His only reply was a grunt, and there weren’t any further words as he drove them both to climax. She fisted the headboard as hard as she could, trying to hold off her orgasm until she knew it was inevitable.

“Please. Sir.”

He didn’t slow down but simply said, “Yes,” and dropped a hand between them to circle her clit.

With his permission granted, she threw her head back and focused on the feelings he created within her. He thrust deeply and kept moving as she climaxed around him. He slipped his hands up to cover hers, and their fingers entwined while he held still, reaching his own release.

They lay there for a time, holding hands, wrapped up in each other. Jeff kissed her again, but this time it was soft and reverent. She sighed in contentment when he whispered, “Touch me.”

Chapter Five

Present day

Two hours later, a much more content Dena sat at Daniel’s kitchen table, drinking another glass of juice. Jeff had wanted to give her chocolate milk, but Daniel didn’t have any. She’d loved chocolate milk when she lived with him. When she wore his collar, almost every night before they went to bed, he’d pour her a glass and bring it to her. A simple thing to anyone else, but one that never failed to put a smile on her face. Even after her outlandish behavior at the demo, he still wanted to care for her. He hadn’t realized until tonight how much he missed not being able to do things for her.

The party was over. For an hour, Jeff had watched Dena while she slept and thought about the note she’d received. In his opinion, there was only one thing to do. He wondered how she’d take his suggestion.

Because she’d worn party clothes under her coat, he’d needed to find her something to wear. Though he loved seeing her in the corset she’d worn to the party, he needed her in something more practical for the upcoming discussion. Anything of Julie’s was out of the question since she was a petite five feet three. Dena stood close to five eight. Fortunately, he carried extra clothes in his bag.

So while she sat drinking juice at Daniel’s table, talking to Abby and Nathaniel, she was wearing one of his T-shirts. It was still impossibly large, but his heart clenched at the sight. Seeing her dressed in his shirt brought back the memory of the many mornings she’d sat at his table wearing one.

“Nice shirt,” Daniel said, walking into the kitchen.

Dena glanced down at the large garment. “Thanks. He not only carries arnica cream, but he packs an extra outfit.”

He laughed at the look she shot him. “And a good thing, too. You’d be sitting there in a corset if I didn’t.”

She wrinkled her nose and turned her attention to Daniel. “How’s Julie?”

“She kept down the broth I took her. Maybe she’ll get some sleep tonight.”

Dena yawned. “I know I’m still tired.”

“No one will have to rock me to sleep tonight,” Abby said, stifling her own yawn. Nathaniel bent down and whispered something in her ear that made her giggle.

Daniel stood with his arms crossed. “I trust your judgment, Jeff, but what exactly happened after Nathaniel and I left?”

Jeff glanced at Dena before answering. “I’m sure she’s never been anything other than a perfect submissive with you, but I believe her exact words to me tonight were, ‘Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck. You.’”

Abby stared at Dena in disbelief. “You said that?”

Dena nodded and waved in Jeff’s direction. “Yes, but he forgot the, ‘Fuck you, Sir,’ I said first.”

“Right, ‘Fuck you, Sir.’ That’s what earned you ten strokes, wasn’t it?” Her ass would still be sore. She really didn’t need the reminder, but Jeff needed her to understand he wasn’t ready to joke about it just yet.

Dena’s back straightened. “Yes, Sir.”

“That’s not like you. What’s going on?” Daniel asked.

She glanced at him, but Jeff shook his head. “Since you remember everything word for word,” he said, “you tell him. Besides, I’m interested in whether or not he thinks you need another reminder about being honest.”

He wouldn’t let Daniel touch her, of course, not tonight. She’d had enough for one day. But the fact was her behavior was unacceptable for someone who’d been a submissive for as long as her. He felt certain he’d made that point clear, but he wanted her to know how serious he took her misbehavior.

She pushed the empty juice glass away. “I had a threatening note slipped under my door last night.”

“You did? Shit,” Daniel said.

“And she’s had harassing phone calls before then, including one tonight. And she didn’t call the police. And she didn’t tell me about it until after I punished her for being late, dressed, and the multiple ‘fuck yous,’” Jeff said before she could continue.

She cut her eyes at him. “I’m sorry, Sir. I thought you wanted me to tell what happened.”

Jeff shrugged. “I’m an impatient bastard.”

Her mouth opened as if she was going to say something, but at the last minute, she closed it.

“Learned your lesson, I see?”

“I decided I’d prefer flogging, subspace, and screaming orgasms as opposed to just screaming. Sir.”

“You’re assuming my hands will be on you again in the future.”

“I assume nothing.” But her eyes had darkened and her nipples grew hard under his shirt.

He fisted his hands, and his cock hardened at the subtle suggestion. He was fighting a losing battle. As long as he stayed in Delaware, he knew it would be only a matter of time before he took her again. Unfortunately, plans had changed in the last few hours.

Daniel cleared his throat. “I’ll let you guys stay in the guesthouse tonight so you can work this out privately, but can we go back to the note?”

Dena’s head snapped up as if she’d forgotten other people were in the room. “I have a pretrial Monday morning. The only thing I’m working out this weekend is opening arguments.” She narrowed her eyes at Jeff. “And I’ll do it privately.”

He walked to where she sat and looked down at her. “This from the woman who two minutes ago said she assumed nothing.”

“That was in regard to you and me.”

“As of two hours ago, anything pertaining to you also pertains to me.”