Page 43 of Absolution

“How?” He closed his eyes as though he couldn’t bear to look at her.

“I used your phone.” She cringed with the admission, knowing he’d likely never leave it unlocked again. “I’m not proud of it, but I did it, sir. I’m sorry.”

She wasn’t apologizing for buying him the plant but was sorry to have stirred the distrust between them. They’d discovered such a sexy equilibrium since they’d arrived at the apartment.

“And you did all of this to buy me what?” His concentration landed back on the shrub. “Is this a nightshade, little girl?”

“Yes, sir.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she awaited his verdict. She wanted to offer him a fragment of consolation in light of everything he’d lost. “I thought you’d find it soothing, what with having to leave the cabin and the flowers reminding you of your mum.” She only wanted to do something special for him. Surely, he wasn’t so blinkered by past trauma and mistrust that he couldn’t see that.

His lips twitched. “That’s a lovely thought, little girl.”

“So, you’re not angry?” Her tone was hopeful.

“Not angry,” he reiterated. “But I’m not happy about you hiding this from me, Ella.”

“I understand.” Nervous butterflies flitted around her belly. “I just wanted it to be a surprise, sir.”

“Consider me surprised.” He beckoned her forward, reaching out a hand in her direction. “Thank you, little girl.”

She grasped his long fingers, allowing him to pull her toward him for an impromptu embrace.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, sir.”

“I know.” His arm tightened around her waist. “But you know I’m going to punish you, don’t you?”

“Yes, sir.” Her pulse leapt at the intoxicating idea. She supposed, aside from gifting him the plant that reminded him of his mother, the prospect of a Tucker punishment was the main reason she’d gone behind his back. She couldn’t wait to see what devilish predicament he’d have her in, and if she knew him as well as she hoped, she wouldn’t have to wait long for his decision.

“Good.” He kissed her forehead. “Let’s put my nightshade with your remaining rose, shall we? Then I’m going to need my footrest.”

***

Head clouded, she blinked at the rug nestling between her fingers. It wasn’t the first time she’d found herself there—on all fours in front of the sofa—but she couldn’t recall feeling so dazed before.

“How’s my footrest doing?”

His voice echoed from somewhere to her right, but she couldn’t summon the energy to lift her head and acknowledge him. Naturally, the gag he’d shoved between her lips meant she couldn’t have replied even if she’d wanted to.

“I said.” He sent the riding crop whacking against her prone backside, provoking a shrill cry from her. “How are you, little girl?”

“Hmpf.” A hoarse grunt escaped from her throat as she processed the sudden hurt. He’d already spent half an hour tanning her ass with his brutal palm, and the sting caught her off guard.

“Good.” He tapped her cheeks as he settled back in his place, shifting his ankles on the small of her back. The extra-long riding crop made it easy for him to sit in comfort while still keeping her in her place. Her sex clenched at her tantalizing treatment. “I think we both know why you’re there on the floor.”

Heat bloomed on her cheeks and lowering her face, she wondered if it matched the color of her bottom. As she pondered the humiliating idea, a line of drool escaped the confines of her gag and stretched down to the rug below.

“I love my gift, little girl.” He pressed the head of the crop against her heated skin, angling it so it slipped between her cheeks. She gasped as it lowered to her pussy before resuming its rhythmic tap, tap, tapping on her labia. “But I can’t have you rushing off to commune with my staff the moment you think I’m asleep.”

You were asleep.

Goodness knows, she’d checked numerous times before she slipped away, but even without the gag, the point was moot. Ella understood Tucker’s concerns. Sure, he had an unruly possessive streak, but there was also a psychotic criminal on the loose who was prepared to break into his palatial surroundings and intimidate the usually unshakable man she’d fallen in love with.

In love with.

Her heart accelerated at the once alarming thought. As scary as the thought was, there was no doubt in her mind that her feelings matched the shiny mantle. She was in love with him, and while she hadn’t yet plucked up the confidence to tell him how she felt, the sentiment only grew as the hours passed.

“I love you, little girl.” The tapping at her pussy intensified, fogging her thoughts. “You know that, and I won’t risk your welfare.”

“Mmmm.” It was all she could manage.

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