Page 36 of Forbidden Vows

“It’s time,” he says. “For me to lay down the rules.”

Chapter Ten

Blaze

My favorite part of the tour is seeing what Cleopatra looks like in my room. I’ve spent many lonely nights here, wishing she were with me. Now, I can hardly believe she’s here.

I haven’t brought anyone here because it feels like home, and besides Haze, no one here is part of my chosen family; I’m still getting to know them.

Being with Cleopatra is like being home.

I wanted her to see it first.

She’s the only one who has ever held me to a higher standard. When expectations are set low, you tend to meet them. Ma didn't usually care where I was or what I was doing as long as I slept at home.

Cleopatra always demanded more of me.

When we lived together, she got after me when I left a mess in the sink, made me set an alarm, and get to work on time. She taught me about the importance of protein in my diet. She taught me to fold my laundry. She even showed me how to iron.

When she and her dad moved out, I saw her infrequently, but each time, she’d check in on me, ask a litany of questions, and ensure I was still drinking the protein vitamin shakes she made me buy.

She cared.

Now, it’s my turn to make demands of her. She’s got to make herself a priority. And take her safety seriously. She’s gone to my bathroom to take a post-flight shower.

I’ve only given her one of my clean white T-shirts to put on afterwards.

She emerges from the shower, her scent sweet and appearance devastatingly tempting in my white tee shirt. The thin fabric does little to hide the curve of her breasts and knowing she's bare underneath turns me on to no end.

“Come here, pretty girl,” I murmur, patting my thigh. “Come lie across my lap so we can review my rules.” I pat my thigh, feeling a mix of carnal desire and a wish for her safety.

Her eyes widen with hesitation yet shine with curiosity, while her voice rises into a high squeak. “Is this really necessary?” She takes a hesitant step back. “Couldn’t you just send me the rules in a memo? Maybe type them up so I’ll remember better?”

I lean forward, my breath warm against her ear. “Oh, baby, I’ll make sure you remember them. Over here.” I give my thigh a firm slap. The sharp echo of my paddle-like hand makes her start. “Now.”

She floats forward on tiptoe, every muscle seeming to tremble with anticipation. Gently, she arches herself across my lap, the damp shirt riding up her back and revealing the pale curve of her waist. I sweep the damp cotton aside, exposing the soft line of her hip.

“Beautiful,” I murmur, letting my hand glide over the silkiness of her skin. She shivers as my fingertips trace along her spine. “First rule: you do not go anywhere without me or a bodyguard.”

“What about when I’m with Seraphina?”

“You’ll both be with a bodyguard.” I press my palm into her soft flesh, holding her in place. “I want you under protection at all times. Understand? Say, ‘Yes, sir,’ if you do.”

At the thought of her calling me “sir” while pressed against me, my cock stiffens, straining for release. Her lips part in a whisper: “Yes, sir,” and it sounds every bit as good as I thought it would.

“Good girl.” I stroke the cleft of her ass before bringing my hand down in a crisp, stinging smack. The warmth of the blow blooms across her cheek, and she gasps.

“Ow!” Her body wavers, but she doesn’t pull away.

“If you slip away from me, you’ll be punished. Severely.”

I deliver a second spank, harder this time, and she cries out, the sharp report of flesh on palm filling the room—a vivid red handprint blooms on her ivory skin. “I want you to say ‘Yes, sir’ every time I spank you. That way you’ll never forget who’s in charge.”

“Yes…sir,” she breathes.

I strike again, quick and precise. “Who’s in charge of you, baby?”

“You are, sir.”

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