Page 14

R yker

I slept on the couch that night.

Not because I wanted to, but because I needed to.

I wanted to sleep in her bed, but I didn’t think I could resist the temptation of her naked body next to mine.

Those beautiful doe eyes of hers were seared into my memory, a decadent emerald green that sparkled more brilliantly than any gemstone I’d ever seen.

There were hints of citrine in those glittering irises, which only shone brighter when her cheeks were painted pink with her captivating blush.

She was supposed to just be a colleague, but there was something about her that had made me ignore everything that told me to keep my hands off her.

She’d looked at me with that heart-stopping innocence and I couldn’t help myself: I had kissed her.

She’d tasted like sweet grapes and honey, and it hadn’t been enough.

I’d wanted so much more than a kiss. Her innocence was intoxicating. It was the breath of fresh air I didn’t know I had been looking for.

It was clear that she wasn’t used to a man taking control of her in any form whatsoever and that had made it all even more delicious. Every sigh, every whisper, every moan had been genuine and like the perfect goddamn wet dream.

Fuck. Just thinking about last night made me rock hard again.

When I’d first threatened to redden her bottom with my belt, I’d expected her to tell me off, run away in fear, or even slap me across the face, but she hadn’t done any of those things.

No, she’d done the exact opposite of what I’d expected.

She’d just looked at me with those curious eyes and practically dared me to do it.

I hadn’t been able to back away from that. I was only a man.

When she had disobeyed me, I stripped her bare, making a point of forcing her to endure embarrassment, and put her over my knee.

She was soaking wet after I’d spanked her bottom to a charming bright red hue.

Her coy silence when I questioned her was enthralling, and when she deferred to my judgement as to whether she needed my belt across her bottom, I almost embarrassed myself in my pants!

I’d delighted in her cries as I whipped her fiercely, and then her screams when she came for me.

Her ass was marked with welts by the time I’d finished disciplining her, but she obediently took everything I gave her.

I closed my eyes, lying back on the couch as I imagined the sight of her bent over it.

Fucking incredible. An absolute vision.

It was morning now and the sun was slipping in through the curtains. Naomi hadn’t emerged from her bedroom yet and I didn’t want to startle her, but there would be no more sleep for me today. With a soft sigh, I opened my eyes, gazing into the kitchen.

The remains of the cheeseboard were still strewn over the table along with two half-drunk glasses of wine. We’d never quite made it to dinner.

A gentleman should put more than just his seed in his woman’s belly.

I would make sure she ate something heartier today.

I pushed myself up and off the couch. As quietly as I could, I raided her cabinets and what was inside her fridge.

I didn’t quite know what her tastes were other than what I’d seen last night.

She enjoyed fruit, cheese, and wine, but none of those things were proper breakfast foods, at least not on their own.

I’d lived by myself for years and I considered myself a reasonably good cook, so I wanted to make her something she’d enjoy.

I decided to make her pancakes. Everyone I knew liked pancakes; it was almost sacrilegious if they didn’t. A stack covered in butter, syrup, and whipped cream was considered better than sex by many people out there.

Supposedly…

I hunted down a large bowl and several pans.

I quickly whisked up a nice batter, rationing it out into smaller portions.

Then I mixed in some of the berries and other fruits that were left over from the night before.

By the time I was pouring the first batch into the hot pan, I heard the soft pitter patter of bare feet brushing against the floor behind me.

With a gentle smile, I looked over my shoulder.

Naomi was standing by the doorframe. The sun caught her eyes in such a way that they sparkled. She appeared a little uneasy, and I grinned wider, hoping to alleviate whatever was making her anxious.

As much as I had hoped she might come out of her room naked for me, she had gotten dressed.

Ever the professional, she was wearing a purple chiffon button-up blouse and a pair of black slacks.

There was a pair of pretty, black kitten heels on her feet.

I could tell she was wearing makeup, but it only added to her understated elegance.

She brushed a lock of her long brown hair behind her ear.

It shone as if she’d spent the whole morning brushing it.

She glanced up at me with a wariness that hadn’t been there last night. I cocked my head, studying her more intently, when she turned away and her cheeks reddened.

Ahhh, now I understood; she was a little embarrassed.

A lot of firsts happened for her last night. I’d taught her things about herself that she likely hadn’t known before.

“I thought I might make you one of my favorite breakfasts,” I grinned. She smiled a tiny bit, her gaze darting to the pan. She furrowed her brow with a glimmer of confusion.

“What are you making?” she asked, her curiosity burning through her shame.

“Pancakes,” I replied.

She repeated the word, her eyes crinkling adorably in the process. She looked at the batter in the pan and back to me, her expression entirely too doubtful. I’d fix that.

“You’ll like them. Trust me,” I added, and her blush deepened. She looked down at the floor, trying to hide it, but I’d seen it anyway.

“I’ll get some plates and silverware,” she said.

“Good girl,” I praised. She stopped dead in her tracks for the briefest of moments, before remembering herself. Her fingers pressed against her belly, and she hazarded a quick glance in my direction before deciding to turn away entirely.

She was so very unsure of herself, and probably of me, too.

I wasn’t deterred by her change in demeanor. I knew it was probably just a result of her shame over what we did together last night, and it was making her want to hide from me a little.

“Why don’t you sit down at the table? Let me take care of you,” I pressed. I whisked a few more berries into the batter, turning my back to her and giving her a respite while I prepped our meal.

“It’s okay. I’d like to help,” she said softly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her glance toward me. She was still, as if she was waiting for me to do something. What was she up to?

“Sure thing. Why don’t you set the table for me? I only need a few more minutes before it’ll be ready.”

Beside me, she rifled through the cabinets and drawers, gathering what she needed before she moved over to the table.

When she was done, I watched as she sat down in the chair.

My cock hardened at the sight of her wincing from her still- sore bottom.

That would likely last another day or two, and the thought brought another smile to my face.

Swallowing down my arousal, I took just a little longer than necessary to load up a plate with freshly made pancakes. I found a container of butter in her fridge, as well as some syrup that had been hidden on one of the shelves.

She lifted a brow as I joined her. With a spatula, I served her a raspberry pancake and a blueberry one. When she reached for her fork and knife, I pressed my hand gently against hers.

“Not just yet,” I advised.

“Oh, okay…” She sat back, clearly unsure as she shifted in her seat. With an easy grin, I topped her pancakes with syrup and butter. When it was ready, I pushed the plate in her direction.

“Like this,” I said.

Her blush stayed painted all over her beautiful face the whole time. I couldn’t get enough of it, of her.

She picked up her fork and knife and I watched as she cut a bite of one and tentatively pressed it in between her lips. She was wary as she started to chew, but that quickly faded away once the flavor hit her tastebuds.

“Oh! That’s delicious!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

“I thought you’d like it,” I grinned.

Her body relaxed just the tiniest bit. It made me happy to see it.

“I really do. You’re full of surprises, Ryker Gates,” she mused, and I smirked a little, catching her gaze and making her face redden even further.

She hastily took another bite, chewing quickly in an effort to fill her embarrassed silence. I decided that I would have to be more direct with her.

“How are you feeling this morning, Naomi?” I asked with just an edge of concern, but I kept my voice soft.

“A bit sore,” she admitted, “Like, all over sore!” She self-consciously glanced up toward me and then back at her plate. I reached out and took hold of one of her hands, gently brushing my thumb back and forth across her knuckles. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and I squeezed her fingers a little.

“Do you like that you’re sore?” I pressed.

Just when I thought her cheeks couldn’t turn any redder, they did. With a turn of her head, she avoided my gaze and chewed her lip. When I happened to catch her glancing back at me, it was almost as if she was waiting for something. I knew what to do.

“What did I tell you last night, Naiomi? I expect an answer when I ask you a question,” I pushed. I did nothing to hide the warning in my voice. I chose that same moment to squeeze her hand in mine. She stared down at my fingers with a heated look.

“Yes,” she breathed. She opened her mouth to say something else, but immediately closed it as if she’d thought better of it.

“I like it too, very much,” I continued in what I hoped was a reassuring tone. “Finish your breakfast, little girl.”

“Yes, sir,” she mumbled, and my cock jumped at the sound of it.