“He didn’t seem as mean,” she says, flushing. “Am I allowed to say that?”
I school my features with effort. I want to laugh out loud. “No,” I tell her. “You do need to watch what you say about him. He’s different around my mam, though. Very different.”
“I’ve noticed,” she says quietly. “And I’m sorry.”
“My father is a harsh, exacting man,” I tell her when we reach the landing. “But he’s fair and loyal, and no one is allowed to say a word against him. Including you.”
She frowns and doesn’t reply.
“Respond correctly, Caitlin,” I instruct.
She looks at me with challenge in her eyes, and it surprises me at first that she doesn’t do what I ask. She was docile as a lamb over dinner. Now she’s choosing to be defiant?
I release her elbow, swing her out in front of me, and slam my palm against her arse. I won’t allow her to look at me that way, to challenge me.
She yelps but tightens her jaw and doesn’t speak.
“I said, respond correctly,” I admonish.
“Yes, sir,” she finally says tightly, yanking her arm from me.
“Did you forget what it felt like to be punished, Caitlin?” I ask her. “Would you like me to refresh your memory?”
I want her to give me a reason, so I can feel what it’s like to wield my power over her once more.
Her eyes cloud, and she shakes her head. “No,” she whispers, before she amends, “I’m sorry, sir.”
I take her into my room and bring her to the side of the bed. “Off with your clothes,” I tell her. “You’ve a nightgown hanging in the jacks. It’s what you’ll wear to bed when you sleep tonight.”
“Jacks?”
“Bathroom,” I growl impatiently.
She looks at the bathroom, then back to me, but doesn’t argue. She prepares for bed in silence, and I watch every moment as she undresses herself. God, but she’s gorgeous. I don’t touch her, though. I don’t make a move.
I strip my own clothes off and prepare for bed myself, when my phone rings.
Bradley. “Yeah?”
“I need a handwriting sample from Caitlin, please.”
“Alright,” I say. I take down the details he wants me to get and beckon her over to the desk. “Come here and write this.” I point to the table.
She scowls but obeys. I take the scrap of paper, fold it, and place it on the bedside table.
“Now sleep,” I order, folding down the blanket and pointing to the bed.
“Where… where will you sleep?”
I raise a brow to her. “In my bed.”
“And… and where will I sleep?”
I repeat, “In my bed.”
She furrows her brows together. “Alright.” She doesn’t say anything else, but I can tell she wants to. She climbs under the covers, keeping herself at the very edge of the bed. I’m exhausted and don’t fight this. When I’m ready, I climb into the other side of the bed and shut the lights.
“We’ve guards outside these doors and bars on the windows. Surveillance cameras over every inch of this property. So don’t try it, Caitlin.”
She doesn’t respond. I soon realize it’s because she’s already fast asleep. I check my texts and finish my business, ignoring my conscience that plagues me for being an arsehole. I can’t grow complacent or too soft with her, though. Finally, I place my phone on the bedside table. Soon, I join her in sleep.
I wake early in the morning when my phone buzzes. It’s still dark outside the window. I glance at the time on my phone.
Six a.m. Who the fuck is calling me this early?
“Hello?”
“Sorry to wake you, sir. Did I call too early?”
“Wee bit, Bradley.” I say gruffly, walking away from the bed so I don’t wake Caitlin. If he’s calling me this early, he must have news for me.
“You find something?”
“Lots, sir. You’ll want to see this.”
“Meet me in the foyer,” I instruct. “When can you be here?”
“I’m outside your front door.”
I disconnect the call and throw on a pair of joggers and a t-shirt. Caitlin stirs. I walk to her, lift the blanket, and tuck it in around her. I want to stay. I want to wake her with a kiss and show her the sweet, sweet secrets of her body. What I could do to her…
With reluctance, I leave. One of my guards is slouched over by the door. Feckin’ hell.
I shove him, and he nearly topples over. “Sleeping on the job?” I ask curtly. “I’ve got a woman in there I want kept safe. Hey, you.” I point to the second man who stands at attention. “You’re in charge.” I take the sleepy guard by the back of the shirt and shake him. “And you are dismissed.”
“Sir!” he protests. “Please don’t. I need this job!”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Then you should’ve taken said job seriously. Leave. Immediately.”
I report that I’ve fired him to Carson. “Have Cormac escort him off the property,” I tell him.