Page 18 of Dark Holiday

She gives an adorable humph before crossing her arms. “No. I want to hear what Cindy has to say. It all sounds so exciting!”

“Little girl. I will get my belt.”

“Please?”

“Do you want corner time?”

I stand there, eyes going back and forth between the two. What used to be sweet is now a knife to the gut. How many times have I wanted it to be me? I didn’t care as much because there was no way I’d find a Daddy, and yet, being under Daniel’s control just makes the craving even worse.

“I will count to ten. If you don’t get into your corner, I’ll put you there myself. Clamps and all. One.”

“But Daddy!”

“Two.”

“Please!”

“Three.”

She scampers on, face pulled down into a pouting frown. Sighing, Ryan turns back to me before rubbing his hand down his face. “Are you okay?”

“Me?” I bark out, the sound false to my own ears. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“I remember how devastated you were, and now he’s buying you clothes?”

“Look. It’s not what you think. His law firm is pretty prestigious, and he wants me to look the part.”

“And that’s all?”

He shoots me ‘the look,’ and I squirm a bit. Ryan is not my Daddy, but he’s done everything he can to make sure I’m looked after. I hate lying to him like this, but there’s no way he could understand. How can he, when even I’m trying to figure it out?

“I saw the bags, Cin. Several were lingerie. That doesn’t sound like a professional relationship.”

“He hasn’t touched me, I swear. I think he knows that I’m too poor to buy stuff myself and wanted to help out.”

Ryan crosses his arms and looks down his nose at me. “Please be careful. You were a wreck last time you tangled with him.”

“I will. I promise. Can I please go to bed now? I’m exhausted and have to be up early.” Nodding, he scoops me in for a warm hug before letting me go.

“Make sure you play some loud music tonight if you don’t want to hear Brittany getting her ass whooped.”

Chuckling, I take my coat and bag into my room and sit on the bed. Brittany has already organized all the clothes for me, taking some of the guesswork out. Pulling down a simple outfit, I lay it on the bed, take a picture, and wait for his response.

Asshole Boss: Pair it with the lavender bra and panty set, and you’ll be set for work tomorrow. Drink at least two cups of water, then get to sleep. I need you bright-eyed in the morning.

Me: Yes, Sir.

Reaching for the small fridge, I pull out a bottle and take several swigs, eyeing the bag. What the hell could be in it? I open it, thrusting my hand inside. Frigid metal meets my fingertips as I curl my hand around the object and pull it out. Oh. My. God. It’s a butt plug! My shocked reflection shines back up at me as I turn it this way and that.

Along with the plug is a small bottle of lube. At least Daniel’s considerate enough for that. Digging back down, my fingers brush against a small piece of paper. I pull it out, his thick, scrawled penmanship filling the space.

This is for that naughty little asshole of yours. I won’t make you wear this, but if you feel the need to atone for any wrongdoing, force this past that tight ring of yours and wear it as you litter the air with your apologies. Do please let me know if you need the next size up.

I stare back down at the plug. Should I wear this now? Would it actually ease the guilt of lying to Ryan? I weigh the small bit of metal in my hands, turning it about until I look at the base. It’s a bright, green emerald. I guess I am a viper. Dishonest or not, I won’t be putting this anywhere near my ass. He’ll have to order me to do it himself.

As I undress, I look at it again, glittering up at me from my covers. Who in the hell does he think he is to ask this of me? Hasn’t he already gone further than either of us needed to? Scooping all of it up, I take it to one of my drawers and hide it under my mass of panties. Pulling out the set he wants for tomorrow, I make sure everything is set before burrowing under the covers in a pathetic attempt at sleep.

CHAPTER 10