ZANDER
Itype out one last message to the group chat on my phone and send it: I’ll take care of it.
End of discussion. She’s had time to process. Spoken to Kam and Damon. Now it’s my turn.
Cade and Damon have been texting nonstop in a whirlwind of discussion. They have their wants, their preferences, and their concerns.
But I’m the only one who knows what Ella requires. What she desperately needs and it’s time that I give it to her and in return she’ll give me every fucking worry she has.
I’ve heard all I need to hear from my brother and Damon and Kam. And Ella for that matter.
“Everything okay?” she questions. Her dark eyes are soulful and inquisitive. She is still shaken from the events of her breakdown, but surer of herself now.
“Of course, jailbird.”
I take her hand in mine and lead her to the room down the hall. To a door that will lead her to punishment and pleasure. To a room where she can let it all go. And give it to me.
Ella looks at the closed door, her breathing shallow. I take a minute to step back and assess her. She is anxious, possibly from the thought of her punishment. Better than last night for sure. We can do this. This is the next step.
“Open the door, Ella,” I tell her.
With a heavy inhale she obeys. Her eyes widen slightly and her chest rises with shock at the newly decorated room.
“It’s different,” she whispers with a touch of awe in her voice. A smirk gently lifts my lips, but it comes and goes before she can see it.
“I … redecorated.”
It’s the BDSM room. A playroom. Silas helped move everything from my place to hers. We worked while she slept last night and put the finishing touches on while she had her session with Damon. I haven’t slept at all, but this was needed.
My equipment has been arranged around the room. The air is cool, not too cold. The window lights the room from behind a thin curtain although I can pull the thick drapes shut if needed. I want her to see this, though. Every piece is placed with purpose. The traditional armoire with paddles and whips rests beside the padded bench. The horse has the addition of knee support, I imagine she’s going to love that piece, given how much pleasure she gets when I take her from behind.
The scent is of freshly polished wood and leather. It’s faint and not overbearing.
I watch her move around the space, fingertips reaching out to glide along the luxurious furniture. My heart races again at the memory that I almost lost her. My fear slips in with the anger, and I breathe it out. Never again. She will regret ever leaving me in a moment of chaos.
She turns to face me, hesitant, waiting. As if realizing her punishment is imminent.
“You are in need, Ella,” I tell her. “And you will not stop me from providing you with what you need.” Her breath hitches as a flush creeps into her cheeks. “Understood?”
“Yes, Z.”
“Good …” My gaze drifts to her silk nightgown and my cock twitches with desire. “Take off your clothes.”
She does as I tell her. Her curves are quickly unveiled as the silk slips into a puddle around her feet. Her lace bra and panties are next, joining the pale pink fabric on the floor. Then she faces me, hands clasped in front of her, her naked body beautiful before my eyes.
Heat floods through me. My hand flexes with the need to feel her skin redden beneath it.
“You had rules before,” I state, my body already responding to hers. I’m hard and ready to take her. However, I’m not focused on myself in the slightest. All my attention is on her. “Today, you’re mine, and from here on out, no other rules matter. Not the company’s rules, not Kamden’s rules. No formal rules except the ones we make right now. Even the fucking law is irrelevant. Is that understood?”
“Yes, sir,” she says breathlessly as I round her, pacing and making certain she hears everything crystal clear.
“Give me your wrists.” Ella offers them to me with sweet submission.
I take them in mine with one hand and lead her to the bed. With the fireplace crackling in the corner, she’ll be warm here, but not too hot. Her body temperature, like everything else, is important to me. I don’t want her to overheat. I also don’t want her to shiver.
Nothing but pain and pleasure. Punishment and security.
“Lie down on the bed,” I say, loosening my black silk tie, leaving me in gray suit pants and a button-down that will both be on the floor in a matter of time.