Chapter 13 #2
Ella sighed, her whole body still ablaze with post-orgasm bliss. “I think I needed that.
“I know you did, dear heart.” Zee reached between her legs and removed the vibe.
“Thank you for the orgasm, Master.”
“You’re welcome.” Zee chuckled, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Maybe it’ll help you sleep.”
Her shoulder pulsated with an ache as the effect of the orgasm ebbed and she realized she didn’t tell him about Madison.
“Time to shower. Here, give me your hand.” Ella placed her hand in his and he gently pulled her to her feet.
Zee’s phone rang as they stepped into the bathroom in their bedroom.
“It’s Annie.”
“I needed to tell you something and we’ve got to tell them, I guess,” her stomach twisted in nerves.
“After our shower. We’re lucky we have a shower bench. You sit right there and I’ll wash you.”
Ella shook her head, the reality of only having the use of one arm hitting her all over again.
“Zee, I can take care of myself.”
“I’m not going to entertain that nonsense. They said you can shower without the sling in a couple of days. Sit, Ella.”
She stepped into their walk-in shower and her smarting ass finally got relief as she settled on the cool marble bench.
“Feel good, eh?” Zee grinned as he tossed his shirt over his head, revealing his toned muscles and chest peppered with white hair.
He stepped out his jeans and tossed them in the hamper.
How many mornings had they started their day like this? Except Ella would be standing where Zee was now, waiting for him to take his seat and often she’d be on her knees. How was she going to manage everything she had to do with one arm?
She shook away her tears, not wanting to feel sorry for herself.
You just get on.
It’s the mentality that served her well all these years and the one she learned growing up on the farm.
Whatever came your way, you rolled up your sleeves, dove in and just got on with it.
“Too cold?” Zee sprayed her shoulder with water, so lightly Ella giggled.
“No, I barely felt it. Warmer please and more pressure.”
“If you insist.” Zee gave her a sly smile, positioning the handheld between her legs.
“Zee!” The spray of water on her clit almost made her come again.
He adjusted the water, then very slowly soaped up her sponge and cleaned her, starting at her legs.
He kissed her knee, as he glided the sponge up her calves and in between her thighs.
The tenderness and the care, the light teasing, made her melt even more.
“Thank you, Master.”
“You’re welcome. I have to look after my slave,” Zee brought the sponge up, under breasts, lifting them and then kissing her nipples gently, his soft teases making her shimmer with need but he drew the sponge along every part of her, her thoughts slowed down, drifted as the warmth of the water and his careful attentions lulled her almost to a meditative state.
After what felt like an eternity Zee brushed his lips along her jawline.
“Are you very clean, yet?” He arched an eyebrow, a smirk curving his lips.
“You made me better, and clean thank you.”
“That’s my job. We didn’t even get the sling wet. How is your pain?”
Her shoulder ached and exhaustion washed over her, making her yawn.
“It’s time for another pain killer.”
“I thought so, time to get out,” he helped her up off the bench, then outside of the shower, he held a towel for her.
“Oh!” And stupidly tears leaked down her cheeks.
Usually, she was the one doing this for him but she stepped into the towel and Zee slowly dried her off.
“There. I’ll get one of your strapless dresses to throw on while we talk to the girls,” Zee hung up the towel and held the bathroom door open for her.
“The shower helped but I’m so exhausted,” Ella followed Zee to their closet.
“We’ll the call quick.”
“I need to tell you something about Madison.”
“Here this should work,” Zee pulled a strapless sundress off the rack.
“Thank you.”
Zee gently slid the dress over her head, carefully smoothing it down and helping her to position her injured arm before he threw on a pair of shorts and an old t-shirt.
“Painkillers and I’ll make us tea,” he placed a palm on the small of her back, guiding he out of the closet.
“That’s my job.”
Zee wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Your job is to look after my property now that you went and broke it.” He smiled wryly and she couldn’t help but match his grin.
“Sorry, Sir. I was only trying to fix the light.”
“I’m giving James a piece of my mind.”
“It’s not his fault, he did call the electrician.”
“No but expect me to take it out on everyone over the next week. Your daily routines and protocols are suspended until you are one hundred percent better.”
“But Master!” Ella swallowed, but the seriousness in his gaze told her that she had no choice about this and his mind was made up.
“Ella, you need to recover and to heal. You’re my good girl and I need you well and whole. Promise me.”
She didn’t want to say the words, because if she said the words, she’d be admitting defeat, a tremble rolled through her body, as if her reluctance was a real, live thing.
“Say it.”
His whispered stern tone made her pussy clench with a hot rush of shame, knowing she shouldn’t have stalled.
“I promise, Master.”
Zee brushed a kiss on her brow and his phone rang again.
“Tea first!” Ella said and strode downstairs to the kitchen as fast as she could with her sling.
“Ella, what’s going on with Maddie?” Zee flicked the kettle on.
“Madison signed the offer from the European team. She packed a bag and left.” The minute she said it, he closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest. “She did what?”
“I talked to her earlier, before the class with Helena.” She yawned, the long day getting to her. “I was going to tell you after.”
“I wanted her to finish school.”
“I know. But she’s been so unhappy, Zee. I think it’ll be good for her.”
He wiped a hand over his face. “You do?”
“Yeah, she’s tough. Like her father,” Ella wrapped her one good arm around him and kissed his cheek.
“She is tough. But she’s more like you than me.”
That was so untrue, Ella snorted.
“I’m not brave like her, Zee.”
“Careful, slave. You’re straying close to that negative talk.”
“Just the facts, Sir.”
“Everything is suspended right now but I will double punishments, and you’ll pay later.”
“Yes, Master,” Ella said, ducking her head, her cheeks heated.
“When you said yes to being my wife, that was brave.”
She caught the glint of amusement in his eyes and her heart fluttered.
“Yeah?”
“Foolish,” Zee kissed her forehead, chuckling. “But brave.”
“See, I didn’t say it.”
“Because you’re also smart and kind and beautiful. Let’s go call Annie. She’s probably freaking out now.”
They abandoned the tea and Zee helped her on the couch.
Her eyelids were drooping when he brought over the iPad, and he brushed a gentle kiss on her lips.”I’m a lucky bastard.”
I’m lucky to be yours, she thought drifting off.