“Trash can’s his new favorite toy,” Nathaniel explained.
“That explains the smell.” I passed him to Nathaniel. “He needs a bath.”
“Linda will be here in about fifteen minutes. She’s going to keep them until tomorrow night.”
Had he made the arrangement with his aunt because he didn’t want them around for what he had in mind? The penthouse didn’t have a playroom. Before me, he’d never brought a woman to this space and we had never seen the need to add a special room. He’d always brought a toy bag with him when we stayed in the city.
I was more subdued as we all walked to the kitchen. Elizabeth chatted about the tea party she’d had last night and how Henry wanted to eat all the cookies. Of course at the word “cookie,” Henry pulled on Nathaniel’s leg and said, “Please.”
“Not so early in the day,” Nathaniel replied.
They all sat at the table with me while I ate and Nathaniel made sure I drank plenty of water. Even though he had been easy-going and lighthearted, there was an underlying tension between us. Faint, but there nonetheless. I might feel better physically after last night, but mentally there were still issues we had to deal with.
Nathaniel felt it too, I could tell. He was jovial and playful with the kids, but the tension in his jaw and the rigidity of his spine belied the front he put on. It was still noticeable when Linda came by. She didn’t question anything, but gave us each a quick hug before gathering the kids and heading out.
The silence that hit me when the door closed behind them was louder than the kids had been.
Nathaniel brushed my cheek. “Come to my office in ten minutes. You can leave the robe on if you prefer.”
What followed had to be the longest ten minutes of my life. After he left, I cleaned my bowl and tidied up the kitchen. With two minutes remaining, I slipped out of the robe and walked to his office wearing only my panties and a bra.
He stood leaning against his desk and nodded to the floor in the middle of the room. Everything felt so cold as I slid to my knees, bowed my head, and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
His office floor was made of wood and it didn’t take long for my knees to start aching. Within minutes, they hurt as much as my head. All of which he knew, I was certain.
“Look at me,” he finally said and I lifted my eyes to meet his troubled ones. “What happened last night scared the hell out of me. I can’t imagine how it made you feel. You went through something I never wanted you to experience and though neither one of us probably want to, we have to discuss it.” He nodded toward the chair across from his desk. “Go sit down.”
He remained standing, watching as I crossed the room to do his bidding.
“Even without your collar on, are you still my submissive?” he asked when I’d sat down.
“Yes, Sir.” I wasn’t wearing his collar, so I didn’t have to call him anything. Yet, somehow doing so seemed appropriate.
“When we go to a BDSM club together, who protects you?”
“You, Sir.”
“And how am I to protect you when I’m not there?”
“You can’t, Sir.”
“Exactly. Outside of the fact that you are mine and any Dominant wanting to interact with you has to obtain my permission, you are truly my only treasure, my beloved, my life. I would kill to keep you safe and I can’t do it if I’m not with you.”
Tears stung my eyes.
“If it hadn’t been for Jeff last night, you would have been assaulted. That man would have put his hands on you, hurt you, and done things I have nightmares about. And the entire time it was happening, I couldn’t stop him because I wouldn’t have known to.”
I sniffled. “I’m sorry, Sir. I understand I should have called.”
“You were wrapped up in yourself and didn’t think about the consequences your actions could have had.”
“Yes, Sir. I see that.”
He sighed. “I’m torn on what to do. I should cane you for going to a club without my permission. You know better. I understand that you didn’t know that woman was bringing you there. But let’s make one thing clear to start: You are not to interact with any Dom inside a club without getting my approval. You know this.”
I started trembling at the mention of a cane. I fucking hated those things when used for punishment. And he was right. I had known better.
“But you were nearly assaulted and I can’t find it within me to punish you corporally after such an incident.”