Page 54 of Submitting to Them

Then he bites my earlobe.

“Fucking psychopath,” I laugh, setting him down.

Ella fusses over the refrigerator.“Do you want me to run to the store?This lunchmeat should probably be tossed, and Bash, have you evermeta vegetable?”

I come up behind her, pull her into my arms, and push the fridge door shut.“I’ll arrange a grocery delivery in a little bit, and I’ll be sure to add plenty of vegetables to it, okay?”

“Okay.”She smooths her hands over my beard.“You had a little bit of cat hair right there.”

“Thanks,” I say, scowling at Schrödinger.Turning back to Ella, I say, “So?Can I show you your surprise?”

She grins.“Yes.”

I lead her to the spare room situated across the hall from the master bedroom.“Open the door, princess.”

She grabs the handle, turns it, and pushes open the door.Her mouth falls open and her big brown eyes grow even larger as she takes in the scene before her—some of the soundproofing materials on the walls are still exposed, because I didn’t have a chance to finish making it look nice.But the mics are set up, as well as some camera tripods and other equipment like interfaces, a MIDI keyboard, and speakers.My laptop sits in the corner, loaded up with a few different software options.

“This is…this is…Bash,” she says.“I don’t know what to say.This is my surprise?”

“Yep.”

“Wow.”She walks into the room and trails her hand over the desk where my laptop sits, then examines a couple of the mics on their stands, adjusting their reach.

“Well?”I ask.“Do you like it?”

“I absolutely love it,” she breathes.“There are two mics.”

I nod.“Yeah.”

“Does this mean…you might want to sing with me sometime?”

“Ialwayswant to sing with you, princess.Anytime you ask, I’ll be here.”

Her eyes fill with tears and she rushes me, throwing her arms around my shoulders.Even in her excitement, she’s careful not to jar my healing knife wound.

“Let’s try it out,” she says, “if you’re up for it?”

“Fuck yeah,” I say.

I grab my guitar and we play around with the equipment.We don’t record anything, but it’s fucking fun to have a jam session with Ella.We sing our own songs, and we sing other peoples’ songs, and we make shit up just for the hell of it..

For an hour or so, cocooned in the studio, we can forget all the danger and drama going on in the outside world.

Ella

When I wake up on Friday, Kingston is already gone.Sebastian rolls over in bed and pins me down with his legs.

“Someone’s feeling better,” I say, rubbing my leg that isn’t pinned against his.We haven’t had sex since before the attack in the alley.

“I’m feeling alotbetter,” he says, pressing against me so I can feel his cock, already hard, rub between my legs.

I let out a false sigh of disappointment.“Too bad I have to take a shower and get ready for work.”

“I’ll be really quick,” he murmurs into my neck.

“Oh, that’ssotempting,” I joke.

But my amusement transforms into lust as he nuzzles the sensitive place behind my ear and runs his hands up my sides before pulling back enough that he can fondle my breasts.