Pain And Pleasure 18+✓

Twenty-six

I need a proper way to sort this matter. I have to understand what's happening with Jake, including the kind of people he hangs out with lately and all the places he visits. I want to understand him better, but how? I'm so afraid to push him farther away but the talk between us has to happen by all means.

Back in my room, I just strip and climb on the bed. Lights off at last, I grab my phone and lay on my back, thinking of Adrian Castle when I least expect it. His face, his body—his full image overwhelms my mind though he's not an average man with great looks like many others.

But is he average, though?

I roll my eyes and smile. Yeah, he's not average. He's... well, he's something else that I shouldn't be thinking of too much about. We're only business, and nothing more. I should bear this in mind, always, if I don't wanna get hurt.

As I go through my phone I find a text from him. Wow.

*Goodnight, Arabella. Clear your schedule for tomorrow evening, unless it's a matter of life and death.

A laugh leaves my lips. That's more like him—a double-edged blade that's capable of cutting anyhow you hold it.

I type back my reply: Well, I've got a lot going on in my schedule, but I'll try my best, Sir.

It takes just a minute to get his response. How wonderful! Has he been waiting?

*Good. Now sleep! It's an order.

"Yeah, right." I giggle while picturing him so close.

Is he smiling? How rare and beautiful!

Well, the same order comes to you, Sir! Sleep and stop working!

His phone call sits me up on my butt. I sit straight, eyes awake at the screen. What is this, God? Why is my heart beating so fast when it's just a call like any other?

A phone in my ear, I clear my throat and mutter, "Hello."

"Did you just order me to sleep, Arabella?" he replies deeply, his voice aristocratic and so sure.

I bite my lip, for defying this man is as exciting as how scary he may be. But well, he's a work in progress. I still believe he's both soft and hard—just like a coconut.

"I–I think everyone needs to sleep now if they have a busy day tomorrow, right? Or what? Does the Dominant feel offended when his submissive orders him to do some things for his own good?" I ask softly—too softly, I might add.

Yeah, I'm playing with fire.

"His submissive?" He simply parrots my statement. My irises rotate in confusion. "You just said that, Arabella." He sounds exuberant.

"Why? Does it do things to you?" I ask boldly, curious.

A gentle, amused laugh hits my ear.

"More than doing things to me, it makes me think of that beautiful round ass of yours and how well it would feel to spank it if you keep doing what you're doing right now," he says simply.

Heat runs through me, highly enticed by his words alone. My thick thighs compress against each other as I control the undeniable arousal. Damn this man!

But what the fuck is this? Since when do I fantasize about being spanked in the ass, huh? No, he's playing with my head and nothing more.

"Um, I think we should sleep now. I'll see you... tomorrow? I mean, why do you want to see me again?" I splutter without a course, hardly understanding what I'm saying.

"You'll know when you arrive. Again, have a lovely night, Arabella, and don't think too much of what happened today," he states calmly, but it's hard to forsake the imperial undertone of his voice.