Page 28 of Addiction

Shouldn’t I be scared?

The question flitted through her mind as she eyed the new room, with sprawling cream couches and glass coffee tables, leading her to think it was his lounge.

“This is lovely.” She glanced around the light and airy living space, lifting her fingers to her hair and dragging the digits through the strands. She’d need to brush her mane soon, or else it would become untamable. “Is this where you want to spank me, sir?” Her voice sounded distant, as if it was coming from somewhere else. She turned her head as though she expected to see its owner, finding his bemused expression.

“Are you okay, little girl?” He spun to face her, concern flickering in his big blue eyes. “Because this can wait if you’re not well.”

“Maybe I’m just overheated from the shower?” Her hand lowered to her left cheek. She did feel hot, but after so long under the glorious water and all his close attention, she was hardly surprised. “I don’t know, sir.”

“Do you need to cool off?” He tugged at the collar of the fluffy robe. “I can turn up the temperature in here and take this off?”

“Sounds good.” She smiled as he wandered a few paces to the wall and tweaked the thermostat. Tucker was only wearing a towel around his waist, exposing enough of his tempting, muscular body to remind her of some of the many reasons he was so difficult to say no to.

“There.” His lips curled as he met her eyes. “Any other requests, little girl?”

“Do you have a hairbrush, sir?” The Tucker she’d met in the woods wouldn’t have even owned a brush, but she’d seen quite a different side of the man since they’d arrived in the city. It was possible he had one hiding around there somewhere.

“Is this a grooming parlor?” His dark eyebrow arched with his sardonic tone. “Or the lounge I’m going to spank you in?”

“I know, sir.” She offered a small shrug. “It’s just I didn’t get to bring an overnight bag, so I’m a little stumped when it comes to these things.”

“Okay.” His expression relaxed. “I have something in my bedroom.” His gaze glided to the door. “But that would mean me trusting you to stay here by yourself and not get into any mischief.”

“I can do that.” She looked around the space again, thinking how much it reminded her of one of the spreads from those glossy magazines her mother read. Every inch of the place was spotlessly clean, with fresh flowers collected in vases around the room. Even to Ella, who’d grown up with wealth, the place was surreal.

“Can you?” He sounded unconvinced. “Because we don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to me leaving you unattended, do we?”

“That’s not true, sir,” she countered. “You left me in the cabin after I had to use the bucket, and I was still on the bed when you returned.”

She wished she had a less humiliating example to offer, but life had been one mortifying experience after the next in the forest. Wherever they were right now, at least this place had a fully plumbed toilet.

“That’s true.” His rising brow suggested he’d forgotten her good behavior. “Although I asked you not to move, and as I remember, little girl, I found you playing with one of my ties?”

“You asked me to stay on the bed,” she reminded him. “You never said I couldn’t touch anything.”

“Is that right?” He shook his head with a knowing grin. “So, you’re saying my instructions need to be more explicit.”

“Maybe?” She offered him a cheeky smile. “I’m just saying I can be good, sir, and I would really love to brush my hair before it dries. After that, my ass is yours.”

Definitely not scared, then. Her lips stretched wider at her brazen approach.

“It most definitely is, Miss Bennett.” He pulled her against him, his arms tightening as his smoldering gaze speared her. “You’d do well to remember that.”

“Yes, sir.”

She melted into his hard body, conscious of the same sandalwood scent on his skin. Peering up at him, she wondered if every product he owned had that same wonderful aroma. No doubt her own tresses would share the smell now she’d used his shampoo and conditioner.

“I want you to wait on the sofa by the window.” He motioned to the one he meant, though his attention never left her face.

Her gaze scanned his face, noticing that he’d chosen not to shave in the shower, although perhaps that had more to do with her than his desire for facial hair. Emotions burned in his sapphire eyes, disguising the exhaustion he must surely have felt. He hadn’t had the opportunity to sleep during the drive over there. Finally, her concentration settled on his mouth. She watched his lips moving, abruptly aware of how good they’d felt between her thighs. She wanted more of that soon.

“And not move until I get back with the hairbrush.”

“Okay.” She considered rising to her tiptoes and risking a kiss to those alluring lips but decided against it. “I won’t move, sir.”

Ella liked this new bubble of equilibrium they’d found. She was finally clean, contented, and didn’t even fear the penance he’d brought her there for. Better that she played his good little girl and enhanced the harmony rather than bring the whole house of cards crashing down around her.

“Go on then.” He leaned down and planted a chaste caress on her forehead before the warm bondage of his arms disappeared from around her. “Let’s see you do as you’re told.”

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