"They say the most vulnerable part of our body is the throat."
Her gaze meets mine again. "You never know how you feel about someone until they've had their hands around your throat."
I huff. "So? How do you feel about me?"
A shy smile appears on her face. "I trust you, Sir."
Such a fucking good girl. I wish I could show her just how much those words mean to me right now.
But I can't. I'm already late and, unlike her, I have places to be, work to that has to be done. After breakfast.
"You need to eat something," I say, turning away from her. "Eggs?"
"I can do that," she says, on the point of getting off the chair.
"No, let me," I tell her, raising my arm. "I don't want you to burn the place down again."
"Ha-ha."
She gives me a playfully grumpy look. "But I have nothing else to do! You have to work and I just-"
"You have plenty to do. I want you to go shopping today. Get a new wardrobe for yourself, a few nice dresses, blouses, skirts, jewelry. Soon enough, we'll have our first official public outings, and I want you to be prepared."
She winks at me. "Lingerie, too?"
I catch her mischievous smile and nod.
"You wouldn't hear me complain," I say. "Just promise me you'll cover up those bruises before you leave the house."
Her eyes widen and she reaches up to her throat. "Is it bad? I haven't checked..."
"Bad enough. Just make sure no one but us ever gets to see them."
She nods. "Yeah, yeah."
"Button."
She lifts her eyes up to mine, looking attentive and worried.
"I'm serious. Promise me you will."
She bites her lower lip. "Yes, Sir."