Page 20

I step into my corner office, the weight of the overseas trip still clinging to me. The air smells faintly of stale takeout and paper, and my eyes scan the room. Papers are strewn across my desk like a hurricane hit, empty food cartons piled precariously on the edge. My jaw tightens.

“Clarice,” I call out, my voice low and edged with disbelief. There’s no response, so I stride toward the bedroom, my boots clicking sharply against the hardwood floor.

She’s lounging on the bed, one hand propping her head up, the other lazily working a vibrator against herself. Her eyes flicker to me, a sly smile curling her lips. “Oh, are you home?” she asks, her tone dripping with faux innocence.

I cross my arms, my eyes narrowing. “Care to explain the state of my office?”

She shrugs, not missing a beat. “I was busy. And now I’m—” she hums, arching her back slightly, “—even busier.”

I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. “You’re going to regret that.” In three strides, I’m at the bed, grabbing her wrist and pulling her to her feet. She yelps, the vibrator clattering to the floor. “Busy, huh? I’ll show you busy.”

I drag her across the room, her feet barely touching the ground, and drop her onto my lap. Her hands instinctively brace against my thighs, but I pin her arms behind her back with one hand, holding her firmly in place. “Let’s see how you like being disciplined.”

My free hand comes down hard on her ass, the sound sharp and satisfying. She squeals, squirming against me. “Simon!” she gasps, but I don’t let up. I spank her again, the rhythm steady and unrelenting. Her skin reddens under my palm, and her squirming turns into writhing.

“Is this what you had in mind when you left my office a pigsty?” I growl, landing another smack. Her breath quickens, and she lets out a moan that’s equal parts protest and pleasure.

“I didn’t think—” she starts, but I cut her off with another strike.

“That’s the problem,” I say, my voice dark with amusement. “You didn’t think.”

Her body trembles under my hand, and she arches her back, pressing herself against me. “Please,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “Let me cum.”

I pause, my hand hovering above her ass. “Yes,” I say, and she lets out a choked cry as her body convulses, her thighs clamping together. I keep spanking her, the rhythm steady, as her orgasm rips through her. She screams, her entire body shaking, and I don’t stop until she’s limp in my arms, her breathing ragged.

I grab the vibrator from the floor, holding it up between us. Claire’s eyes widen, her lips parting as if she’s about to protest, but she doesn’t. She just watches me, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath.

“Since you’re so fond of this,” I say, my voice low and deliberate, “you can have it all afternoon.”

Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t argue. She never does, not when I’m like this. I retrieve the Reaper’s Lingerie from the drawer, the leather cool and familiar in my hands. She stands still as I fasten the collar around her neck, the cuffs locking her wrists behind her back. I guide her to the office chair, the one with the high back and sturdy frame, and secure her there with the harness straps. She’s bound, her arms immobile, her body exposed and entirely at my mercy.

I turn the vibrator on high and press it against her, watching her gasp and squirm. “Don’t drop it,” I warn, my tone firm but not harsh. She nods, her eyes glazing over as the vibrations ripple through her.

I step back, pulling my cock out, already hard and aching for her. “Now,” I say, my voice commanding, “give me head.”

She leans forward, her lips parting as she takes me into her mouth. I’ve taught her well, and she obeys with precision, her tongue swirling around the tip before she takes me deeper. “Good girl,” I murmur, my hand tangling in her hair. “Just like that.”

She hums around me, the vibrations sending a shiver up my spine. I guide her movements, my fingers tightening in her hair as I set the pace. She takes me deeper, her enthusiasm evident in the way she swallows around me, her moans muffled but unmistakable. The vibrator hums against her, and I can feel her trembling, her thighs clenching as she teeters on the edge of release.

“Cum,” I command, and she does, her body convulsing as she sucks me with renewed fervor. I let her ride the wave, her moans growing louder as she comes again and again, her body trembling with each climax.

When I can’t hold back any longer, I grip her hair tightly and thrust into her mouth, releasing with a guttural groan. She swallows every drop, her tongue lapping at me until I push her back, her lips swollen and her eyes hazy with pleasure.

I release her from the chair, her legs barely able to support her as I bend her over the desk. She’s eager, her hips arching toward me as I sink into her with one deep thrust. She gasps, her back arching as I move, my hands gripping her hips as I claim her.

“Simon,” she moans, her voice breaking as I thrust harder, faster, our bodies slamming together with a rhythm that’s as primal as it is electric. I can feel her tighten around me, her body convulsing as she comes again, her cries echoing through the room.

I’m not far behind, my release crashing over me as I spill inside her, my body collapsing on top of hers. I kiss her, my lips crashing against hers as we come down from the high, our breaths mingling as we cling to each other.

“I love you,” I whisper against her lips, my voice raw with emotion. “More than anything.”

She smiles up at me, her eyes shining. “I love you too.”

“How’d the fitting go? Did they manage to make you look even more radiant than usual, or did they give up and call it impossible?”

She laughs, but it’s a little tight, like she’s forcing it. “It went fine. They just… might need to make some adjustments.” She pauses, her hand drifting to her belly. She looks nervous.

I sit up straight, my scales tingling with a mix of curiosity and concern. “Adjustments? What kind of adjustments?”

She takes a deep breath, her green eyes locking onto mine. “Well,” she starts, her voice soft but deliberate, “we’re either going to have to move the timeframe for the wedding up, or we’re going to have to let my wedding dress out a little.” She pauses, her hand resting lightly on her stomach. “If you know what I mean.”

I freeze. My brain stumbles over the implications for a solid two seconds before it catches up. “Are you with child?” The words come out sharper than I intend, my voice cracking slightly.

She nods, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blouse. “Yeah. I am.”

I’m on my feet before I even realize I’ve moved, crossing the room in two strides. “Okay with it?” I blurt out, my voice rising. “How could I not be okay with it? I’m going to be a father .” I grab her shoulders, my scales flushing a deeper indigo. “The mother of my child is the most perfect woman in the galaxy. Of course I’m okay with it.”

Her face softens, and she lets out a small, relieved laugh. “Oh, thank God. I was worried you’d?—”

I cut her off by pulling her into a hug, my arms wrapping around her like I’m trying to shield her from the universe itself. She buries her face in my chest, and I can feel her trembling slightly. “You’re going to be an amazing mother,” I murmur into her hair. “And I’ll be there every step of the way, even if I have to wrestle a black hole to make it happen.”

She laughs again, muffled against my chest, and pulls back to look up at me. Her eyes are shining, and she’s smiling that smile that makes my hearts—both of them—skip a beat. “So, uh, we should probably start thinking about names, huh?” she says, her voice light but still tinged with that nervous energy.

I grin, my lips pulling back to reveal my teeth. “Already on it. How about Shomun Jr.?”

She groans, swatting my chest. “No. Absolutely not. You’re not naming our kid after yourself.”

I feign offense, clutching my chest like she’s wounded me. “What’s wrong with my name? It’s a strong name. A warrior’s name.”

“Every Vakutan name I’ve heard so far means ‘warrior’ or ‘slayer’ or ‘fighter,’” she points out, her tone playful but firm. “I’m not raising a gladiator.”

I chuckle, pulling her back into my arms. “Fair enough. But whatever we name them, I already know they’ll be perfect. Just like their mother.”

She sighs, resting her head against my chest again. “You’re such a sap.”

“Only for you,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head. “Only for you.”