notch. “Jesus, what’s taking her so long?”
I’m about to grab her out of the bathroom when she returns. “Wow, sorry about that.”
“You’re not pregnant, are you? I swear to God, I’m not ready to call you Mommy yet.”
She slaps me playfully on the shoulder as she walks by. “God, no. You’d make an awful stepdaughter. Honestly, it was just something I ate.”
I give her a quick once over. “Okay. Are you ready? We really need to go.” I don’t explain why I’m in such a hurry, but she thankfully doesn’t pry.
“Yeah, I’m anxious to get home too.”
It’s still strange to hear her say that. Home. Technically it’s my house, but now we live together at school and at home. She’s in a better place with us, and I couldn’t be happier for her.
We get on the road, and I waste no time speeding down the highway. I debate on texting Gabriel that I will be late, but I don’t want Violet to pry.
The ride home is tense. I’m pretty sure Violet is catching on to my frayed nerves, but I keep the music loud so she doesn’t ask any questions. By the time we pull up into my driveway, I’m almost an hour late.
“Yeah…so, hey, just head in. I gotta go run an errand. Tell Dad I’ll be late, ’kay?”
She eyes me suspiciously, confirming what she already knows. There’s something up with me, and the next time we talk, she’s definitely not letting it go.
Without another glance, I take off down my driveway back onto the main road.
Dammit, I’m so late.
I’m not allowed to be late.
Timeliness and compliance. Two of his rules. I’m breaking one of them. My heart hammers inside my chest. There will be consequences. Maybe he’ll understand. It was out of my control. I tried to hurry Violet. She couldn’t possibly understand the turmoil I would succumb to by her making us late.
And now, I’m going to pay. He’s going to make sure of it, and I don’t know whether it scares me or excites me.
I speed through the streets to his large estate hidden on the outskirts of the busy city. When I enter the passcode, the gates open, and I race up the winding driveway. His house comes into view, a single light shining through the front window. I’m already removing my jacket as I park and run into the house. A shudder of fear mixed with arousal ripples down my spine when I’m not met by his large frame. He’s already downstairs waiting for me. My breath hitches at the low sound of music as I near the stairs. Andrea Bocelli is playing. His favorite melody when he’s upset. My nipples pebble as I take the steps two at a time, almost tumbling down the stairs. He will understand. It was out of my control. I remove my sweater and leggings, leaving me bare except for my white lace bra and underwear.
When I turn into the low-lit room, his back is to me. His shoulders are wound tight, a crystal glass in his hand as he stares at a piece of art hanging on the wall. “I’m sorry. It was out of my control. Violet—”
I stop mid-sentence when he turns, his eyes smoldering with discontent. “You’re late.” His words carry so much meaning, my legs weaken. I fall to the ground, my knees slamming into the marble floor, and bow my head.
“I’m sorry. We left late. Violet wasn’t feeling well, and we hit traffic.”
Gabriel eats up the space between us until the tips of his shoes are touching my knees. The tips of his fingers graze my cheek, and I lean into his palm, aching for his touch. He walks around me, the heat of his body at my back.
“You know I don’t wait, pet.”
I shiver with anticipation. I will be punished for breaking a rule. “Ga—”
A leather whip slashes across my lower back. “Who, pet?”
“Master. I’m sorry, Master.”
He bends forward, his warm breath skating along my earlobe, his deep baritone creating a storm inside my belly. “That’s better, sweet girl. Spread yourself wide for me. I want to see my beautiful cunt.”
My legs shake as I widen my stance. The warmth of his breath disappears as he moves back around me. I look up at him and make eye contact, breaking the same rule every time. I can’t help it. I’ve missed him and need to bask in his beauty.
“Always so defiant.” He reaches forward, caressing my cheek. “Sometimes, I feel like you