Chapter Nine #2
If he sees my arousal, he doesn’t mention it. Instead, he raises his hand and brings it down in a fast, furious rhythm covering every inch of my exposed bottom and upper thighs. I forget about the arousal as the pain of his lesson settles in.
“I need you to be the best version of Holly you can be. You are mine and I take care of what is mine. It’s important to me that you stay healthy and safe, baby girl.
The thought of you being alone and fainting and hitting your head from not eating or being stranded on the side of the road in the elements, scares me. ”
I bury my face in the couch cushion, tears pricking at my eyes and not from pain, but from the overwhelming rush of emotions. He cares. He really cares.
The spanking continues, each swat a little harder, a little more insistent, until my breath comes in little sobs and my bottom feels like it’s on fire. But through it all, his other hand never leaves my back, his touch a constant anchor.
Finally, he stops. His palm cups my heated flesh, squeezing gently. “All done, sweetheart.”
I stay draped over his lap, my chest heaving, my skin tingling. He helps me up, pulling me onto his lap and cradling me against his chest. His fingers brush through my hair, his voice a low rumble.
“You did so well, baby girl. I’m so proud of you.”
I melt into him, my arms wrapping around his waist. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I know, Holly. And I forgive you. But remember, my rules are there to keep you safe. Understood?”
I nod, sniffling. “Understood, Daddy.”
His hand slides down to cup my bottom, making me yelp at the lingering sting. “Good girl. Now, we have a couple other things to talk about.” My eyes widen. Surely, I didn’t break any other rules? "Not like that.”
"I'm listening."
"Thursday's HR meeting. They're going to ask questions. About how the relationship started, whether there's been any favoritism, how we plan to maintain professionalism."
"What do I say?"
"The truth. That we got snowed in, we talked, we realized there was something real between us. That we're disclosing it properly and we're committed to keeping work and personal separate."
I nod. "What if someone complains? Another employee?"
"Then HR will investigate. But as long as we're honest and professional, there's nothing to find."
"You've really thought this through."
"I think through everything." He brushes hair from my face. "But Holly, I need you to understand something. This might get uncomfortable. People will talk. Some might assume you're getting special treatment."
"Are they wrong?"
"Yes. You earned your position before we ever got together. And you'll continue to earn it." His voice is firm. "At work, I'm your boss. That doesn't change. I won't give you preferential treatment, and I won't go easy on you."
"I don't want you to."
"Good." He shifts me slightly. "But outside of work, you're mine.
And I take care of what's mine. Tonight, you received a reminder of who's in charge and what I expect.
" He traces the line of my jaw. "Next time, I might make you sit on your sore bottom and eat a proper meal while I watch. Maybe if you aren’t taking care of your health, I’ll put you to bed early for a week.
Maybe—" his hand slides to my hip, grips firmly.
"I’ll put you over my knee again and remind you that someone cares enough to correct you. "
My breath catches. "I don’t think you’ll ever have to do that again.”
He chuckles. “I’ll have to do it again, I’m sure. If you need it and only if you understand it’s coming from a place of care and not anger. You always have your safeword.”
I search his face. "Have you done this before? The spanking part? I know you’ve been in this dynamic but…"
"Yes. But not often. Most of the time, the threat was enough." He cups my face. "You're perfect for me, Holly. You want to please me and you do, just by being yourself. The structure I’m providing helps you, doesn't it?"
"Yes," I admit quietly. "It makes me feel... secure."
"Exactly. That's the point." He kisses my forehead. "But I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"If it's ever too much, if I'm too controlling, too strict, too anything, that you’ll tell me. You use your safe word if you need to. You don't just... endure it because you think you should or you think it’ll make me happy. I won’t ever be disappointed in you for using your safeword, but I will be very disappointed if you needed to and didn’t. "
"I promise."
"Good girl."
We sit like that for a while, his arms around me, my head on his shoulder. The house is quiet except for the soft sound of our breathing.
"Can I ask you something?" I say eventually.
"Always."
"What happened? With the woman before me. Your ex."
He's quiet for so long I think he's not going to answer. Then: "Her name was Catherine. We met at a business conference. She was smart, successful, seemed to have her life together. We started dating. Eventually she told me about her interest in this dynamic."
"And?"
"And for a while, it worked. She liked the structure I provided. She loved feeling spoiled and the attention I gave her. But when things got real, when she actually had to be vulnerable, she couldn't do it. She'd say she wanted one thing but pull away when I gave it to her. She enjoyed the fantasy of the dynamic but didn’t like the reality of it. To her, it was all about sex and I needed more. She liked to roleplay and to switch the power exchange on and off. I can’t do that. I can’t be someone I’m not. "
"What did you do?"
"Tried to fix it. I tried to give her space to figure out exactly what she wanted.
Tried to gain control of the situation, while also making it comfortable enough for her.
" He exhales. "But you can't fix something with someone who doesn't want it to work.
Eventually, she left. Said I was too intense, too demanding. "
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It taught me something important."
"What's that?"
"That I can't do this halfway. I need someone who's all in. Who wants the structure and control of having a Daddy Dom. Someone who is able to be vulnerable with me. Who trusts me enough to let go." He tilts my chin up. "Someone like you."
My eyes prick with tears. "I'm all in."
"I know. That's why this works."
He kisses me then, deep and slow and thorough, his hand fisting in my hair, holding my head tight. I melt into him, let him lead, and it feels like coming home. It feels so right.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard.
"Stay," he says. "Tonight. I'll take you to work in the morning."
"Is that a question or a command?"
"Both."
I smile. "Then I'll stay."
The air between us is thick, charged with something more than just the heat of the moment. It’s trust. It’s us.
I pull back just enough to meet his gaze, my fingers trembling as I trace the line of his jaw.
“I’m all in,” I whisper again, because I need him to know, to feel it.
His eyes darken, his breath hitching as I sink to my knees in front of him.
The carpet is soft beneath me, but my skin is still hot, still sensitive from his touch.
I reach for his belt, my fingers fumbling with the buckle, the zipper.
He watches me, his hand tangling in my hair, guiding me without words.
When I free him, he’s already hard, already throbbing.
I lick my lips, my pulse racing as I take him in my mouth.
His groan is low, rough, his fingers tightening in my hair as I hollow my cheeks, my tongue swirling around the tip.
I love the way he tastes, the way his breath catches, the way his hips twitch when I take him deeper.
He might be in control but in this moment, with his hard cock throbbing between my lips? I’m definitely the one in charge.
“Fuck, Holly,” he growls, his voice strained. “Just like that, baby girl.”
I moan around him, the vibration making him shudder.
His grip on my hair tightens, his hips rolling just a little, just enough to let me know he’s close.
I can feel it in the way his muscles tense, the way his breath comes faster.
I want to make him lose control. I want to be the reason he falls apart.
But before he can, he pulls me off with a sharp inhale. “Enough,” he says, his voice rough. He helps me to my feet, then turns me around, pressing my hands to the couch. “Stay just like that.”
I obey, my heart pounding as I hear him kick off his pants, the rustle of fabric.
Then his hands are on my hips, his cock pressing against me, hot and insistent.
He doesn’t tease. He doesn’t make me wait.
He pushes inside me in one smooth thrust, filling me completely, and I cry out, my fingers curling into the upholstery.
“You feel so good,” he groans, his hands gripping my hips as he sets a relentless pace. Each snap of his hips sends a jolt of pleasure through me, the sting of my spanking mixing with the heat of him inside me. It’s too much and not enough all at once.
“Daddy,” I whimper, my voice breaking. “Please—”
“I’ve got you,” he promises, his hand reaching around to circle my clit, his fingers working in tight, demanding circles. “Come for me, baby girl. Now.”
And I do. My orgasm crashes over me, my body clenching around him, my cry muffled against the couch. He follows with a groan, his release spilling inside me, his body shuddering against mine.
For a long moment, we stay like that—him still buried inside me, his chest pressed to my back, his breath warm against my neck. Then he pulls out gently, helping me to my feet. My legs are unsteady, my body still buzzing, but he’s there, his arm around my waist, steadying me.
“Come on, sweetheart,” he murmurs, leading me toward the bathroom. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
The shower is already running by the time we step inside, steam filling the air.
He guides me under the spray, his hands sure and gentle as he lathers the soap, washing every inch of me.
His touch is thorough, almost reverent, as he cleans between my legs, his fingers lingering just long enough to make me shiver.
Then he’s washing my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp, the scent of his shampoo wrapping around me. I lean into him, my eyes closed, my body pliant. He rinses the suds away, his hands cradling my face as he tilts my head back, making sure every last trace is gone.
“There,” he says softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “All clean.”
I open my eyes, meeting his gaze. There’s something in his expression, something tender and fierce all at once. “I love you,” I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them. It’s too soon but I can’t help the way I feel.
His breath catches. He cups my face, his thumb brushing over my bottom lip. “I love you too, Holly. More than you know.”
He kisses me then, slow and deep, the water cascading over us, washing away everything but this moment, this feeling. Our connection. I’ve never felt more cherished.
When we finally step out of the shower, he wraps me in a towel, drying me off carefully.
He lowers one of his shirts over my body, and I laugh as it falls to my knees.
Then, the same hands that turned my ass red are tenderly brushing my hair.
Then he leads me to his bed, pulling back the covers and tucking me in before sliding in beside me.
Later, lying in his bed beside him, I check my phone one last time before sleep.
Madison: How's dinner?
Me: Perfect. I'm staying over.
Madison: STAYING OVER?!?
Lily: She's moving FAST.
Chloe: She's moving at exactly the right pace for her.
Amber: Get it girl.
Maya: Just be safe.
Emily: Sending all the good vibes!
Me: I'm happy. Really, really happy.
Madison: That's all we want.
I set the phone down and turn into Justin's warmth. He pulls me close, kisses my temple.
"Your friends approve?" he murmurs.
"They're cautiously optimistic."
"I'll win them over."
"You sound very confident."
"I am. I'm good at winning people over when I need to."
"Is that what you did with me? Won me over?"
"No." He's quiet for a moment. "You won me over. I'm just trying to keep up."
My chest tightens with an emotion too big to name. I burrow closer, breathing him in.
"Justin?"
"Mm?"
"I love you." This time it was intentional.
His arms tighten around me. "Good. Because I love you too."
I fall asleep wrapped in his arms.