Page 21 of Dark Holiday

“My dear, whoever said this is a game? I am deadly serious. We made an agreement, a negotiation. I’ve kept up my end. Please tell me, at what point have my hands touched you in a sexual manner?”

“You slapped my ass this morning! You don’t think that counts?”

With a sigh, I turn off the water and lean against the counter, crossing my arms. “You were coated with powdered sugar. I was merely doing my duty to brush it off.”

Her lower lip quivers, and at that moment, the only thought in my head is to slam her against the wall and kiss the life out of her. “And last night?”

“What about last night?”

“That wasn’t sexual?”

“Oh, it was sexual as hell, but I didn’t touch you. I asked you if you were sure about our negotiations. You said no sexual touching. By your request, I refrained from putting my hands or dick anywhere on you.”

“I want to renegotiate.”

“Not how it works, love. Not with me.”

“I don’t want this.”

Fury raged through me at her words. It’s one thing to lie to me, but to also lie to herself? “That’s not what your naughty little pussy said as it practically dripped when I ordered you around. What about the fact that you got even wetter after I marked you with my cum?”

“Please. No more.”

“Let’s not forget,” I fume, stalking ever closer to her. “You got off twice last night. I didn’t make you come. I merely provided the mental and verbal stimulation.”

“I quit.” Her words are so soft I nearly miss them.

What the hell does she think she’s doing? I close the gap between us, slamming my palms on either side so that she’s caged in. I hold back far enough to not get the ink on my clothes but close enough that the heat from her body burns my soul.

“What else will you do?”

“I managed to land this job. I’ll add it to my resume.”

“Then I’ll call every business if I have to, telling them what a liar you are and a liability to their company. I don't have to lie; just recount your activities of today and yesterday.”

Her face crumples, and for a brief moment, my conscience tugs at my heart. I can’t let her leave. At least here, she’s safe, cared for. I can’t ever admit that I’ve been there the whole time, moving heaven and earth to make sure she was safe, but here, in this office, I can disguise my obsession with professional integrity.

I can couch my terms in legalese and threats, keeping her well-dressed in a way that doesn’t hit her pride or misplaced views of charity. If she leaves, I’ll again be forced to watch from the sidelines, doting on her from afar.

Resting my forehead against hers, I tamp down the anger simmering below the surface. This could be so easy. Why does she continually insist on making it difficult? “Let’s renegotiate. From now on, everything is above board. I’m your boss. You’re my employee. No sexual advances will be made.”

“And the daily pictures?”

Sorrow akin to physical pain lances my heart at her question. She doesn’t have to clarify. I know exactly what she’s asking. These pictures weren’t completely about control. Did I like having a say in what she wore? Hell yeah. I’ve gotten off to the control I had, but it was more than that.

These pictures would be the bright spot of my day…something from Cindy herself and not some CCTV or PI. They were honest, raw, a gift to brighten my dull existence. I was so tired of watching her through a grainy, black and white lens. I wanted color. I wanted her.

“Those will go away as well. I expect you to maintain a professional appearance, one up to my exacting standards.”

The soft nod is fine. The sigh of relief, however, is not. Nothing I’ve done to her has been so awful as to warrant that. If I had known orgasms were so abhorrent, I would have denied her and pleasured myself with no thought of her release.

Pushing up from the wall, I pin her with a glare, imbuing it with all the ire I can muster. “Remember, you asked for this renegotiation. Now clean up and get to your desk. You are hereby banned from the copy room. For obvious reasons.”

Fuming, I storm out of the bathroom, leaving her to it. With these new developments, I’ll have to figure out a timeline to possess her sooner. I was hoping to win her over by giving her the strong, no-nonsense Daddy she reads about, but she’s cut me off at the legs.

Hopefully, I’ve given her enough of a taste of the decadence I offer to make things seem dull and pallid in comparison. Hell, maybe I should let her try John. God knows if his performance with the mistress is indicative of how he is in the bedroom, Cindy will see just how alluring being with me would be.

My fingers clench up into fists at the very idea of John so much as touching her in a friendly manner, much less a sexual one. She’s mine, damn it. She always has been. Why does she continue to choose these inferior men to me? Soon, very soon, she’ll come crawling back to me, begging for another taste of the dark sexuality that binds us together.