His to Command

She walked toward the bedside table as if drawn by a gigantic magnet. She licked her lips, hesitating. Wanting to know, but … not wanting to know.

She sucked in a deep breath, then grabbed the handle of the drawer and pulled it open, like ripping off a bandage. Inside was a brown leather journal, a pen, a small flashlight, and other sundry things. She glanced farther back in the drawer, and her breath caught. A black velvet box.

She picked it up with shaking fingers and snapped it open.

The soft light of the setting sun glittered on the large, solitaire diamond. It was beautiful. Simple. Elegant. Exactly what Kate would have wanted.

Her heart sank. She pushed herself up on the bed and sat cross-legged, staring at the gem. She ran her fingertip over the hard, smooth surface. She had begun to hope she might win Matt’s heart again, even though he said it was impossible. She feared her own submissive nature, but even more, she feared a future without Matt in her life. She was in love with him. She realized she always had been.

If only this ring had been for her. Kate’s heart ached and tears welled in her eyes.

* * *

Matt’s cock still ached as he pulled the beef bourguignonne dinner from the fridge and put it into the oven to warm. He’d had it sent over from his favorite chef, along with a few other dishes, so he could spend time with Kate rather than cooking.

She was starting to trust him more, and it filled him with a deep satisfaction. She’d even let him take her to the dungeon and chain her to the punishment bench. He knew this time was helping her heal and he was glad for that.

He wondered how deep that trust had become. If he revealed what he’d done, would she be willing to forgive him? Would she believe he would never hurt her again, and allow them to move forward?

He set the timer on the oven, then headed for the stairs. Kate was probably in her room, waiting for his next command. He’d get dressed, then invite her downstairs for a drink by the fire before dinner. He padded down the hall, his bare feet making no sound on the hardwood floors. As he stepped toward the doorway, he noticed Kate sitting cross-legged on his bed, now dressed in jeans and a sweater.

He smiled, rather wishing she still wore the harness, so he could enjoy the view of her sumptuous body. His cock stirred at the memory of her in the crouched position she’d adopted earlier when he’d come home from the office, her naked folds open to him.

Her gaze jerked toward him and his heart wrenched at the sight of tears glittering in her eyes.

“Oh, Matt, I didn’t hear you.”

Her voice sounded anxious. Almost panicky. It was then he noticed she held something in her hand. Despite her quick movement to try and hide it, the sparkle of the diamond had been unmistakable before she’d closed the box and tucked it beside her knee.

She’d found the ring. His gut clenched.

“What are you doing with that, Kate?” He grabbed his robe from the back of the chair and pulled it on.

Her cheeks were flushed as she stared at him, guilt suffusing her eyes. “I’m sorry, Matt. I shouldn’t have gone through your drawer, but … when Ileana told me—”

“Ileana? What the fuck were you doing talking to Ileana?”

Her gaze dropped. “She came by when you were gone this afternoon. I answered the door and she just pushed her way in.”

“And you two just started chatting calmly and she told you about the ring?”

He walked toward her and held out his hand. There was no point ignoring what it was. Kate hesitated, then placed the velvet ring box in his hand. He walked to the bedside table and placed it in the drawer, near the back, then closed it.

Whatever Ileana had told Kate, it wasn’t going to be good. He did not want Kate to know the story behind the ring, but Ileana’s plans rarely matched his. He just couldn’t figure out what Ileana would have to gain by telling Kate about it.

Kate hadn’t answered his question yet. “So, what did she say?”

* * *

Kate shifted under Matt’s intense scrutiny. She pushed herself from the bed and walked toward the window, gathering her wits. Drawing in a breath, she pushed aside the guilt of being caught with the evidence that she’d invaded his private space, drew back her shoulders, and turned to face him.

“You told me that you only dated Ileana for a short time and that it meant nothing.”

His expression didn’t change. “That’s right.”

She’d expected some hint of guilt.

“But … that’s a lie.”