked at each other. “Take care, slave.”
He stood, throwing me a grin as he nodded and headed toward the door. Words were gone. The only thing I could process was a single question. What the fuck had he said?
Beeping and the locks settling into place pulled me from my thoughts. I grabbed her bicep, hauling her to stand. Her feet were stumbling as I led her back to the basement. The trip down went a hell of a lot faster than the climb up. As we passed the tray with all my blades, I brought my arm up around her neck, pulling her back into my chest. The grip tightened as her hand flew up to my arm.
“You were a very bad girl,” I said next to her ear. “What did I tell you before we went up? Yet, you still defied me?” My fingers connected with a knife from the tray. The metal handle was cold to the touch and I felt my pulse jump. Diane immediately began to thrash against me. It only caused my hold to grow even more secure. Her feet searched for footing as I dragged her deeper into the room, spinning and pushing her to stand against the flat metal post at the foot of the bed. Bad. Yes, she’d broken the rules, but what I was about to do was so much more than that. She’d chose life ultimately, but now it was up to me to wipe death from her for good. To scare her past the point of no return. And I couldn’t wait. “You move, I’ll carve my name across your back.” I had the silk ties in my hand before she could decide what to do. Whether it was from fear, or lack thereof, I wasn’t sure. But I was about to find out.