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don t have much more self-control than you.
Prosper stared at the clear blue eyes across from her, the usually stern face
that had relaxed suddenly into easier lines. Or was it only that she knew him
better, to see the ease around his mouth, his eyes?
 What? he asked.
 Thank you, Jackson. For a place to stay. For being here now.
He shrugged, squeezed her hand again.  Just remember, it s not completely
unselfish. None of this is completely unselfish.
Prosper shrugged too and said,  It never is.
* * *
Jackson had helped her home, carried her up the last two flights of stairs when
she was too tired to climb them herself. To her amazement he hadn t even been
winded at the top. He d helped her get settled into bed, tucking the sheets around
her closely. His careful protectiveness fueled the slow burn in her heart and her
more private parts too. He d told her to rest, that he d return later to help her pack.
His exact words were,  Do not dare try to do it yourself. She d packed a little
anyway when she found she couldn t lie still. She d fallen back into bed a half hour
later wishing she d obeyed Jackson. By the time he returned, her head felt better,
but he scowled at the small boxes of belongings.
110 Annabel Joseph
 I told you to rest.
 I know. I got bored.
In the space of a second, he was across her bedroom and in her face.
 You got bored? That s enough of an excuse, girl? What did I tell you to do?
 Rest, she whispered.
 Rest, Sir.
 Rest, Sir, she managed despite the sudden erratic beating of her heart.  You
told me to rest. I m sorry.
 If you want more, Prosper, you ll have to give more. You ll have to keep your
mind on what I want, not your own needs.
 Yes, Sir.
He put a hand to her forehead.  How do you feel? Any fever? Dizziness,
headache?
 A small headache, nothing bad. The nurse said I might have them off and on
for a few days.
 If it gets worse, you ll let me know. It was an order.
 Yes, Sir.
He finished packing the boxes for her. It both thrilled and embarrassed her to
watch him handling her things, all her things, down to her toiletries, her pajamas,
her naughty bras and panties. She blushed at the intimacy, but he was very
businesslike about it. While he carried her things downstairs, she wrote a check for
two weeks rent to the landlord to close her lease. With any luck there would be
units available when her time at Jackson s house was finished, but she didn t want
to dwell on that just now. She wanted to enjoy every moment she had with him and
not worry about what came after.
At his house, he brought in her things while she watched from the sofa. She
thought of the early days when she d come over, of the time he d bent her over that
Firebird 111
same couch and spanked her with his belt. When would he touch her again? He
seemed determined that she rest, but she was in anything but a restful mood.
He made a light dinner of chicken and salad, and they ate it together at his
small dinette. The apartment was dark as always, the only faint light the fixture
over their heads. She joked that he lived like a vampire, afraid of light and sun. He
looked back at her.
 Perhaps. And you re coming to stay with me. Here in my lair. He reached out
for a lock of her hair.  Little sunshine, he said in a quiet voice.
She looked up at him in the dim light. She was so in love. So desperately in
love with him. And the way he was looking at her& His eyes looked darker than
usual, more intent. He didn t let go of her hair, only caught a greater handful and
twisted it in his fist.  You didn t obey me earlier, girl.
She was silent, her breath expanding in her chest. Her heart seized hopefully.
Please touch me. Please.
 How are you feeling? His voice sounded strained.  Any headache? Any pain?
 No. I m fine.
 You should really be getting to bed soon. You need to be resting as much as
possible. But I think you earned a punishment earlier. For disobeying me.
She nodded.  Yes, Sir. If you say so.
He released her hair with a soft laugh.  Good answer. Now get up. Bend over
the table. Wait for me.
She was throbbing, just like that. Three short commands and she was soaking
her panties. She stood and draped herself over the small table while he cleared the
dishes. Her face flamed with the indignity of what she was doing, waiting there
bent over for him as he moved around her. She heard water running in the kitchen,
things being put away. The dishwasher started with a hiss and a groan. She turned
her head sideways and closed her eyes, too embarrassed to see if he watched her or
112 Annabel Joseph
not. Her hands opened and closed against the tabletop. Her fingers traced across
the smooth wood. She wished it were Jackson s skin.
She heard footsteps and opened her eyes to see him coming back, wiping his
hands on a dishtowel. He threw it aside and approached her. She loved the way his
jeans eased across the muscles of his thighs when he walked. Her whole pelvis
ached with lust for him.
He stood behind her, reached around to unbutton her jeans and tug them down
over her hips. She held her breath, waiting, feeling exposed. The panties came down
too. She shifted and buried her face in her hands. She was overcome with the same
jumble of feelings he always inspired in her. Lust. Fear. Excitement.
Embarrassment. Why did she love this? Why did he?
 Be still, he said under his breath. She shuddered as she heard a metallic
clunk and the sound of his belt being freed from its loops. She craned her neck to
turn and see him doubling it over. As always, she squelched the sudden impulse to
flee. He took her hands hard and pulled them behind her back, pressing them down.
 When I tell you to do something or not do something, it s understood that you
will obey. Yes?
 Yes, Sir, she whispered.
 There will always be a reason, girl. And the reason will always be  I want. So
if I give you directions, you do as I say and not as you want to do. Do you
understand?
 Yes, Sir.
  Yes, Sir, I understand. 
 Yes, Sir, I understand. She tensed as he rubbed the belt across her ass
cheeks.
He leaned down next to her ear.  This won t hurt you nearly as much as it
should, because you re injured. Now count each stroke and don t dare move.
He brought the belt down on her bottom, and she gasped.  One!
Firebird 113
The sting of the first blow spread across her cheeks. He paused then, making
her wait. She felt so vulnerable knowing more pain was coming. She both dreaded
the pain and yet craved it on some level just because it came at his hands.
 Two! Three! Four!
They weren t full strength, as promised, but they still hurt. He swung the belt
with tight control, and the hard table held her trapped with nowhere to go. She
danced around on her toes, trying to dissipate some of the ache. Her ass grew warm [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]