Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
I wake up in Sean's bed, sunlight streaming through half-closed blinds. For a moment, I just lie there, savoring the warmth of the expensive sheets and the lingering scent of him on the pillow. The space beside me is empty, but I can hear the faint sounds of movement downstairs, Sean's already up and about, of course. The man probably schedules his heartbeats.
Last night was... incredible. After our conversation and that delicious punishment-turned-reward session, Sean had carried me to his bedroom and shown me exactly how thorough he could be in every aspect of his life.
I stretch, feeling the pleasant soreness in muscles I'd forgotten I had, and smile to myself. Who knew my uptight, rule-obsessed client would turn out to be the embodiment of my deepest fantasies? I’m exhausted. We stayed up into the early morning having sex. He flipped me over and spanked my ass until I cried out in pain, before entering me from behind. Reaching his hand around my stomach, he’d flicked my clit as he fucked me and I’d come so hard, I could barely sit up after. It was nearing three AM when we’d finally collapsed together.
The bedside clock reads 7:15 AM. Practically midday by Sean's standards. I slip out of bed and pull on his discarded shirt from last night, the soft cotton hanging to mid-thigh. In the adjoining bathroom, I wince at my reflection. My hair is a tangled pink mess, yesterday's mascara smudged beneath my eyes. I do my best to freshen up, using Sean's expensive toothpaste with my finger and splashing water on my face.
Downstairs, I find Sean in the kitchen, fully dressed in crisp slacks and a button-down, making coffee. Lucky lies at his feet, looking up adoringly when he places a small piece of bacon on the floor for him.
"I thought Lucky wasn't allowed people food," I tease from the doorway.
Sean turns, his eyes warming as they take in my appearance. "Special occasion," he says, crossing to me and pressing a coffee mug into my hands. "You look good in my shirt."
"Better than you?" I ask innocently.
"Different," he counters, bending to kiss me briefly. "Definitely better. Morning."
"Good morning, Daddy," I murmur against his lips, enjoying the way his eyes darken at the title.
He steps back, maintaining control as always. "Breakfast will be ready in five minutes. How do you like your eggs?"
"Over easy," I reply, lifting myself onto one of the kitchen stools. "Do you always make breakfast for your overnight guests?"
"Only the ones who train my dog," he says dryly, returning to the stove.
We eat breakfast at the kitchen island, the domesticity of it all both strange and comfortable. Sean reads news on his tablet while I scroll through messages on my phone. Lucky sits patiently beside Sean's stool, hoping for more bacon scraps.
"I have some work to do today," Sean says, setting his tablet aside. "A project deadline next week that requires my attention."
"On a Saturday?" I ask, though I'm not surprised. Sean Ferguson doesn't strike me as the type to let weekends interrupt his workflow.
"The bad guys don't take weekends off," he says with a slight smile. "Neither can we."
"Very noble," I tease. "Saving America one cybersecurity breach at a time."
"Something like that." He refills my coffee cup without asking, the gesture surprisingly intimate. "You're welcome to stay, of course. The work I’m doing today isn't classified, just tedious."
"Actually, I should probably head out soon. I have appointments with other clients this afternoon." I pause, suddenly feeling awkward. "But last night was..."
"Yes," he agrees, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that makes my stomach flip. "It was. I can’t wait until we do it again, princess."
We lapse into a comfortable silence as we finish breakfast. I help him clear the dishes, moving around his kitchen with growing familiarity. When it's time for me to leave, he walks me to the door, Lucky trailing behind us.
"Same time Wednesday?" I ask, suddenly feeling shy. We've crossed a line, transformed our relationship into something new, and I'm not entirely sure how to navigate the morning after.
Sean doesn't seem to share my uncertainty. He cups my face in his hands, his touch gentle but possessive. "Yes, for training. I’m not sure I can wait that long to see you. Let’s figure out a time to get together again, soon."
"I’d like that."
He kisses me, a lingering promise of more to come. "Text me when you get home."
I float through my afternoon appointments, distracted by memories of the night before and anticipation of the evening to come. My last client of the day is Mrs. Pemberton and her yappy Pomeranian, Precious. As Precious runs through his paces (badly), Mrs. Pemberton gives me a knowing look.
"You seem different today, Jessica," she observes, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Positively glowing."
I feel my cheeks warm. "Just had a good night's sleep." Complete lie. I had nearly no sleep at all. In fact, I hope to run home and take a nap before dinner. I definitely won’t have the energy to keep up the pace we set last night on four hours of sleep.
"Mmhmm." Her knowing smirk tells me she doesn't believe me for a second. "And does this good night's sleep have a name?"
Before I can formulate a deflection, my phone chimes with a text. I glance at it automatically. Unprofessional, I know, but I can't help hoping it's from Sean.
It is.
Sean: I enjoyed last night. Can’t wait to see you again.
My heart does a little flip. "Sorry about that," I tell Mrs. Pemberton, tucking my phone away. "Where were we?"
"You were about to tell me about your new gentleman friend," she says with a grin. “The one I assume just texted you. At least, that’s what the blush on your face is saying.”
I laugh, unable to deny it any longer. "Let's just say Precious isn't the only one learning new tricks these days."