Chapter Twenty-Two

Studious

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“Y OU HAVE BEEN ATTENTIVE tonight.” Kyle nodded as she handed him the crystal tumbler filled with liquor. “Thank you, little girl.”

“You’re welcome, sir.” Amy grabbed the hem of her maid’s dress and faked a tiny curtsey in the middle of his wood-paneled study. The large, flickering blaze in the fireplace warmed her back as she lowered. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Among other things.

Her lips stretched wide as she suppressed the final, unvocalized line.

Their time in the sauna had been surprisingly relaxing. She’d expected another torrent of pain and adversity after the pleasure of the hot tub, but he hadn’t delivered one. Instead, they’d talked about her life with Graham, about Jonas’ successes, and about Seth and how he’d ended up in prison. Kyle asked about a myriad of topics she hadn’t even considered sharing, let alone when she was naked in someone else’s sauna and she’d disclosed the personal details.

Because Kyle was no longer a stranger.

Her lips quivered. He had been not so long ago, but she could hardly claim a man she’d shared bodily fluids with on more than one occasion was anything other than her lover. Her boss, yes, but she didn’t need to be clairvoyant to know he’d become much more than that. Even though it was risky to admit, she was becoming attached to his take-charge style.

After the sauna, he’d offered her a soft robe and instructed her to chase down the admin tasks he’d set for her on that first day. Only dinner and his fresh set of commands had insisted she dress in the kinky maid’s outfit yet again.

“That’s true.” He pointed to the rug by his feet. “Join me here, please.”

Her heart rate spiked as she walked forward. He wanted her to sit by his feet, an act that should have been demeaning, yet was oddly comforting as she sank into place.

“How are you doing, little girl?” His hand shifted to her hair, playing with the brown strands as he went on. “Are you okay down there?”

“Yes, sir.”

She bit down on the smile that wanted to rise. It was wrong to relish her submission—or, at least, it should have been—yet giving into him felt so damn liberating, and so far, he’d been good by his word. She’d enjoyed every moment of the pleasure they’d shared and was keen for more of the types of bonuses that left her panting for more. She’d have the money, too, of course. She looked forward to paying off the funeral home debt, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want more of the other things Kyle had to offer.

“I’ve been thinking about our revised agreement.”

“Oh.” Her pulse accelerated. What did that mean? Had he changed his mind about her? Apprehension gnarled in her stomach at the crushing thought. The idea of his rejection shouldn’t sting as much as it did.

“I should have given you the chance to think on the modified terms.” His fingers tightened in her hair. “We never mentioned a sexual relationship when you joined me here, although...” His voice trailed away.

“Although we both thought about it.” She boldly concluded the sentence for him.

If he was talking about their affair so brazenly, then surely there was hope for more? He seemed content to honor the financial terms without question, so whatever happened between them next was pivotal.

“Exactly.” He glanced down at her. “So, it only seems right that we talk it through properly.”

“I liked your proposal, sir.”

She’d thought of little else as she’d made telephone calls that afternoon, and it had been there in her head as she’d collected the courses from Leonard and served them to Kyle. The mutual reciprocation they’d discovered made her heady. That she could abide by his will, become absurdly horny in the process, and receive obliterating orgasms as a reward was astonishingly good.

Too good to be true.

The fact he was still prepared to pay her for her time and, therefore, wipe out most of her debt at the same time seemed impossible to contemplate.

Perhaps she should have felt dirty at the prospect? Like a hooker who was paid by the hour, but leaning into his hand, she realized she didn’t. Amy was empowered by Kyle’s attention. He’d been there for her when no one else had, offering security when she’d been helpless. And now he was offering much more than stability. He proposed pleasure in abundance and a lifestyle—if only for a few days—that she’d scarcely even known existed.

“Tell me what you liked.” He tugged her hair, guiding her focus toward him.

“The sex.” Her face heated at the admission, although there was less shame than there had been. “You’re very good, sir.”

“Thank you.” His lips curled at the compliment. “As are you, little girl.”

“I like the pleasure, sir.” It was easier to be courageous down there on the rug. She felt braver than she had earlier. “I want more of it.”

“That’s good to hear.” He swirled the no-doubt expensive liquor around the glass she’d given him. “Because I do, too. I just... don’t want you to feel like you’ve been exploited.”

She stifled amusement at the disconcerting reality. Kyle had subjugated her from the moment he’d gotten her back to the house, and she, for her part, had done little but cede to his commands. He clearly liked to be dominant, and to her surprise, she’d found freedom and joy in her submission. No wonder the collaboration had been so satisfying. They were like two sides of the same coin.

“I thought you were happy to exploit me, sir.” She smirked, thinking of the outfit she was wearing and the way she’d permitted him to gag and spank her.

Kyle was happy to exploit her, and she was more than happy to be so deliciously misused.

“True.” He lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip. “And with that in mind, I want you out of that dress and on your hands and knees.”

Her heart hammered at the stark order, but rising to her knees, she discarded the dress without a second thought and fell forward to fulfill his request.

“Here.” He clicked his fingers, signaling to the place on the rug in front of his feet.

Her brow rose as her gaze followed his fingers to the place he’d indicated, but she moved regardless, crawling forward into position.

“Like this, sir?”

“Perfect.” One of his dark eyebrows arched. “Can you guess what comes next?”

“I...” The muscles between her legs contracted as she did just that.

He wanted her there, by his feet while he enjoyed his drink, because what... Her mind was in freefall, but it didn’t take long for her to accept there could only be one reason.

“I don’t know, sir.”

In the end, she didn’t know if it was her mortification at the reality or the desire to hear him say it that had provoked her answer.

“Oh, I think you do.” He leaned forward and swatted her prone backside.

She gasped at the blow, feeling the hurt resonate at her tingling core. Christ, that was good. Better than it had any right to be.

“But that’s okay,” he continued, trailing one, then two fingertips along the curve of her backside. “I’m going to help you, little girl.”

“Thank you, sir.” Her tone was raspy as his digits explored her.

“I’m going to use you as my footrest.” His smile stretched across his handsome face. “And once I’ve finished my drink, I’ll judge how well you’ve completed the task.”

His response was everything she’d expected, yet hearing his intention spoken aloud was still a disturbing mix of fear and exhilaration. The man sought to employ her as a piece of furniture—it should have been downright outrageous—but dwelling on his meaning, she registered only her heat and the way her breasts ached for his touch.

She yearned for what he promised, wanted to feel the weight of those shiny shoes on the small of her back. Playing his footrest was a new and exceptionally titillating way of proving useful, but it only represented another way to be of service.

“How well can you perform the function? Can you keep still for the duration? Are you providing me with comfort? Those are the things you’ll be judged on.”

She fought hard to subdue the whimper that threatened to escape her throat. “Yes, sir.”

“If you disappoint, then I’ll have you up here for a spanking before I dismiss you for the night.”

Pulling in a shaky breath, she nestled her splayed fingers between the rug’s long fibers. Surely, she shouldn’t want to be spanked. She should ignore the rising temperature in her body and the way her limbs trembled. She shouldn’t want any of this.

“If, though...” He paused, settling back in his seat, and she had the distinct impression the posturing was for dramatic effect. “If you do an admirable job, then I’ll make sure you come even harder than you did this morning.”

“Yes.” Her head lowered as the confession rattled from her. “I want that, sir.” She failed to mention how both the reward and the repercussion sounded delightful—all that her animal body had ever wanted.

“I know you do.” His tone was cocky as he lifted one, then the other ankle onto her back. “So, settle down, little girl. Your challenge begins now.”