Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
Thorne
There's something about her today. Watching her from across the room, seeing her slender figure silhouetted against the window, I notice a wistfulness in her gaze as she stares out at the world beyond; a world she can no longer freely inhabit.
A pang of... something... twinges in my chest. Guilt?
Impossible. And yet, since getting to know her better. ..
I clear my throat. "Juno."
She turns, wariness flickering over her delicate features. I savor the sight of her, drinking in every detail.
"I've been thinking," I say carefully. "Perhaps it's time we... expanded your boundaries a bit."
Her eyes widen in surprise, hope blooming there before she can hide it. It stirs something in me, seeing that spark of life. Have I been stifling her unnecessarily?
"What do you mean?" Her voice is soft but eager.
I weigh my words. "Well, perhaps you could help with errands. Groceries, that sort of thing."
It’s not like she couldn’t leave whenever she chooses.
Sure, she signed a contract to reside here 24/7 for three weeks, but there’s nothing to stop her from walking out at any time.
In fact, the contract specifically allows for it.
Either of us can call a halt to the proceedings without having to provide reasons.
"Really?" Juno asks, her tone tinged with a dash of hope so visceral it does strange things to my chest. I push the sensation away. It’s not like she’s a captive. She agreed to this, unreservedly, and without coercion.
I nod, studying her reaction carefully. "You've been here over a week and proven yourself trustworthy so far. I think we can relax things a bit."
Her eyes light up at the prospect, and I feel that odd twinge again. Am I getting in too deep here?
She takes a step towards me, then hesitates. I can see the conflict playing out on her face - gratitude warring with suspicion. It's fascinating to observe.
"Thank you," she says, her hand fluttering. "I... I appreciate it."
I wave dismissively, as if it's no big deal. But inside, my mind is racing. Will giving her too much freedom make her believe she has some control?
And if so, why do I feel indulgent about it? It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
But then there was chess and movies and talking about anything and everything. It wasn't supposed to be like that either.
She was supposed to be my willing sex toy for twenty-one days.
I’m not supposed to care about whether she’s bored or feeling stir crazy from being cooped up in my penthouse.
It’s a damn nice place. There’s a gym and a pool with a steam room, a sauna, and a hot tub…
although they’re on a different floor, and I haven’t mentioned them to her.
Maybe I should have led with that. But it’s too late now.
I can’t go back on my word. Well, I absolutely could, but I don’t want to dwell on the reasons why I don’t want to.
"We'll start small," I tell her, instead, wanting to curb my stupid offer. "A trip to the corner store, and you’ll be no more than thirty minutes. A minute extra, and you’ll be punished.”
She tenses, her hand flying to her butt, and I fight a cringe. Yeah, that caning on her first day was way too much for a neophyte.
I try to shake off the unexpected guilt, but the truth is, I've softened since getting to know her better. I don't look at her and see a sex slave anymore.
"I'll give you a list of what we need and some cash. Your purse stays here.”
Juno nods eagerly, her eyes still shining, and I turn away, unable to look at her for a moment. What am I doing? This isn't part of the plan. But I can't deny the thrill that runs through me at the thought of her returning voluntarily, choosing to come back to me.
What the fuck am I saying. She’s being paid to be here. Of course she’s going to come back.
"When can I go?" she asks, her voice ringing with far too much excitement for such a small thing.
I glance at my wristwatch. "Now, if you'd like. But remember, thirty minutes. Not a second more."
She's already heading for the door, as I remove a few notes from my wallet, but then she stops suddenly. "I... I’m not exactly dressed for this."
Obviously not. Despite the unexpected camaraderie, I've still kept her in the obscene maid uniform, barefoot, and sans underwear, another way to reinforce my fantasy and her mindset. Now I have to make a decision.
It’s not that hard. No way I’m letting her out on the street in that outfit, and her jacket won’t cover it.
For fucks sake, why did I think this was a good idea? I should have thought it through before I opened my big mouth. But that yearning in her eyes…
Fuck!
“You may wear the clothing you arrived in for the duration of your outing, but that's all.”
I watch the relief bloom on Juno's face at my words and when she rushes to the bedroom to change, I'm left alone with my doubts. What the fuck am I doing?
But as I hear her moving around, humming happily to herself, I can't bring myself to regret it.
When she emerges again, dressed in her own clothes, I can't believe how different she looks. Gone is the submissive maid who bends to my will and allows me to debauch and degrade her however I wish, and in her place is a savvy young woman eager for a small taste of freedom. It's... unsettling.
"Remember, thirty minutes," I remind her, handing over the cash and a hastily scribbled list. Our fingers brush, and I feel an unexpected jolt, which makes no sense because I touch her all the time in far more intimate ways.
Juno nods, practically bouncing on her toes. "I won't let you down, I promise," she says, and I'm not sure how to respond to the earnestness in her voice.
As she leaves, I move to the window, watching as she exits the building and steps onto the busy street.
She pauses for a moment, taking a deep breath of fresh air, positively drinking it in, even though it’s likely just exhaust fumes and over-fried onions from a street vendor, before setting off with purpose.
I check the time and stand there long after she disappears from view, my mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. I tell myself I'm just making sure she follows through, but deep down I know it's more than that. I'm invested now, in a way I never intended to be.
The minutes tick by agonizingly slow. I pace the length of the room, my eyes darting to my wrist every few seconds. What if she doesn't come back? What if this taste of freedom makes her realize she wants out of our arrangement?
I rub my hands over my face, trying to dispel these unwelcome thoughts.
"She'll be back. She has to be, her belongings are still here.
Plus, the money alone is enough incentive, isn't it?
" Jesus, now I'm talking to myself! But a nagging voice in the back of my mind whispers that maybe, just maybe, I want her to come back for reasons beyond our contract.
Nope, not going there.
Twenty-five minutes have passed when I hear the elevator ding, but I play it cool as Juno steps out, arms laden with bags, and her face pink from the crisp air outside. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, I'm struck speechless by the radiant smile on her face.
"I'm back," she says, slightly breathless. "I hope I got all the things on the list."
I struggle to maintain my composure as I take in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. She looks... alive in a way I haven't seen before.
"Let's see, shall we?" I say, motioning her to the kitchen. As she unpacks the bags, I scan the items, impressed by her efficiency. She's managed to get everything and even remembered my preferred brands without me specifying.
"Well done," I murmur, almost to myself. Juno beams at the praise, and I feel that unwanted twinge in my chest again. "Now, change back into your uniform."
Her smile falters, but she only nods and heads to the bedroom.
I watch her go, those damn conflicting emotions churning inside my gut again.
Part of me wants to call her back, to let her keep wearing her own clothes, to see that spark in her eyes a little longer.
But I can't. I won't. This isn't about her comfort or happiness. It's about my desires, my fantasies.
Isn't it?
When she emerges in the uniform once again, I feel both satisfaction and disappointment. The submissive maid is back, but something has shifted. There's a new light in her eyes that wasn't there before.
"Thank you for letting me go out," Juno says quietly, her eyes flicking briefly towards me before dropping demurely to the floor. Damn if she’s not a natural.
I nod curtly, unsure how to respond. Part of me wants to bask in her gratitude, to let it feed my ego. But another part feels... uncomfortable. As if I've given away something I can't take back.
"Noted," I say, knowing I sound like a dick, my voice gruffer than I intend. "Now, back to your duties."
She blinks rapidly, and I know I'm probably giving her whiplash, blowing hot and cold like I am, then nods and moves to put away the groceries.
For a moment I curse myself for spoiling what she clearly considered a treat, but then I notice the slight spring in her step that wasn't there before. It's subtle, but it's there.
Rubbing at my sternum, I turn away, heading to my office.
I need to distance myself, to regain control of the situation - and my thoughts.
But as I sit at my desk, staring unseeing at my computer screen, I can't shake the image of her radiant smile when she stepped off the elevator. It haunts me, that look of pure joy on her face. Like I’d given her the world rather than some lousy trip to the corner store.
I try to focus on work, but my mind keeps drifting. The sound of Juno moving around is a constant distraction. I find I'm straining to hear her footsteps, to catch a glimpse of her as she passes by my open office door.