Chapter 29
The next fewdays were rough. Jesse worked from home, taking care of Cassie. Stephanie stopped by on Friday to bring him some papers he needed to sign, and on Sunday, Brie brought Cassie some more clothes.
He’d given Cassie and her friend some time alone, retreating to his study to check his email. Brie had stayed for about an hour and when she left, Cassie was pensive. He waited until after dinner to broach the subject. “How was your visit with Brie?”
“Good.” Cassie paused. “She told me Kaden proposed. She wants me to be her maid of honor.”
Jesse crossed his ankles and leaned against the headboard. “Kaden’s a good guy.”
“I know. He’s almost as good as you are.”
He smiled at the compliment. “Is that your way of trying to butter me up?”
“No. It’s the truth.” She paused. “Besides, why would I need to butter you up?”
Jesse had held off addressing her disobedience given her injuries, but it would have to be dealt with. She needed to understand her obligations in their relationship. “I figured you might be trying to convince me to go easy on you.”
A deep crease formed in her brow. “Easy on me?”
It had been three days since he’d found her tied to a pipe on the sixth floor. He’d made sure she’d done nothing but rest and listen to relaxing music. Jesse had contented himself with holding her and knowing she was safe. But their family doctor had cleared her. He said she could go back to work on Monday. The thought of her being out of his sight for any length of time caused him anxiety.
It wasn’t logical, he knew. She’d be fine. The threat had been removed. Or at least, the physical threat. Grayson was being charged with theft, along with several other cybercrimes. Sandy had been charged with kidnapping and assault for helping Crystal hold Cassie.
Then, there was Crystal. She’d also been charged with kidnapping and assault. During her interrogation, she’d admitted to living on the sixth floor for the last two months. She’d been having an affair with Travers, her boss. When they were both fired, he’d kicked her to the curb.
The whole thing felt like a soap opera to Jesse. He didn’t like the chaos.
Meeting Cassie’s gaze, he kept his voice firm and even. “You disobeyed me. I told you not to go to the sixth floor.”
“I didn’t.”
He raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“I didn’t.” This time, it was said with less conviction. She broke eye contact, her gaze on the sheets in front of her. “I went into the stairwell.” When he didn’t say anything, she continued. “Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have gone into the stairwell. Maybe I should have called maintenance instead of going to check it out myself. I know that now.”
“Cass, look at me.”
She lifted her gaze.
Jesse held it for a long moment before speaking. “You are mine. When we’re together, I take care of your needs. I make sure you’re safe and protected. But when I can’t be there, it’s your job to take care of what’s mine. You didn’t do that. You disregarded your own safety. You disrespected me and our relationship.”
Her eyes widened, then sadness came over her. “I didn’t mean to.” Cassie ran her teeth over her bottom lip, stretching it taut. “What happens now?”
He knew what she was asking. “I discipline you.
She swallowed. “How?”
“As this is your first offense, and you’re still healing, I thought we’d keep it simple.”
“Meaning?”
He was enjoying watching her sweat. “Tomorrow I’ll be working from home. You’ll spend the day serving me however I choose.”
“But I have work of my own to do. I should go into the office?—”
“My dad’s already brought in a temp to cover for you this next week.”
“He can’t do that.”
Jesse smirked. “He can, and he has.” Jesse didn’t go into the conversation he had with his father. They weren’t on the best of terms right now, but certain things had to be taken care of. Cassie being one of them. Her health and well-being were one thing they could agree on.
Cassie was quiet for a long moment. “You two shouldn’t be making decisions for me.”
The look Jesse gave her spoke volumes and it only took her a few seconds for what she said to register.
“I meant when it comes to my career. Jesse, you can’t make deals with my boss behind my back.”
He took her chin in his hand, holding it firm in his grasp, making sure she was focused only on him. “You are my priority. My responsibility. And right now, you need to concentrate on healing, not being my father’s gopher.”
“That’s not all I do.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He paused. “My father can function without you for a few days. Your job can be hectic sometimes. I don’t want you running around wearing yourself out.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off. “This isn’t up for debate. If you must, look at it as part of your punishment. Maybe you’ll think twice before you go looking for trouble next time. And if you keep this up, I’ll drape you over my lap and give you a reminder of who’s in charge here.”
“That’s not what I did.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree on that.” Jesse pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “I need to clean up the kitchen. I’ll be back to check on you.”
Jesse knew she was fuming when he left her, but she was going to have to work through it.
* * *
Cassie stared at Jesse’s back as he left the room. She couldn’t believe what had happened. He’d talked to his dad about her without her knowledge. Granted, it was in relation to the injury she’d sustained and her healing, but still, she should have been consulted.
Grabbing her phone, she dialed Brie.
“Miss me already?” her best friend asked.
“Always.”
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Brie had always been able to tell when something was wrong with Cassie. She’d known something had happened with Trent before Cassie had told anyone about the breakup.
“How would you feel if Kaden talked to your boss and arranged for you to take a week off? And he didn’t say anything to you about it until after.”
Brie didn’t answer right away. “I’m assuming we’re talking about Jesse and not Kaden, and considering what happened to you…”
“You don’t think it’s crossing some sort of line?”
Brie was taking all the air out of Cassie’s sails.
“No.” Brie paused. “Do you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a little?”
“I saw the way he looked at you. I think you scared him. And if having you take a week off makes him feel better, then take a week off.”
All the bluster Cassie had been feeling left her in a rush. “You’re right.”
“I’m always right.”
Cassie laughed. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.”
Placing the phone on the nightstand, Cassie climbed out of bed. The shirt she was wearing, one of Jesse’s, hit her mid-thigh as she stood. She hadn’t gotten dressed in days and there was no use doing so now even though being almost naked made her feel more vulnerable.
Normally, she wouldn’t care. She liked feeling that way when she was with Jesse, but not when she had to find him and apologize. For some reason, she wanted the protection of clothes.
She found him in the kitchen, exactly where he said he’d be. He closed the dishwasher, wiped his hands on a towel, and spotted her walking toward him.
Jesse didn’t say anything as she came to a stop in front of him. They hadn’t done anything beyond since she was injured. Not because she didn’t want to, but because he said he didn’t want to hurt her. She’d gone years without sex before she met him. Now, it seemed to be something she craved whenever he was around.
But what she was feeling now wasn’t only about sex. She’d been wrong. She’d screwed up. When he’d mentioned how he was going to punish her, her defenses had gone up. Then, at his declaration that she was going to stay home from work and spend the day serving him, she’d lashed out.
Not stopping to think about it, Cassie lowered herself to the floor, kneeling in front of him. “I’m sorry, Sir. I shouldn’t have said those things. I know you’re trying to take care of me.”
His fingers grazed over her hair, avoiding the still sensitive area on her head. He didn’t say anything, so she rested her head against his leg, her face almost even with his crotch. It was strange. Before she’d met him, she would have found this position humiliating. Now, it somehow felt right, comforting.
He continued to stroke her hair. The dishwasher hummed in the background, adding to the feeling of contentment she felt.
For years she’d tried to find her footing, her place. Who knew her place would be kneeling at Jesse’s feet?
As they continued to stand in the kitchen, the bulge in his pants began to grow. It was impossible to miss.
She pressed her lips against his growing erection and his fingers flexed. “Cass,” he warned.
“Yes, Sir?” Her voice was full of an innocence she didn’t feel.
“The doctor said you needed rest.”
“He said to rest for three days. It’s been three days.” She pressed another kiss to his now fully erect cock. “I miss you.” Her words were whispered, but he’d heard them.
Before she knew it, she was being lifted off her feet and carried to the couch. He set her down and turned her to face away from him. “Kneel on the couch and brace yourself against the back. I don’t want you to hit your head while I fuck you.”
Heat flooded through her at his words and she did as he asked.
The sound of his zipper being released sent a shiver of anticipation through her. She heard foil being ripped open and knew he was putting on a condom. He’d asked her to go see her doctor about birth control, but she hadn’t gotten around to it. Yet another way she was failing as his submissive. She’d have to do better. He deserved better.
Without preamble, Jesse moved between her legs. He pushed her panties to the side and pressed the tip of his cock against her sex. Something inside her came alive, a primal feeling of connection. “Please, Sir. I need you.”
He placed both hands on her hips and thrust his hips forward. His cock sank into the depths of her pussy, filling her in the most delicious way. Tears pricked her eyes as he plunged into her again and again. Not because she was in any physical pain, but because she finally realized what he’d been trying to say to her earlier. She was his. His to take. His to love. His.
But what she hadn’t realized at the time was that he was hers as well. She had caused him pain by disobeying him. Pain that was purely her fault.
Jesse’s arms wrapped around her, pulling her torso up to rest against his. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “Shh, baby. I’ve got you.”
That only made the tears stream down her cheeks faster.
His thrusts slowed. “Sir, don’t stop. Please.”
Jesse nuzzled her neck as he continued his steady movements, holding her tight. “You’re mine,” he whispered in her ear. “Mine. Now and always.”
“Yours.”
He trailed one hand down her front until his fingers found her clit. “Come for me, Cass.”
She felt the energy building, coiling as he played with her. When her orgasm hit, she felt it deep in every muscle…down to her bones.
Pain radiated from where she’d hit her head, but it was secondary to the pleasure she felt. She could handle the pain.
Jesse grunted twice before giving one final thrust and letting go, his own climax rocking him as he clung to her.
“You’re moving in with me,” he said as soon as he’d caught his breath again. It wasn’t a question. He was making a declaration.
He cupped her cheek, turning her head so he could look at her. The evidence of her tears marred her face, and he brushed them away.
His lips captured hers in a way that had her wanting him all over again. “I need to go clean up,” he said after breaking the kiss.
A whine escaped her throat before she could stop it.
He smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll be right back. I promise. Make yourself comfortable on the couch while I’m gone.”
True to his word, Jesse returned within a few minutes. He’d removed his clothes, which was fine with her. She was kind of hoping he’d be willing to go again in the not-too-distant future.
Jesse snatched a blanket from the ottoman before joining her on the couch. He eased behind her, covering them both in the blanket before gathering her in his arms. “Are you hurting anywhere?”
“My head’s pounding a little, but it was worth it.” She ran her fingers over his lips. “You’re going to have to meet my dad soon. Especially if we’re going to be living together.”
“As soon as things settle down here, we’ll arrange it.”
Cassie’s gaze met his. “When you talked to your dad, did you also talk about Crystal?”
His lips pressed together in a hard line. “He wants a DNA test.”
“That’s a good idea.” Cassie paused. “How’s your mom taking it?”
“Better than I am. She knew about the affair.”
“And she chose to stay with him.”
Jesse sighed. “Yes.”
Silence lingered in the condo with each one of them lost in thought. “What are you going to do?”
He shook his head. “There’s not much I can do. If she’s my sister, then I’ll deal with it once the test results come back. If not…”
Jesse didn’t say the words, but Cassie knew the implication. If this was a ploy, a way to try and drive a wedge between the family, then Jesse and his family would use their resources to make sure she received the harshest punishment possible.