“You must have really liked that spanking you got earlier, because you’re going to get one when I get home, my Elli,” he warned.
My thighs pressed together without my permission, my clit already pulsing. “Pass.”
“I’m leaving the courthouse now,” he spoke as if I hadn’t commented. “Have you eaten dinner?”
“Have you?” I countered, wondering if he’d had Rita for dessert.
“We had an emergency hearing. Petra ordered me something before she left for the evening, and I ate while I heard the defense counsel’s arguments.”
I grimaced. “Was it a heart attack in a sack?”
“No, apparently someone is concerned about my eating habits, so I had some kind of chicken pesto sandwich and a salad.” I thought I heard a hint of a smile in his voice, but if so, it disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared when he repeated, “Did you eat?”
“What if I didn’t?” I challenged, knowing I sounded childish but unable to stop myself for some reason I didn’t want to explore too closely.
“Then I’ll have to feed you,” he answered calmly. “Answer me.”
“I already ate,” I mumbled. When he remained silent, as if waiting for me to continue, I blew out a long sigh. “Salad with some baked salmon. My mom must have had some for lunch because there were leftovers in the fridge.”
“Good girl.”
Damn it, why did that make me wet?
“I’ll have my driver stop by the bakery,” he announced. “I’ll pick you up some dessert. Any requests?”
His cock sounded like a nice treat, but I pressed my lips together to keep from telling him that. “Surprise me,” I said once I trusted myself to speak.
“See you soon, my Elli.”
Chapter 26
Judge
My plans had been delayed for the evening with the emergency hearing to discuss an urgent motion, but a call ensured everything was still ready when I had Tony stop. Once I was done, I picked up a few boxes from the bakery, figuring whatever Ellianna didn’t eat we could have for breakfast or Mabel could share with Miss Lindy.
Stepping out of the back of the town car, I reached back in for the boxes and gave Tony a nod.
“See you in the morning, boss,” he said. “Will Elli be—”
“Ellianna,” I corrected, cutting him off.
He straightened his shoulders and turned his head forward, jaw tensing. “Will Ellianna be joining you?”
“Yes,” I bit out. “Expect her every day I work.”
“Yes, boss.”
Walking into the kitchen, I set the pastry boxes on the island, but Ellianna was nowhere to be seen. Taking the top box, I walked upstairs, expecting her to be in our room. It had been mine since birth. When my father died, I could have taken the primary suite on the other side of the house, but I had my reasons. One being I didn’t like the thought of sleeping on the other side of the house when Lyla and Elli were in this wing.
Finding the bedroom empty, I dropped the box on the bed and shrugged off my suit jacket. As I walked down the hall to the next room, I rolled my sleeves up to my elbows. Without bothering to knock, I pushed open the door and crossed to the bed, where Ellianna was tucked under the covers, her back propped against a pile of pillows while she channel-surfed.
“Where’s dessert?” she sassed without looking away from the screen.
I didn’t give her the pleasure of arguing. Instead, I lifted her out of the bed and tossed her over my shoulder. Finding her missing her pajama bottoms, I jerked her panties down enough and slapped my hand over her ass. Her yelp brought a grin to my face as I carried her out of the room.
By the time I got to the door, she had recovered enough to start running her mouth again. “You can’t just come into my room and snatch me out of bed. I was comfortable. And what if my mom were here?”
“I know Mabel is at Miss Lindy’s house,” I told her as I entered our room and kicked the door shut behind us. “And if you wanted to remain comfortable, you should have snuggled in the correct bed.”
“I’m tired,” she complained. “I was going to go to sleep after you brought me a cupcake.”
“Who said I brought you a cupcake?” I pulled the covers back on her side of the bed and placed her against the pillow. When I stepped back, she was pouting. “You told me to surprise you.”
“And that didn’t include cupcakes?”
Bending, I touched my lips to the center of her forehead. “I guess you’ll have to wait and see.” Turning away, I started unbuttoning my shirt. Pulling it free from my pants, I picked up the box on the end of the bed and returned to her.
“That box isn’t big enough for a cupcake,” she complained.
“So observant,” I teased.
“Judge!”
My fingers tightened around the jewelry box. “In this room, you call me Zachary.” Turning the box around so it was facing her, I opened the top. “Or ‘Sir.’”
Her eyes widened, but she couldn’t hide the flicker of anticipation I saw in those light-blue depths. “Sir?” she breathed, licking her bottom lip without bothering to look down at what I was holding.
Taking out the thin platinum choker, I tossed the box aside and sat on the edge of the bed. I caressed my fingers over her neck, noticing the faint bruise on her skin from where I’d lost control at lunch. As long as her hair was down, no one would see the mark I’d left behind.
Leaning in, I kissed her there. “When my hand isn’t around this pretty throat, I can’t think straight,” I husked at her ear. “I need something to remind us both of who you belong to, my Elli.”
Feeling her pulse increase, I smiled and pulled back so I could gather her hair to one side. I kissed her exposed neck. Hearing the hitch in her breathing never failed to get me hard. Nuzzling her with my nose, I skimmed my lips up to her ear. She clutched at my shirt, a sweet little mewling sound reaching my ears.
Securing the jewelry in place, I pulled back to admire her graceful neck and the platinum collar. Now that I didn’t have to fight for control, I was taking everything I wanted. Marking her was the next step. I’d never wanted to collar anyone before, but I’d been struggling with that need for years where Ellianna was concerned. Discretion was key, but I couldn’t function without her branded as mine.
The O-ring sat on the perfect spot of her throat, drawing my attention when she swallowed. Inside the O were three diamonds that to me represented everything I wanted the choker to say.
She was loved.
She was collared.
She was owned.
All by me.
The style was elegant enough that she could wear it with any outfit. Not just anyone would recognize what the piece of jewelry meant, but those who did would immediately understand that Ellianna was off-limits.
Brushing my thumb over the O, I took pleasure seeing the metal against her delicate skin.
“What’s this?” she asked softly, her fingers touching either side of the O-ring.
“Your collar.”
Her mouth fell open slightly. “A collar?” I nodded. Confusion pulled at her brows for a moment before she whispered, “As in…I’m your sub?”