Dawson's P.O.V.
She wasn't fighting me on the way to the river. As I tugged unceremoniously at her wrist, pulling her along behind me, she did little more than sniffle quietly to herself. The walk back took several minutes, and it allowed me the chance to cool off some of my disappointment and frustration.
I reminded myself that she was still a Berkelium girl, and of course she would try to run away if given the chance. It was foolish of me to think otherwise.
What I couldn't place, however, was why the image of her fleeing body bothered me so much. Why was it so imperative to chase her down? To bring her back? To scold her for being so foolish?
Shaking my head at myself, I chalked it all up to being a trained dominant without anyone to take care of. And here comes this tragic little creature and every instinct in me wants to cherish her, especially out here where she needed my protection.
Nothing brought the dominant out more than some girl in distress... And here was one, all scratched up and needing attention. What else could I do but take care of her? What else was there?
With the river just ahead, I sighed at my own miserable fuckery, slowing and stopping at a large rock that jutted out over the ever-moving waters. As I lowered myself to the rock, I tugged Keeley forward. I held my hand out for her foot, and she hesitantly provided it.
Why she wasn't fighting me anymore, I wasn't sure. Maybe it was the threat of a spanking that finally convinced her to behave herself. Regardless of the reason, I would take it.
Once her shoes and socks were removed, I tugged the pant leg of her pants up to her knees. Then I guided her into the water. Without a word, she did exactly as I instructed, and while she stood calf deep in the river, I scooped handfuls of water over her arms until the water no longer ran pink with her blood.
Henry, Grayson, and Sam, appeared with our horses, as well as the additional three from the Berkelium camp. It looked like they had also ransacked a few items from the empty tents, one of them being a white linen which Henry tossed over to dry Keeley with. I patted her arms down. Then, I dampened the cloth and gently cleaned the scratches around her neck and face.
Her eyes remained downcast, staring far away into the water. It saddened me to see her so defeated.
"Keeley," I called her name softly, hoping to grab her attention. When she didn't lift her head, I tucked my knuckle beneath her chin and raised her head. Her eyes found mine, but she didn't acknowledge me verbally.
"Keeley," I sighed, wanting so badly to comfort her. "I'm sorry if I frightened you with my outburst. I was frustrated that you ran away again. But I understand why you did, truly. I would have probably tried to escape in your position as well."
She blinked at me, her eyes red and tired. I smiled sadly before taking the dry end of the linen and patting her neck and face dry.
"Is that what you would really do if I ran away again...?" she asked, her voice so soft, I barely heard her. "Is that what...what you do to the girls in your culture?"
She was referring to the threat I made about taking her over my knee and spanking her... And I felt a creeping feeling of shame sneak up and take hold. I had no right to threaten such a thing.
"I won't do that to you, Keeley," I told her, wringing out the linen. "It wasn't fair of me to threaten it."
She was quiet for a moment, hopefully processing my words and believing them. Then I saw her bring her hands together and fiddle with them.
"But... that's what you do?"
Regretting having ever said a thing at all, I nodded my head as I gently took her wrist and guided her from the water. I used the linen to dry her feet and ankles, and then I returned her socks and shoes to her feet.
YOU ARE READING
Unconditional Dominance
Romance"What do you say when I tell you to do something?" Breathless and whimpering, she answered: "Yes, Sir..." "You're not going to forget again, are you?" "No, Sir," her voice was soft, relaxed even. I was watching her actively slip further into a su...
