Chapter 29 Sydney #2
“Okay, we’re here,” Theo says, Norah babbling away in the carrier that’s strapped to his chest. Finley follows closely behind, Boner’s purple leash wrapped around her wrist as he trots beside her with his tongue hanging from the side of his mouth. “Where is the little cutie?”
“I’m right here,” Steele mutters like a jackass, and I roll my eyes playfully, ushering them inside. Theo removes his shoes and crosses the entryway, giving Steele a high-five before lifting a bright blue bag that has the words WELCOME BABY BOY printed in big block letters.
“A gift for the new dad,” he says proudly. “It’s one of my personal favorites. I know how they can be when you first bring them home. You have to get creative if you want to get shit done.”
Everyone else files inside as Steele dips his hand into the bag, pulling out a wearable carrier that’s similar to the one Norah is strapped into right now.
The entire room goes silent, not a single one of us surprised that Theo would be the giver of the world’s weirdest fucking gift.
Even Finley just shakes her head apologetically, inhaling deeply at the ridiculousness of it all.
“Uhh…thanks, man,” Steele croaks, and I actively have to swallow a laugh as it rolls up my chest. My mind wanders with visions of him wearing the thing, Angus’ furry little head sticking out from the top as they go about their daily tasks.
I doubt it’ll actually happen, but if it does, I’ll be front and center with a camera on hand so I can embarrass the absolute fuck out of him.
“Here’s a gift you’ll actually use,” Emmett grunts, handing Steele a bottle of what looks to be very expensive whiskey.
The two men exchange smiles for what I’m pretty sure is the first time ever, making my heart swell in my chest. Em is a tough egg to crack with his skepticism and overall grumpy demeanor.
He’s gotten much better since Stella came back into his life, but he definitely takes longer to warm up to people.
Seeing him show kindness to Steele after getting off to such a rough start makes me hopeful that their relationship will go beyond the football field and grow into the same bond he has with the rest of the guys.
Steele deserves a family that he can count on in Cleveland, and brothers who will have his back no matter what.
“Thank you,” Steele replies, glancing over at me with contentment in his deep brown eyes.
Fuck. I love him. Seeing him in his own space amongst some of the most important people in my life solidifies it, not that it wasn’t already crystal clear to begin with.
I need to tell him, but I certainly can’t blurt it in the middle of a crowded room—especially not before we’ve even defined our relationship.
I’d like to think he sees me as his girlfriend, but things have been so good, I haven’t wanted to complicate them by asking.
A tiny sneeze comes from the living room, and we all look over just as Angus stands on the bed and stretches like he’s been asleep for years.
Boner begins panting loudly in excitement, clearly ready to play with his friend in this new environment.
The two of them have met before, so it’s no surprise when Finley releases the clip on Boner’s leash and he enthusiastically leaps across the room to say hello.
Angus is a bit sluggish at first, but it only takes a few nudges of Boner’s nose to get him as revved up as he’s going to be for an eleven-year-old terrier with bad knees and the beginning stages of cataracts.
“That is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” Livvy laughs as both dogs pick up a toy and trot around the room. They’re already best pals, and I’m so grateful to Steele for opening his home this way, so Angus can live the happy life he deserves.
We leave the dogs to play, heading to the kitchen where Steele pulls some glasses from the cabinet and pours enough whiskey for the guys.
Thankfully, he was more prepared for impromptu guests than he let on, disappearing for a few moments and returning with two bottles of wine, a twelve-pack of sparkling water, and some cherry vodka.
The girls and I jump on that immediately, and in the next breath, we’re all raising our glasses in a toast.
“To family,” I say, my eyes flitting to where Steele stands, a sexy-as-fuck smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He winks, making my panties nearly melt clean off, echoing my sentiment with the rest of our friends before they throw their drinks back simultaneously.
He moves slower, his heated gaze lingering on me as he slowly brings his glass to his lips.
If anyone notices the tension that’s crackling in the air between the two of us, they don’t let on, seemingly unaware of how heavy I begin to breathe when he drags his tongue along the rim of the tumbler before taking a sip.
I swallow a moan, my teeth clenched against the inside of my cheek as the amber liquid works its way down his throat.
Moisture builds between my legs the longer his stare remains locked on mine, arousal racing through my veins like hot lava. The cocky smirk he’s hiding behind the glass tells me that he knows exactly what he’s doing to me, and I’m about to put an end to it right now.
Pulling my phone out, I navigate to our text thread.
ME:
You better stop looking at me like that, or I’ll have to correct you.
I hit send, watching as he pulls his own device from the back pocket of his jeans. He opens the message, reading it to himself before typing out a reply with mischief dancing behind his eyes.
STEELE:
Ooh. Punish me, Mistress. I’ve been a bad boy.
Sassy little shit.
You know what? He wants to play games? Fine.
“Steele?” I say, garnering his attention, along with everyone else’s.
I play it cool, acting as professional as possible, so they don’t suspect anything fishy while I make my request. “Could you come with me, please? It’ll be quick, I promise.
I just have an idea for a social media post, and I want to get it done before I forget.
” He knows he’s fucked by the way I run my tongue across my teeth, lifting a brow that says I dare you to defy me.
All the playfulness that was evident in his expression moments ago is nowhere to be seen, his cheeks turning a very guilty shade of red as he clears his throat.
He looks nervous.
Good.
“Sure,” he replies, following as I wordlessly make my way toward his bedroom.
If it weren’t for the muffled sounds of our friends laughing and the dogs playing in the background, I bet I’d be able to hear his thoughts with how loud they probably are.
He’s wondering if I’m being serious about correcting him, or if I used work as an excuse to get him alone for a few minutes so we could have an impromptu quickie.
If he’s hoping for the latter, he’s about to be seriously disappointed, because I came prepared for his bratty behavior.
“In,” I say, stepping aside and sweeping an arm out as he enters the bedroom. I close the door behind us, giving him an order that has him freezing right where he stands. “Hands against the wall.”
He spins, nearly losing his balance as he faces me. “Excuse me?”
I lift a brow, not loving the fact that I have to repeat myself. “Turn around and put your hands on the wall. If I have to say it again, the punishment will be a lot worse. I’ll make you scream so loud that your entire team will know I’m in here turning your ass red.”
He exhales a shaky breath, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Yes, Mistress.”
He does as he’s told, walking over to the nearest wall and flattening his palms against it.
I move slowly, allowing him to sweat it out for a bit while I find my overnight bag in the accent chair and tug on the decorative tassel.
The purr of the zipper and his accelerated breathing are the only sounds in the room as I delve around in search of the thing I’ve been dying to use on him since the night we met.
Finding the silicone cock cage, I pull it and its key from the bag, my pussy clenching around nothing in anticipation.
Chastity is something that requires the utmost trust in your domme, which is why I’ve only threatened it up until now.
But I know we’re there, and with the way he assumed he’d get away with teasing me, I think it’s the perfect time to remind him who’s really in charge.
“You’ve been very naughty, baby boy,” I scold, the deep rasp in my voice threatening to give away just how turned on I really am. But I keep my tone firm, yet calm, padding my way to where he stands across the room with his back to me.
“I’m—I’m sorry,” he replies quietly, the muscles in his back rippling when I reach out and run my fingertips over them. His head hangs forward, thighs trembling. From his body language alone, I can tell that he’s just as aroused as I am by what I’m about to do.
“Mmmm,” I hum skeptically. “I don’t think you are.
I think you like knowing that you made my cunt wet in front of all our friends.
I could’ve brought you in here and made you lick up your mess, but I don’t think that would really teach you a lesson.
Defiant boys like you need to be reminded how to behave sometimes.
Can I do that, Steele? Will you let me remind you? ”
“Yes, Mistress.” The answer is no more than a rushed whisper, as though he doesn’t trust his voice to speak any louder. The thought of bending him to my will has me ready to explode without even being touched, my lower abdominal muscles twitching as I hold back a desperate moan.
“There’s my good little sub,” I praise, using the key to open the cage before pulling it apart. It’s two pieces—a ring that goes around the cock and balls, then the actual cage itself. They secure at the base with a small lock, encasing the penis and making it impossible to get an erection.
“Because you can’t seem to control yourself, I’m putting you in chastity,” I explain, reaching around and popping the button on his jeans before lowering the zipper.
His forehead presses against the wall, a pained groan leaving his lips when I give his waistband a firm tug.
His boxer briefs follow, his thick cock already beginning to harden as I free it from the fabric.
Tension swirls in the air around us, causing a heady mixture of power and adrenaline to flow through my veins.
I love that he allows me to be in control, taking everything I have to give like he was made to do it.
“Turn around.”
He obeys, his eyes automatically finding the cage in my hand. They widen like saucers, a rough swallow moving down his throat before he licks his lips. But he doesn’t say a word, standing like a statue as he waits for me to speak again.
“Is this okay with you?” I ask softly, breaking character as I check in.
Any talk of this type of bondage has been empty threats so far, and I want to make sure he’s truly on board.
I don’t want him to do anything he isn’t one-hundred percent comfortable with, so it’s important that I have his explicit consent to continue.
“Yes,” he answers. “I’ve never done it before, though. Will it hurt?”
I shake my head. “No. You’ll be uncomfortable because it’ll prevent you from getting hard, but if it hurts, you have to tell me because that means something needs to be adjusted.
People do wear them with piercings, but I’d rather take yours out, if that’s okay.
I won’t keep you locked up long, and we can put them right back in after. Sound good?”
He nods, reaching down to unscrew one of the barbells, but I put a hand up between us, stopping him as I sink to my knees at his feet.
“No. Let me.”