She snuggled into his wide chest and smiled up at him. “As you told me, that’s how I learn to stop doing the thing that makes you crazy, right?”
“Right,” he said.
“So, what are your rules, Arsen?” she asked.
He had so many he had to think. He couldn’t dole out any hard ones or she might not stay and he wanted her to stay more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life.
STEELE
After a hot shower while Arsen left her alone to go write his rules down for her, Steele toweled off and wrapped the fluffy white towel around her body. Her arms ached a little from being tied up, but she loved it and ran her hands up and down them, remembering how awesome the whole thing had been with Arsen earlier.
The bedroom door opened and Arsen came in wearing only black pajama bottoms. Steele’s breath halted as she thought him the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.
“Hey,” she said.
His reaction was instant.
“Don’t speak to me until I speak to you, Steele.”
She looked down as his tone was harsh and it was a reaction she didn’t seem to be able to control. She pressed her lips together in a hard line. Standing still, she had no idea of where he wanted her.
He took her arm and pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed. Arsen handed her the paper that was full of his rules. She looked up at him as he paced in front of her.
“You want me to read these now?”
He stopped.
“Yes. Out loud please and ask me about anything you don’t understand.”
Steele cleared her throat as Arsen resumed his pacing.
“Steele must do as Master says at all times.”
She stopped and shook her head. He looked at her.
“What? Of course you know that’s the first rule, Steele.”
“Um, I’m not your sub and you’re not my Master, so that word will have to be stricken from this document if you expect me to take it seriously.” She looked directly into his dark eyes and found them boring into hers.
“It’s just a term, we use. How would you have me write it?” he asked.
“Just put your name in place of every single use of the word, ‘Master.’ I can’t express to you enough how degrading that feels to me. I will not be degraded at any time, Arsen.” She looked back at the paper.
“Fine, I’ll change that since this is not a dom/sub contract. So, go on and read the rest,” he said as his eye twitched and his hand flew to cover it.
Steele noticed though and frowned. “I’m making you upset, aren’t I?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m just not used to this kind of behavior out of any woman of mine and it’s taking some getting used to. Please continue.”
With a shrug of her shoulders she read, “I’ll just read this as if you’ve already changed the word then. Steele must do as Arsen says at all times. Steele will stay every night with Arsen.” She looked up at him. “You want me to live with you?”
“I don’t want to call it that, no.” He stopped his pacing and looked at her. “You share an apartment with another person and that’s not appropriate. Your things can stay there, for now anyway. You sleep in my bed, so I know you’re safe.”
“But Gwen depends on my financial help. And I don’t really want her all alone every night. That makes her not safe,” Steele argued.
“She’s not mine to worry over. You are, or will be, if you accept this. This rule is non-negotiable I’m afraid. Perhaps you could help her find another roommate. You can still help her pay the bills if you want to as I’ll be giving you a credit card to take care of all of your expenses. And you should, as you need to keep that room, you know in case things don’t work out.” He resumed pacing. “Keep reading.”
“We’ll discuss the credit card thing later as I will not be taking money from you. That’s a thing a prostitute does and I’m anything but that. Okay, next rule is, Steele will make herself readily available to Arsen at all times. She will be given a cell phone that is to be used only to communicate with Arsen and she will answer his calls and texts, if not immediately, then within thirty minutes. It should be noted that there will need to be a valid excuse for not answering right away and any excuse deemed unworthy will have repercussions,” she said then shook her head. “I have school, Arsen.”
“And I’m aware of that and would never ask you to come to me or answer my calls when you’re in classes, Steele. You need to trust me. I have no intention of ruining your education. I’d only like to enhance it and will if you allow me to exert my expertise with you. You can be assured I’ll never do something that would harm your career or your mind, body, or soul. I’ll care for you more than you ever thought possible.”
“Okay then, moving on,” she said as she continued. “Steele will not pleasure herself unless Arsen asks her to. What the hell, Arsen? Gee that’s really gross.” She kept reading. “Steele is not allowed to orgasm until Arsen tells her to. Yeah, I got that one. Moving on. Arsen has a say on who Steele is friends with.”
“That red head is out, Steele. She’s a real bitch and I don’t want her to have any influence on you.” He took her chin in his hand. “That won’t be a problem, will it?”
She shook her head. “I hate her anyway. I will have to stay firm on Gwen though. She’s my friend and will always be.”
“Then I will schedule a time for us all to be together so I can see how you two interact with one another and I will deem if the relationship is one that enhances your life..” He let her chin go and walked over to grab a bottle of water from the night stand. “Please continue.”
“Steele’s body is only to be given to Arsen to do with as he wishes.” She looked at him and frowned. “So you want to be exclusive I see, but I’m not your girlfriend. Okay. And what about you? Are you going to be only with me?”
“You have to trust me. I don’t plan on being with anyone else and if I am, I will be honest with you about it. But you have to realize I am the master of myself and as such, I can do as I please. As long as you are pleasing me then I see no reason why I’d even want to have sex with another, but that is my decision to make. Also, if you ever do decide to move all the way with this thing and become my sub then I can allow another to have sex with you if I want as your body will be mine.”
“Fuck that, Arsen!”
“I should’ve put that in there as well, but I’ll be sure to add it soon. That language is not to be uttered out of those precious lips of yours. For now, just know that it does not please me for you to utter curse words. And when I’m not pleased, it will reflect on how I treat you. Do you understand me, Steele?”
“I sure do. But please be advised that I will not be given to anyone else at this time. Not unless we do make a dom/sub contract. Which is getting more and more unlikely. And just so you know, if you think I’m going to be the only faithful one in this relationship then you’re far from correct.”
Arsen frowned and said, “Like I said, as long as you’re pleasing me I don’t see that happening.”
Steele smiled. “It’s just that I think I’d be really jealous is all, Arsen.”
“Noted,” he said as he ran his hand over her cheek.
“Okay then, Let’s see. The last thing here is pretty long. Steele must follow a diet and exercise program that Arsen develops for her. If she is caught straying from the diet and exercise program in any way, she will be punished. All foods and drinks must be consumed within a twenty-four-hour period. The program will include required times to go to bed and wake up.” Her eyes moved to him. “So, you want me to lose weight?”
Arsen got on his knees in front of her. He took her hand in his and kissed the top of it then looked up at her. “Not at all. I love your body and as such I want to keep it healthy. I want you around for a long time after all. These rules are all only to help you be the best you can be. The addition of punishment for falling off the program serves to help you stay on the plan, that’s all. You’re beautiful and I
want you to know that. Everything I will do is only to your benefit.”
“I see, okay then.” She laid the paper on the bed. “So these are the rules for now anyway. I suppose as time goes on you’ll be adding to this.”
He nodded and got up and sat beside her, still holding her hand. “In time when you see just how much I’m doing for you, making things better for you, I think you’ll understand why the dom/sub thing is important. You should want to please me in every way that I want. You should want to show me how thankful you are for me. You should want me to dominate you and make you mine in every way possible.”
“You make it sound kind of romantic,” she said and ran her hand over his leg.
“Romantic? I wouldn’t say that,” Arsen said then stood up. “So, if I change the word Master to my name then you’ll sign it and we can start this?”
“Let me really look it over one more time before I say yes to that. It’s a lot to take in you know,” she picked up the paper and gave it one more read through.
Arsen watched her carefully as she read. He seemed to be noting every little frown she made and Steele was wondering if he was second guessing some of his rules. In the end, she found they were all something that she could live with, or try to anyway.
“Change those words and I’ll sign, Arsen.”
Arsen looked as if he had to stop himself from jumping up and down and Steele was shocked to find him grabbing her up into his strong arms. So un-dominate-like, she thought.
Her next thought was what had she gotten herself into?
Part Four: For Acceptance
STEELE
Step for step, Steele matched Arsen’s strides as they ran side by side in the park near Arsen’s penthouse. Both were wearing the running shoes Arsen had researched and bought them, New Balance 1500v2s.
After only one week, Steele knew more about Arsen than she thought possible. The man himself that was. Not the man he had been or anything about his dealings with the women who had been found dead.
No, not the past Arsen. Only the present Arsen and that man she was falling for more and more with each passing day. He was strict and demanding in many ways, but he was also caring and at times she saw something in his dark eyes that told her he was beginning to soften.
He made his list of rules and she’d followed it better than he thought she would be able to. Arsen showed her respect for how well she managed to understand what it is he wanted from her and why. Her only real weakness with the rules thus far was her love of soda.
The diet he placed her on did not allow any soda ever. Nor caffeine in any form. Her mornings had been hard and the one glass of orange juice that she was allowed each morning was just not cutting it. That’s when he came up with the morning’s activities to get her juices flowing each day.
Steele could say this about the man. He may have strict ways, but when she told him how her body was reacting to the sudden loss of the things that she’d used to get her going, he came up with alternative ideas to get it going again. Though he seemed tough as nails and a real chauvinistic bastard at times, he really was thoughtful and concerned with her overall health and safety.
They ran in the dawn’s light. Earlier than most so they wouldn’t be spotted together. Their relationship was being hidden because of his legal problems. But he had managed to fit in some lunches and a dinner as he introduced her as part of his legal staff when people who knew him came around.
Paul waited at the end of the trail for them. Each morning he took Steele back to her apartment to get ready for school and Arsen back to his to get ready for his day at the office. Then he’d take Arsen with him. They’d pick up Steele and drop her at college, then go downtown to take Arsen to his office.
Steele thought that it was absurd, but Arsen refused to let her take her truck to school. He was more than over-protective and that was about the only thing which grated on her about the man.
They slowed their pace to a walk as they finished up their run. Without looking at her, he said, “I have to commend you on how well you’re keeping up with what I’m asking of you. I think next week I’ll add a little more to our run, maybe another mile.”
“Sounds good,” she said and grazed his hand with the back of hers as if on accident but it was on purpose.
“Thank you for the compliment, Arsen.”
He gave her a sideways glance and took her hand in his.
“It’s deserved, Steele.”
Paul was waiting and opened the door for them to get into the Escalade. “Morning.”
Steele smiled at him. “Good morning, Paul. Thank you again for the ride.”
Arsen helped her in first then climbed in behind her. He did as he had done every morning and tapped his leg for her to put her foot up on. He unlaced her shoe and rubbed her foot for three minutes then did the same thing to the other one.
He’d explained to her about the tendons that needed massaged as she had never been a runner and it would take some time before her feet were in the shape that his were. She found it endearing. People thought he was a man who thought himself better than all women, but that just wasn’t the case with Arsen.
Steele was feeling especially thankful for him and asked, “May I run my hands through your hair, Arsen.”
He nodded without looking at her. She ran her hand up and felt the damp hair under her palm and wished they could go back to his penthouse and shower then dress and go off to their day, like normal couples.
She let out a sigh, and he looked at her. “What?”
“I wish we could just do this thing out in the open is all.” She ran her fingers lightly over his bearded cheek.
“Soon, I hope.” He looked back at her foot that he’d been massaging and after a couple of more seconds he stopped and placed it gently on the floor.
“Is your roommate asking you any questions about why you’re never there?”
Steele shook her head.
“No. She usually doesn’t come in until late anyway and I’ve been telling her I started this new diet and exercise plan so I get up really early. She thinks I’m insane and told me I didn’t need to change a thing about myself.”
“And you said what to that?” He looked at her and her eyes migrated to his.
“Nothing, because it’s none of her business anyway.” Steele’s eyes lit up as she said the words. She knew that was what he wanted to hear. And they were true after all.
His smile told her he was happy. The warmth of his hand on the back of her neck sent chills through her body. “So perfect,” he muttered as he pulled her face to his and took her lips with his.
Steele melted into him and her hands ran over his shoulders and down his muscled arms. She nearly moaned with how well developed his biceps were, but thought better of it.
She’d done so well with his rules that she hadn’t earned even one punishment. Only fantastic sex was her reward for making each day with no infractions of his rules. Steele found it easy so far, but she had to be honest with herself, the soda thing was beginning to haunt her.
He ended his sweet kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “Since it is Friday I can take you to visit your horse this evening before it gets dark. I assume that you miss him since I hired that service to see to him.”
“It would be nice to see Tripper. Thank you, Arsen.” Her fingers trailed over his shoulder.
The car stopped in front of her apartment and after one more kiss she got out and went inside. It was only when she physically got away from Arsen that her brain would begin to work again. His mere presence seemed to take the air from her lungs and replace it with some need for him.
Even as she walked into the house and made her way to the bathroom to shower she ran her tongue over her teeth relishing the taste of him still fresh on them. She sighed as she put toothpaste on her toothbrush and cleaned the remnants of him away.
The shower finished the job and she no longer could smell him on her. But soon enough she’d be sitting in his car with hi
m as he took her to school. Then she’d get a fresh kiss and as he ran his arms around her with a hug before she left him for the day, his cologne would linger through the day, making memories of the night before crop up in her head. Usually at the most inappropriate times.
After dressing and grabbing her laptop Steele found her cell buzzing at her, telling her Arsen was back. Gwen surprised her as she came out of her room, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
“You didn’t come home last night. Where were you, Steele?”
“Um, oh, just out with a friend. I’m going out again tonight, I think,” Steele said with an edge of nerves that suddenly cropped up.
“Well, let me know at least. I was worried about you.” Gwen gave her a wag of her finger.
Steele laughed and opened the door. She didn’t realize that Arsen was already walking up to the door, a frown covering his handsome face. “Okay, Mom,” she said to Gwen.
Gwen’s face looked odd and when she turned to see what she was looking past her at, she saw Arsen. “What’s taking you so long?” he barked.
Gwen was quick to ask, “And this is your friend, Steele? The one you’ve been staying with all these nights?”
“Yeah, I have to go, Gwen.” Steele hurried out and Arsen took her by the arm, hurrying her along to the car.
“You know my time is important. Standing around and chatting it up isn’t a thing you should do while I’m waiting for you.” He threw the door open, and she slid in.
“Sorry, she caught me off guard.” She positioned the laptop on the seat next to her as Arsen got in. “And I was coming, you shouldn’t have gotten out of the car. What if someone saw you?”
“I don’t give a fuck!” He straightened his tie and looked at her. “You’re a person who works for me after all. It’s not beyond the realms that I might give you a ride here and there.”
Hacked For Love & The Dom's Songbird: A Billionaire Romance Collection Page 55
