Chapter 40
Chapter forty
Sage
Barrett was quiet for the rest of the day, but he didn’t ignore me, checking on me often, stroking my skin and devouring my mouth with heated kisses. When it came time to eat, he made me crawl to the table and kneel between his knees to feed me.
I thought with so much quiet time, my mind would race and worry, but it was a relief to let it go and put myself in a different state.
I’ve avoided stress my entire life. I chose a job that gave me the freedom I crave, never putting worry into any property or client.
Everything always works out if something goes wrong.
Straightening my shoulders, I always fixed it.
I’ve never come across a problem that couldn’t be fixed, therefore there has never been a need to panic. With the exception of my sister.
But these past several weeks have drained any reserves I may have had to deal with threats from my boss and a potential client giving me the creeps. For these few hours, I was someone else. It’s been another kind of freedom I realize I need.
Barrett carries me to the bedroom, setting me on the bed. “Want to go out tonight, pet?”
I blink up at him. With our interaction at my house, I assumed I’d be locked away in here for months, and somehow I hadn’t yet gotten upset about that fact.
He cups my chin and lifts.
“I’m allowed to go out?”
“You don’t plan to run away from me.” He’s so certain, his lips lifting in one corner and his warm eyes taking in my face.
“How do you know that?”
“You realize you need this between us as much as I do. You’ve been a very good girl since we came home.”
Warmth spreads through my cheeks. Damn it, he’s right.
And his praise only helps solidify that peaceful relief washing over me by giving in.
“Where are we going?” And do I get to come before we do?
I keep that question to myself. My core still aches, but if I voice the question, he may deny me, and I couldn’t take that right now.
“Bitter Cross. I realized I haven’t been back to check on things in a while when your sister asked earlier. And I want to take you there.”
“Okay.” But his reminder of Nova hooks into the worry I have for her hovering in my chest. “I want to call Nova before we go.”
“Of course, pet. We’ll leave when you’re ready.” He turns to walk away, as if he intends to leave me like this.
I clear my throat loudly and he looks over his shoulder with a raised brow. Turning around on the bed, I wag my ass at him, making the soft tail sway back and forth. “Forgetting something?”
His face lights up as he spins back around.
“I suppose I am.” He runs his hand up my spine, putting pressure between my shoulders until I drop to the bed.
His hands roam my back, sides, and my ass, making my skin prickle and stoking the flames still aching in my core.
Tugging gently on the steel plug of the tail, he pulls it out slowly.
I gasp as it reaches the widest part. I know it isn’t a large plug, but it’s been seated inside me comfortably for so long that the stretch of the outer muscle ring is a shock.
Once the tail is out, Barrett leans over my back, his breath brushing my ear.
“Daddy’s little fox.” He nips the shell of my ear then runs his nose down my neck.
“Have a shower. There is a dress hanging up for you inside the closet door.” With a smack to my ass, he straightens and leaves before I can catch my breath.
I let out a long sigh to calm the racing pleasure in my veins and stand.
Looking around the room, I see the clothes I was wearing earlier, my purse, and the bag I packed sitting on the settee on the other side of the room.
Grabbing my purse, I pull out my phone and check for any messages.
There’s nothing, not that I really expected any.
My parents are consistent with their calls, once a week, and Nova hasn’t reached out to me first for years.
And after the last ultimatum from Liam, I don’t expect anything from him either, not until tomorrow when I don’t show up.
Hitting the call button next to Nova’s name, I put the phone to my ear and wait, pacing back and forth at the foot of the bed. I refuse to hang up until either she answers or her voicemail does. Disappointment is sharp when her voicemail chimes in, declaring Nova unavailable.
“Hi Nova. Just checking in. Call me back. Love you.”
I bring my phone with me into the bathroom in case she calls, despite knowing she won’t.
But I hold on to hope the entire time I shower, dry my hair, and apply makeup.
I feel terrible with how we left things when we dropped her off at home.
The anger in her was more emotion than I’ve seen from her in a long time, but I never intended to do anything to hurt her.
There was no fighting Barrett, and I shouldn’t have to.
I’m not trying to rub anything in her face.
But I’m not a nun, despite what she believes of me.
I call her one more time before getting dressed, letting the call ring, and ring, and ring, sighing when her voicemail answers again. This time, I don’t leave a message.
Tossing my phone on the bed, I open the closet. My eyes bug out at the dress hanging there. Satin. Daddy really does have a preference.
It’s a shiny, cream-coloured satin mini-dress with a scoop neck and flouncy skirt.
A flouncy, short skirt. Tilting my head, I reach out to touch the fabric, realizing the skirt has layers.
The innermost layer is shorts resembling loose pajama shorts, and the outer two layers are skirts.
Pulling it off the hook, I see the back is all straps similar to the dress he picked out for me for the gala.
This dress is definitely at the same level as the guests I saw at Bitter Cross when I went there to confront Barrett for the first time.
“Put it on.” His deep voice draws my attention to the door. I’m naked, and have been since drying my hair in the bathroom after my shower. My skin heats up under his attention.
Maneuvering the dress, I step into, pulling it up my body. Barrett stalks toward me. His fingers brush my back as he helps adjust all the straps in place. He tugs, tying the bottom of the straps like a lace.
Barrett reaches in front of me, closing the closet door to put the mirror in front of us.
My breath hitches. The top of the dress is slimming and daring with how low it scoops around my breasts, but the flounce flairs wide on my hips, and only my hips.
The entire length of my legs is visible and I’m grateful for the shorts beneath the skirts.
But Barrett behind me is as much of a shock. He’s chosen a black, fitted suit, with a black satin shirt beneath. He’s the opposite of me and we’re a perfect contrast against each other in the mirror.
His hum of appreciation vibrates through me as he runs the backs of his knuckles down the side of my neck, shoulder, and arm. “Daddy’s little warrior.”
“Warrior?”
He smiles. “Yes. You blackmailed an assassin, pet. And got away with it.”
“I wouldn’t say I got away with it.”
“Then what would you call this?” He sets his hands on my waist and holds me against him, meeting my eyes in the mirror.
“Maybe you’re right.” I got more out of this than I expected.
After a moment, the air between us begins to heat, but Barrett clears his throat, breaking the spell. “Did you talk to your sister?”
“No.” I shake my head. “She didn’t answer.”
“Give her time. Try again tomorrow.” His fingers squeeze and he leans down to kiss my shoulder.
A foreign emotion blooms in my chest and I suddenly realize this is what it feels like to have support. I may be his pet, controlled and treasured, but he doesn’t see me as weak. I’m his little warrior.