Page 31 of Tower

“Okay. I’ll talk with her first thing tomorrow. Tell her to meet me at eight.”

“Got it.” He glanced at Azalea. “You sure you don’t want me to take care of it?”

Peter would like nothing more than to hand off his responsibilities, but until Ash made it back home, he was keeping things as they were.

“No. I got it. Get her back here and remind her that if she would prefer to leave our employment, she’s more than free to do so.”

Daniel started to speak, but shook his head and clammed up. With a curt nod, he stalked through the door, pulling it shut behind him.

Azalea folded her arms over her stomach, taking another step toward the stairs.

Peter pulled one hand free and linked it with his, walking her up to his room. She’d agreed to give him everything, and he wouldn’t wait any longer to claim what was his.

“What did you mean when you said you should have dealt with her?” Azalea asked once inside his bedroom. She walked to the far corner of the room, away from the door leading to his private playroom, and away from him.

“Exactly what you think it means,” he answered, shaking his suit jacket off and tossing it on an armchair.

“How you dealt with me this morning?” she asked. Her fingers were twirling her long hair, but he didn’t see any actual fear in her eyes. She might be nervous—and she should be—but she wasn’t afraid of him.

“Well, not as severe. She won’t be as stubborn as you.” He smiled.

“She’ll just—I mean you’ll—” The deep blush that took over her face couldn’t have been more beautiful.

Peter held back his laugh, not wanting her to misunderstand and think he was laughing at her. That didn’t mean he didn’t intend on using her embarrassment to push her a little further.

“I’ll make her bend over the spanking bench we have in one of the offices in the Annex and bare her ass for me. Then we’ll discuss what she did wrong, and as long as she doesn’t give me any attitude, I’ll give her ten lashes with a belt.”

She hadn’t blinked while he spoke. She didn’t make a sound or protest when he made his way over to her.

“What did she do wrong?” Azalea asked, finally breaking her silence.

Peter tilted his head. “Well, I wouldn’t tell her how you’ve been naughty, so I can’t tell you how she was naughty, either.”

She nodded, and just like that she seemed to snap out of her trance.

“She’s agreed to this? I mean, she’s your employee, right? Isn’t that like—assault?”

Peter chuckled. “No, it’s not assault, and she’s fully consented to the consequences for breaking the house rules.”

He placed his hands on her slender shoulders. Sliding his hands behind her, he unzipped the dress. “But we aren’t talking about her anymore. Right now, I want you to take this dress off and let me see you.”

“I don’t think—”

“You did agree, remember? At the club?” He let her go and backed off. He wouldn’t force her, and he wouldn’t disrobe her. She would do this, and she would do it on her own.

“Well, yes, but I didn’t think—”

“You thought we’d come home and snuggle up in front of the TV?” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d watched television.

“Take off the dress, Azalea,” he ordered when she didn’t respond or start moving. “I’ve already seen you naked.” Except this time, he’d be paying a hell of a lot more attention to what was standing before him.

He didn’t take his gaze off her. It would make it easier for her if he wasn’t looking, but that wasn’t the point.

She brushed the thin straps from her shoulders and let the dress slide down her body and pool at her feet. He kept his eyes focused on hers, enjoying the blush creeping down her neck and across her chest.

“Your hair. Put it behind you.” He wiggled his fingers at her.

She started to roll her eyes, but stopped. He’d let it go this time; she did catch herself after all. And he wasn’t a complete asshole.

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