Chapter 2
Ruby
Her blood heated in her veins, even before he touched her. Now that the water had warmed up a bit, she wasn’t quite as pissed.
And, really, she’d had it coming.
That didn’t mean she couldn’t retaliate, at least a bit. Putting on her best, most apologetic pout, she reached for the hem of her pajama shirt. “I’m really, really sorry, Daddy.”
Judging by the way his eyes narrowed, Beckett wasn’t buying her apology for a minute. “You can show me you’re sorry by doing as you’re told. Clothes off, hands on the wall, bottom out.”
There wasn’t much wiggle room in that particular order, but it didn't mean she couldn’t make him suffer at least a little bit. With her eyes locked on his, she dragged her tank top over her head, letting her breasts swing free. And, as she’d expected, watched his eyes flare with need.
Sliding her hands up her torso, she cupped her breasts and let out a low, needy whine she knew would drive him mad. “Have I been a naughty girl, Daddy?”
“You know you have. And this little routine isn’t going to work. You’re still getting your ass spanked red before I fuck you up against the wall. Whether or not you’re allowed to come depends entirely on how quickly you follow my instructions.”
Dammit. She was willing to test him on a lot of things, but threatening her orgasm privileges was a surefire way to win her obedience.
Stripping out of her shorts, she tossed them to the side and turned away from him, her heart pounding against her chest as she braced her hands on the cool tile.
“That’s my pretty girl.” His crooning praise slid over her like a caress, followed by the actual touch of his hand on her bare skin.
Just enough to tease the senses and have her pussy clenching emptily, as if anticipating the moment his cock would finally fill her.
“You know, we could have started this morning entirely differently. I could have woken you up with my tongue, made you come until you were begging for mercy. And then you could have enjoyed a nice leisurely bubble bath while you drank the coffee Daddy was planning to make for you.”
Well, damn. That actually sounded pretty amazing. “It’s not too late for the bath and the coffee.”
“I'm afraid it is entirely too late for that, naughty girl. Keep those hands on the tile unless you want me to get really mean.”
She really didn’t have any desire to find out what was meaner than waking her up with freezing cold jets of water, so she would definitely be keeping her hands where they were.
The first swat stung more than she’d expected, probably because her skin was so thoroughly soaked. But the brat in her didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it hurt, so she swallowed the squeal that threatened to bubble up in response.
Her resolve only lasted through a few more stinging swats, however, before the first whining protest slipped free. “Ow, Daddy! That hurts!”
Low, wicked laughter echoed around her. “Good. You knew damn well when you decided to pull your little prank last night that you were going to get your bottom spanked for it. Far be it from me to deny my babygirl what she went out of her way to earn.”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking! I was drunk!”
Tears stung her eyes as the swats moved lower, targeting that sensitive area where thigh and ass met. “Is that an excuse for breaking the rules in this house, little girl?”
“It could be, if you weren't so mean.”
To her surprise, the spanking immediately ceased. “Oh, I’m mean, am I?”
There was an undercurrent to his words that had her freezing in place as his hands gripped her hips and the blunt head of his cock pressed between her soaked lips. “I, um, well you are,” she managed to stutter out as he stretched her, filled her the way only he could.
“Hmm. Well, a really mean Daddy wouldn’t let you come when he fucks you.” Rocking his hips, he moved inside her, hitting that exact right spot meant to drive her wild with every shallow thrust. “So I could be very, very mean if you like.”
She might actually die if he didn’t let her come, but she wasn’t quite ready to beg just yet. “That would be”—a low moan escaped as he slid his hand over her hip, his clever fingers stroking her swollen clit—“very mean.”
“It would, wouldn’t it? But you already said I’m so mean. I think I might have to live up to that accusation.”
Fuck. He was certainly in a mood this morning. The kind of mood that could actually result in her spending the rest of the day on edge, waiting for him to decide she’d earned an orgasm if she wasn’t careful. “Daddy…”
More of those slow, rocking thrusts as he played with her clit, teasing her with pleasure as his chest rumbled with laughter. “Yes, baby? Something I can do for you?”
Sadistic bastard. “I’m sorry I called you mean. Now will you please let me come?”
“I don’t know.” His tone was casual, almost conversational, as if he wasn’t buried balls deep inside her, driving her absolutely wild with every teasing touch. “You’ve been a very naughty girl, Ruby Red. I don’t think you’ve earned it yet.”
Which meant he was going to make her beg, whether she wanted to or not.
“Please, Daddy.” Pressing her hands against the wall, she pushed back against him, desperate for more than those rocking, shallow thrusts.
“I’m sorry I called you mean and I’m sorry I was a brat. Please don’t make me wait all day.”
“You beg so pretty for me, Ruby Red.” Fingers digging into her hip, he moved faster inside her, though still not giving her quite what she needed. “Beg me some more, and I might let you come.”
Each movement was somehow too much and not enough at the same time. And with every passing second, her will fractured a little bit more, until she was helpless and aching and desperate for more of him. “Daddy, please. I’ll do anything, I swear, just please let me fucking come!”
“Anything, baby?” Again, his chest rumbled with laughter. “I’m going to hold you to that. But for now, come for me, pretty girl. Let Daddy feel that tight little pussy squeezing my cock.”
Stars exploded behind her eyes as he slammed into her, finally fucking her the way she craved. Hard enough to hurt, just enough to turn pleasure into frenzy as she spasmed around him, squeezing him with every thrust just as he’d commanded.
“Fuck, baby.” The words came out as a low, visceral groan, and his movements grew more frantic, letting her know he was close to his own peak.
And then he slammed into her one final time, emptying himself into her as they stood there, pressed against the cool tile with the jets beating against their bodies as they struggled for breath.
“My bratty little girl,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck in a move so tender and intimate it brought tears to her eyes. “I love you, Ruby Red.”
“I love you too, Bex.”
As she’d expected, pain exploded across her right asscheek and she couldn't help but giggle as he growled in her ear. “You know how I feel about that nickname, brat.”
“Why do you think I keep using it?”
“I’m starting to think I’ve been too lenient with you lately. Maybe you need your strict Daddy back.”
As if he was ever anything but strict? Even at his most laid-back, he was hands down the strictest Dom in their group.
Which was exactly the way she liked it, though it had taken her a long time to admit that, even to herself. “Maybe I do.”
“Unfortunately for both of us, we have a wedding to get to, which means my naughty girl is going to have to wait. But I’ll have plenty of time to remind you who’s in charge when we go to the club tonight.”
Excitement pounded through her veins, and even though she’d just come all over his cock, her pussy spasmed at the not-so-veiled threat. “Bring it on… Bex.”
“You are going to pay for that tonight, little girl.”
“Counting on it.”
Beckett
They were running a little behind thanks to their impromptu shower session, but that was exactly why he’d built an extra half-hour into their schedule that morning.
Ruby never could go more than a few days without needing her bottom warmed, and with all the stress of the wedding, he’d had a feeling they would both need a bit of relief before they headed to the hotel.
But even with the buffer, they were starting to hit crunch time. “Ruby! We need to leave in fifteen minutes!”
“I know, I know.” Rolling her eyes, she emerged from her closet wrapped in one of the fluffy, oversized robes he’d bought for her when she’d moved in. Her hair was still wet, and with how thick it was, he knew from experience it would take her every bit of the time they had left to dry it.
Not that it would be the end of the world if they were a few minutes late. But it gave him a reason to get mean, and his Ruby loved it when he was mean.
Rounding the bed, he captured her chin between his fingers, forcing her head back. And was rewarded with the slight widening of her eyes, the darkening of her pupils that was both fear and need as she stared up at him. “Every minute we are late is one count with the strap when we get to the club.”
A dimple flashed as she grinned. “Which strap?”
Sassy little brat. “The thick one you like to pretend you hate.”
“I do hate that one,” she whined. “It hurts like a bitch.”
“Which is why you love it.” Lowering his head, he brushed a kiss across her lips. “One count for every minute we are late leaving the house, Ruby Red. Better get moving.”
She grumbled something about ‘overbearing Doms’ as she stomped away, but it didn’t escape his notice that she wasn’t moving any faster than she had been before he’d issued his threat.
Shaking his head, he made his way over to his nightstand and pulled open the top drawer—and froze.
Shit.
“Ruby? Can you come here for a second, please?”
Poking her head out of the bathroom, she cocked an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth pulled up in a smirk. “I don’t think you can punish me if you’re the one making me late, Beckett.”
“Disagree. But this is important. When you were pulling your prank last night, did you only move the stuff in the bathroom?”
“Umm.” Her brows drew together in concentration. “I might have moved some things around in the bedroom, too. It’s kind of fuzzy.”
Double shit. “Do you remember moving anything out of my nightstand?”
“No. Why?”
“Ruby.” Fighting back the twin waves of panic and anger rising inside him, he pinned her with a look that had her eyes going wide. “I’m not messing around right now. Did you move the black boxes in my nightstand?”
The panic he was feeling was reflected in her gaze. “I-I don’t know. Why? What was in them?”
Fuck. Braden was going to murder them. Assuming Lottie didn’t get to them first.
“The rings, Ruby. Where are the rings?”