25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25

-Jared-

The smile that had adorned her lips mere moments ago faded as I instructed her to fetch something to eat. I noticed the flush in her cheeks shift from the aftermath of my control to a manifestation of frustration, stemming from her desire for reciprocation. Yet, she had sought my dominance, and I was intent on reaffirming that I held sway over her pleasure at all times.

"Come," I urged, gesturing toward the couch.

Stubborn as ever, Alison crossed her arms and sulked like a petulant child, remaining on the ground with her arms tightly folded across her chest. I couldn't help but smile at the sight, relishing the return to our familiar roles.

Still, we had much to overcome, particularly after her recent setback. Nevertheless, it was evident that she was determined to push through and move forward. Ultimately, it came down to willpower and the drive to transcend our fears. Though the path ahead wouldn't be easy, I admired her resolve. However, her obstinance wouldn't grant her the fulfillment she sought, and I simply reclined on the couch.

"Not hungry?" I teased.

"You know it's not food I want," she murmured.

"Yes, but we also know who decides when and how you find release," I reminded her, observing as she turned her head to me, her expression tinged with uncertainty. "And you still have a week of recovery ahead."

"So you won't touch me until then?"

"I won't touch you until I deem it appropriate," I affirmed.

She gasped, appearing to pale at the thought of never knowing when she might experience the sweet release of an orgasm brought forth by me.

"Now, come and eat."

She huffed, adopting a deliberately bratty demeanor, perhaps hoping it would sway me in her favor. I couldn't help but smile at her antics, finding her defiance somewhat endearing.

"Are you trying to provoke me?" I challenged, but she offered no response. "We both know where that ends up—you across my knee."

She groaned, realizing that her behavior wouldn't lead to the outcome she desired. Yet, the sight of her on her knees by the bed, adorned with the delicate collar around her neck, filled me with anticipation. It looked perfect on her, and I eagerly anticipated using it as leverage while taking her from behind.

"Alison?" I called. "Shall I count?"

"Shit," I heard her murmur, her surrender imminent. After a few moments, she finally stood and made her way over to me, but I didn't allow her to sit in front of me. Instead, I patted my thigh, silently indicating for her to take a seat. She complied, draping her legs over mine as I pulled her close. A small smile returned to her lips, her cheeks still flushed from the experience and her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She appeared spent, and I reveled in her vulnerability.

"Now that you're regaining your strength," I remarked, offering her some food, which she accepted gratefully. "How would you feel about receiving some lessons?"

"Lessons?" she echoed.

"In self-defense, as well as using a gun," I suggested.

Alison's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "I don't like guns."

"I understand, but I believe it's important for you to know how to use one," I countered. She sighed but continued to eat as she contemplated my proposal.

"Very well," she conceded.

"It'll be just a few sessions to keep you sharp," I assured her. "While I hope you never have to use it, I know it's important for you to be prepared."

"Will there be a reward if I'm a good student?" she inquired, a hint of mischief in her voice.

"Depends," I replied.

"On?"

"What kind of reward you have in mind," I teased, continuing our playful banter.

"The sweet kind," she informed me, eliciting a chuckle from me.

"Be more specific."

"I think we both know I wasn't hoping for more food," she quipped.

I pulled her closer to me, reveling in the sensation of her body against mine. It felt utterly perfect.

"Maybe after the week has passed, we can see how you feel," I suggested.

"Scared I'll break?" she mocked.

"Scared I'll cause further damage, and you'll end up spending more weeks in bed. You weren't advised to take it easy for nothing," I retorted, noting her growing seriousness. However, her smile returned after she took a bite of her food.

"What?" I inquired.

"Well, you don't have to sleep with me. You could simply touch me," she proposed.

"Mm, where?" I purred, leaning into her neck and relishing in her contented sigh.

"Everywhere," she replied, her breath quickening.

"That's quite a bit of territory to cover. It would take me some time," I remarked playfully.

"Hopefully," she agreed, and I trailed my lips along her neck before pulling away, leaving her yearning for more. But she wouldn't sway me so easily.

After Alison had finished eating, she went to get dressed. However, when she emerged from the closet, searching for the key to her collar, she couldn't find it. With an accusing look in her eyes, she turned to me. I retrieved the key from my pocket.

"Looking for this?" I inquired.

"You know I was," she replied, extending her hand. However, I wasn't inclined to hand it over. As she leaned closer, ready to snatch it, I held it out of reach, seizing her as she approached. Once again, I placed her over my lap, this time face down, and delivered a light smack to her ass. Instead of a scream, a moan escaped her lips, though she glanced over her shoulder with an accusatory expression.

"Why am I being punished for reaching for the key?" she demanded.

"Because I didn't give you permission to remove the collar," I stated firmly.

"Why can't I?" she questioned.

I hooked two fingers underneath it behind her neck and gently pulled her back into a bent position. A gasp escaped her lips, but she didn't beg for mercy. Instead, she shifted her weight onto her hands, her breathing growing deeper.

"Because I can't do this if you take it off. Don't you remember how I used to grab it as I took you?" I whispered huskily, rubbing her ass cheek with my other hand and relishing in the sensation.

"I-I remember," she replied.

"Then why should we take it off?" I inquired.

"B-Because you won't fuck me."

"So? You still wore the other one all the time, even though I wasn't constantly having sex with you. You wear it so it's always there, ready for me," I pointed out. Her squirming betrayed her excitement, and I knew that this collar around her neck would tease her relentlessly, just as it would me.

I released her again, allowing her to fall forward, her breath still deep and indicating her arousal. As she pushed up higher and turned to look at me, her eyes conveyed a slight frustration at my failure to attend to her needs, yet she also seemed to relish our little game.

"This bell might drive us both insane," she remarked.

"Do you want a different collar? Then pick one," I told her.

"Then I need the key."

"No, bring me a new one."

She seemed to consider it momentarily before sliding off my lap and heading to the closet. She took her time, which only served to excite me further. My cock stirred, prompting a shift in my seat. It would be difficult to restrain myself, but until she felt less bound by her past, I couldn't simply grab her and force her onto her knees to pleasure me. We would reach that point again, but not yet. Fortunately, patience was a virtue I possessed in abundance.

Alison returned soon with a different collar, one that didn't have any extra adornments but boasted a rich, dark purple color. As she approached me, holding it out, I instinctively spread my legs slightly, silently signaling for her to kneel. She obeyed without hesitation, using my thighs for support as I reached around her to unlock the other collar. Leaning over her, I pressed my lips to the back of her ear before teasingly pulling away, eliciting a playful glare from her as I leaned back and took the new collar from her grasp.

It was effortless to provoke a reaction from her, her desire for me always simmering beneath the surface. Swiftly, I wrapped the slightly thicker collar around her neck, though not as thick as the first one she had worn. As I secured it in place, I tested its fit, wrapping my fingers around it and drawing Alison closer to me until we were almost face to face.

"Kiss me," I ordered, watching her eyes blink rapidly as I asserted my control over her once again.

She leaned toward me, her lips pressing softly against mine, but it wasn't quite what I had instructed. I pulled away.

"No, Alison, that's not what I told you. Kiss me as if it's our last time," I instructed, watching her eyes widen before filling with lust. With her hands resting on my thighs, she pushed toward me, initiating an even more intense kiss.

It stole my breath away, and I responded eagerly, igniting a moan from her as I slid my tongue into her mouth, exploring its depths and savoring the way her breathing quickened, urging me on. Eventually, I was the one to break the kiss, hearing the faint complaint escape her lips as she continued to meet my gaze with longing.

I reached out, gently stroking her chin, and admired the sight of her clad only in my t-shirt with the collar snug around her neck, her eyes filled with longing. This was precisely how I had envisioned her, existing solely for me, and it filled my heart with a profound sense of satisfaction.

"Picked a destination yet?" I inquired, catching her off guard with my question as her puzzled gaze met mine.

"What?" she responded, clearly taken aback.

"A place to go," I clarified.

"I completely forgot to even consider one," she admitted. "Suddenly, I have the freedom to choose."

She murmured the last part almost to herself, but I understood the significance of her words. Freed from the shackles of her parents' control, Alison could finally make choices based on her true desires.

"Let me know if you need any help. I think I'll go change my clothes. I'm feeling a bit worn out," I confessed.

"Learned anything new?" she inquired.

I was on the verge of brushing off the question, but then I realized there was no longer any need to conceal or withhold information from Alison. If she desired to know more, I could grant her wish.

"Well, Astrid and I have differing tactics. She advocates for patience, suggesting the gradual conversion of more people to her side and targeting weaker spots before delivering the final blow. It's a slower approach, but it could be effective in the long run. On the other hand, my approach involves isolating her father and eliminating him swiftly. However, I also have another person to locate, which might take many years as well. You can understand why I'm less patient when it comes to dealing with Henrick and Finn," I explained, noticing the slight overwhelm in Alison's expression, perhaps from the shock of my newfound transparency.

She leaned forward, resting her arms on my legs, and I relished the intimacy of our position, reaching out to play with her long hair while she pondered my words.

"I really don't want to be stuck here for years," she sighed.

"Me neither," I agreed.

"But I also don't want you doing anything reckless and ending up dead," she added, concern lacing her voice.

"I'd much prefer to keep my heart beating," I admitted.

"In that case, Astrid's plan seems the wisest, with its careful approach. Though, we both know she also wants to assert control over you," she pointed out.

"She most certainly does," I acknowledged.

"So, let's entertain the idea," she suggested, and I found myself enjoying our conversation. "Could we endure this for a year?"

"A year," I echoed, realizing it might indeed take that long.

"So we both agree it's less than ideal. But can you really take down Henrick or Vince any sooner?" she pressed.

"As I mentioned, I have a plan that might draw out Vince," I reminded her.

"Right, by using me as bait," she noted.

"I would never let him anywhere near you," I assured her.

She nodded, then resumed her contemplation. "So, let's say we deal with Vince. What about Henrick?"

"That's the part I'm uncertain about. Perhaps if I could get my hands on Finn, I could lure Henrick out. Finn would be the last one capable of taking over, ensuring the organization remains within the family," I speculated.

"You think he would risk exposure for Finn?" she questioned.

"I'm not sure, but it's a possibility worth considering," I replied.

"Do you think Finn will be difficult to reach?" she queried further.

"Perhaps. Unless I can find a way to draw him out. But I'm not sure if I can use this cousin. Michael and Noah seemed to have been kept in the dark, even about Astrid's pregnancy and—"

"Wait," Alison interrupted, her expression shifting to one of anger. I looked down at her, confused, until I realized what I had said. She pushed away from me, disbelief evident in her eyes. "Astrid is pregnant?"