“You have events scheduled. A brunch, and a rendezvous with executives.” I pause, gauging her unmoving expression. Kamden’s details are scant. All he noted was that they were friends of hers she hasn’t seen in far too long. Damon agrees that she should be socializing. A “rendezvous” isn’t a good enough description as far as I’m concerned, but I’ve been tasked to handle both of them, at Kamden’s request.
“Are you looking forward to them?”
“I am.” Ella’s gaze softens and she seems to doubt herself a moment but then finds her voice I know to be strong. “It’s been too long and I miss my friends.” The relief that spreads through my chest is unexpected. I hadn’t realized how much I dreaded pushing back on Kamden’s request, and Damon’s approval, if Ella had been anything other than happy to attend. The idea of her with friends, laughing, smiling and joking … I want that for her.
“It will be a delight to see you among your peers.”
“You’ll be going?” Ella’s surprise forces a smirk to my lips.
“That is correct. You seem shocked.”
“I just … I was under the impression Damon would be with me during the brunch, since it will be during his shift. Did you request it?” There’s a mix of both hope and worry in the vulnerability that lingers in her question.
Shaking my head once, I admit, “I did not. Kamden did.”
“I see.”
“Would you rather I didn’t?” I question, not understanding her concern and not liking it either.
“It’s a relief you’ll be there, to be honest. I just … Kamden didn’t tell me that.”
My hum of acknowledgment is low and short.
“There will be alcohol present at both. It’s my preference that you don’t drink at either event. Do you agree?”
Ella meets my eyes. Her lips part, as if she’s considering disagreeing deeply, but it’s several beats before she speaks. This consideration tells me that she’s capable of being in this scene. It’s something I check for constantly—her ability to consent. Consent, in scenes and otherwise, is never one and done. It can change at any second. At any moment, she could give me her safe word, and this would end. “Yes. I agree.” Her voice is so low, so soft.
“I know about the small bottles, little bird.”
A frisson of shock moves through the air between us, Ella’s eyes widening.
“Do you know which ones I’m referring to?” I ask.
She only nods. “I’d like you to answer verbally.”
“I do. Yes.”
“I found the bottles, and I reviewed the tapes. I know what you did, and I don’t like it. Self-medicating and risking adverse side effects is something that puts you in danger. You’re not going to be drinking while you’re in my care. I’m glad you agree to the rule. But you should know that I will punish you if you break it.” My grip tightens on the armrest when I add, “Severely, and you will not enjoy it.”
She nods again. Ella rubs her knees against one another nervously. Her body is tight, not with desire, but fear. “Am I in trouble?” She hasn’t experienced a punishment yet beyond orgasm denial. I set her up for that one last night. Tonight I intend to set her up again, but it will be different and certainly not for something she did before she gave her submission to me.
“Do you think you should be?”
“I was … it was a bad moment.”
“We also hadn’t established our arrangement yet. Had we?”I question her.
Shaking her head, her posture relaxes just slightly. “No, we hadn’t started.”
Taking a moment to let her compose herself, I shift in my seat, not hiding how very hard I still am for her. I need her to know I still want her. Even if she’s done something to upset me, I will always want her.
“Now. We need to prepare for your outings. We will practice.”
“Practice?”
“Questions will naturally come up while you’re with your friends, or while you’re at the rendezvous.” Ella changes before my eyes. Her breathing goes shallow, her back straightens and her muscles tense. “They may ask you questions about your voice, or other specifics you have yet to discuss openly and you’ll need to be prepared to answer. We’ll practice that now.”
“They won’t ask. They won’t.” Ella denies the possibility and it fucking guts me how much she truly believes it.