“You like investigating things online?”
He winks at me. “We’ll make a good partnership.”
My belly melts. Even now, after everything that’s happened, the way he looks at me makes me feel like the most stunning woman he’s ever laid eyes on.
“I like the sound of that,” I say, my voice low and flirtatious. I barely recognize myself.
“Come here.” Mario sits on the edge of the king-sized bed. “You’re so tired, aren’t you?”
I nod, and a lump rises in my throat when he beckons to me and pats his knee. “Let’s get you ready for bed then.”
I feel little, almost younger, and again I’m tempted just to lay it all down. To let someone else take care of me for once. I remind myself I’m his prisoner in his home, that I’m in danger with no end to all of this in sight, but it doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is me, Mario, and that bed.
When I reach him, he slides me onto his lap. I feel the soft silk of his pants on the bare undersides of my thighs. Wordlessly, I drape my arms around his neck. He nestles me there, his arms encircling me. Holding me.
“You’ve had a long day,” he whispers softly. “Haven’t you?”
I nod and stifle a yawn.
“And tomorrow, we have important work to do. So you need some sleep, doll.” I nod again.
His voice is soft and soothing as he holds me, somehow more poignant now that I know how hard he can be. “Then let’s get you ready for bed. Let’s get some rest. Everything else can wait until the morning.”
I nod against him a third time like a sleepy toddler.
I don’t protest when he undresses me. Though he isn’t undressing me to fuck me, and this is mostly platonic, he takes his time kissing my shoulders and the top of each breast when he bares me to him.
I shiver, but then lean against him as he shimmies the rest of the clothing down my legs.
“No need for pajamas,” he says, not surprising me.
“I’m never going to get any sleep if—”
“I’ll let you sleep,” he interrupts. “No pajamas.”
Not surprising, but I also don’t want to protest too much. It was only two nights ago this man showed me the night of my life.
Somehow, I make it to the bathroom where he hands me soft cleansing wipes for my face, a brush for my hair. I brush my teeth and do minimal preparations before I stifle another yawn and head to the very large, very inviting bed.
I snuggle under the covers. The sheets are crisp and clean, folding against my body like a second skin. It smells faintly of lavender. I want to watch him get undressed, and do for a little while until I can’t hold my eyes open any longer.
I’m vaguely aware of him climbing into bed beside me. It doesn’t surprise me that Mario’s a cuddler. Half-asleep, I’m enveloped in his strong arms, my head tucked under his chin. It’s the most comfortable I’ve ever been.
I like the way he holds me. I like the way this feels. So natural. So right. My breathing slows and matches his. I feel him kiss the top of my head, and I smile softly to myself as my eyes can’t stay open any longer.
I close my eyes and drift into a deep, dreamless sleep.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Mario
I won’t let myself get bested by her again. She’s a wily one, though I’ll admit that I love that about her. Still, I’m the one that needs to navigate this ship.
So I let myself sleep beside her, holding her. I enjoy the soft feel of her body against mine, the fragrance of her hair, the feel of her silky skin beneath my fingers. I love the way she feels in my arms.
I remember how it felt to punish her in the club, the way she looked splayed out on the bench, helpless to stop me. At first, I was angry. I let her know how angry I was when I punished her, but after the first hard strokes of my belt, my anger melted away, and instead, the need to have her, to claim her, to feel the tight walls of her pussy and hear her moan my name, was all I could focus on. Something about the way she squirms and moans when she’s getting spanked makes me hard as fuck.
Christ, I love dominating her.
And even though I shouldn’t think of that now, I should sleep, I can’t forget it. I’ll have her again, and soon.
I don’t trust her. How could I? But she’s my charge now. She’s in my bed. And with her working for me, I know one thing above all: having her as my ally will only make things go more smoothly. How do I get her to stay an ally? I use my strongest assets.