by Ivy Nelson
“That’s right. We have some pretty solid evidence and we can get more if we need to.” He paused for a moment to listen. “We appreciate it. We’ll be here. I’ll text you the address.” He ended the call and handed Adara her phone.
“Text her my address. She’s going to head over now.”
What happened next was a whirlwind of events. The attorney arrived and began pouring over everything Carrie laid out for her.
“Wow Mrs. Mercer. This is pretty incredible. Great work.”
“Carrie please. Mrs. Mercer is my mother-inlaw.” Carrie grimaced. There was apparently no love lost between Carrie and her husband’s mother. Tabitha Kelly just chuckled and didn’t seem to notice the rise in tension.
“I’m going to file an emergency motion to get this case thrown out immediately. With this much evidence, there is no reason to go forward with a hearing.”
“What are the odds the judge rules in our favor on a motion like that? What objections will the prosecutor have?” Adara asked.
“I don’t think there will be any. There does seem to be some animosity toward Adara from Homeland but it’s in the courts hands right now so they can’t affect anything. The prosecutor may object on principal without any DNA evidence but hopefully the judge won’t listen to that.”
Adara’s eyes watered again, but she brushed the tears away. She had cried too much already. Michael stood behind the kitchen chair she was sitting in and was massaging her neck and shoulders gently.
“I can’t believe this is really happening. I’m so happy and so sad all at the same time. My poor mother.” In that moment, she wasn’t sure which mother she was referring to. Both the woman who birthed her and the woman who raised her had endured so much. But so many things were clearer now that she knew more of the story. How was she supposed to process all of this? It was overwhelming. But hopefully tomorrow she would have the burden of immigration court off her shoulders. Once that was behind her, she could focus on finding out more about her mother, and yes, her father. Thoughts of the terrible things he was known to have done sent a shudder through her, but it was still prudent to know who he was and where she came from. What if she had kids someday? Medical history was important. When the chaos died down, and Carrie, Peter, and the attorney had all left, Adara sat at the kitchen table staring at everything Carrie had left for her.
What if the judge wanted DNA evidence? How was she supposed to get that with her mother buried in another country? She shook her head. Now wasn’t the time to think about that. Michael sat across the table watching her. She smiled up at him as she gathered the scattered papers and stacked them in front of her.
“I’m sorry your plans for me got derailed.”
Michael raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious right now? We just got potentially the best news ever. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. My plans can wait.”
His understanding comforted her.
“Thank you for that. Do you mind if I go to my room and read more of this stuff? I’m too excited to sleep but I’m feeling exhausted.”
“Of course, Angel. Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.” He stood and offered his hand as she picked up the stack of papers. Grasping his outstretched hand, they meandered down the hall. Once in the guest bedroom, she set the papers down and turned to face him.
“I’m glad you were here for me today,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around his waist.
His arms circled her and hugged her tightly and he planted a kiss on the top of her head. “I’m glad too.”
With one arm still around her, he lifted her chin to look at him. “You’re special to me, Angel. I didn’t like the thought of losing you.” One more kiss settled gently on her cheek before he said, “I’ll leave you to your reading.”
It was nearly two in the morning before Adara fell asleep. She was bleary eyed but full of hope when her attorney went into the judges chambers without her the next morning. Unfortunately, the hope didn’t last long.
“The judge denied our motion. Says we can present our evidence at trial and it’s not enough to warrant throwing out the case,” Tabitha said when she emerged from the judges office. “The only thing he would throw it out for is evidence as equally compelling as the DNA test that got us here in the first place, meaning we’re going to have to find a way to link you to your mother through DNA.”
“How are we supposed to do that if she’s dead and buried in another country?” Adara asked as the knot of panic that had formed in her belly grew stronger.
“Hopefully some of your mother’s relatives are still alive. Looks like we need Carrie Mercer again,” Tabitha said. “I could work on tracking some of them down but she’s probably already got leads she can follow up on.”
Michael already had his phone out. Carrie was all too happy to help and offered to meet them back at Michael’s house. When they got there, she was waiting at the front door without Peter who was apparently working on something else.
“Got any coffee?” she asked as soon as Adara and Michael were out of the car. “Master took my energy drinks and hid them,” she said with a pout.
Michael just shook his head as he unlocked his front door.
In the kitchen, Adara sat at the table, expecting Carrie to follow, but she set up her laptop on the island instead.
“Are you sure you don’t want to sit at the table?” Adara asked while Michael brewed coffee.
“Not really,” she said as she started punching keys on her laptop. “Apparently even though I added Sir, telling Master to bite me was inappropriate.” She flashed air quotes as she said the last word. From across the kitchen, Michael roared with laughter.
“You had to have known that wasn’t going to end well for you.”
“I think it ended perfectly well for me,” she said with a grin and a wink. Adara stared, open mouthed. Michael set coffee on the island next to Carrie and threw Adara a wink of his own.
“Thanks,” Carrie said, sipping the coffee with a groan. “Let’s see what we have here. I know your mother had at least one sister. No idea if she’s still alive. Let’s find out.”
For the next hour, Carrie stood at her computer and held an animated conversation with herself that amused Michael and Adara. Amusing or not, it worked because by the time she was done, Carrie had learned that Adara’s aunt was indeed still alive and in an assisted living facility in Pennsylvania.
“Do we just ask for her DNA? What’s the procedure here?” Adara asked.
“We can start with asking. If that doesn’t work, we can get a court order. Peter can send one of his investigators to ask, though it might be better coming directly from you.”
“I would prefer Adara not leave town but if I need to, I’ll take her.” Irritation flashed in Adara at the way he spoke for her, but she let it slide. For now.
### For the second time in less than a week, Michael sat with Adara while they waited for her attorney to come out of a meeting with the judge. After Peter sent one of his investigators to Pennsylvania and successfully collected a DNA sample, they had rushed to get the results back. Much to everyone’s delight, the results were what they had hoped. Adara was in fact the daughter of Adara Gabai, a hostage and American citizen killed in a hostage crisis from thirty years ago. Tabitha Kelly filed another emergency motion to throw out the case.
They were much more hopeful about this one. No longer caring about optics, Michael sat with his arm slung around Adara and she rested her head against his shoulder. They still had not acted on their agreement to try a no strings relationship. It made sense, there was a lot going on and no strings was also supposed to mean no pressure. He wanted her though. And he dreamed of the things he wanted to to her every night. For some reason she was still sleeping in the guest room. Hard as it was, he was determined not to be pushy about it. Things would work out in time.
The doors to the judges office opened, and both attorneys exited. They shook hands before Tabitha Kelly turned toward them and gave a thumbs up.
“Oh thank God,” Adara said, standing to hug the attorney. “Thank you so much for everything.”
Michael stood and shook the attorney’s hand and thanked her as well. Then he scooped Adara up in a tight embrace. “Congratulations, Angel. I knew it would work out for you.”
Adara sank into him and he just tightened his hold. “I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry or jump up and down,” she said with a shaky voice.
“We can do whatever you want, Angel. I’m here.”
“Thanks. I think I’d just like to stay right here for a minute,” she whispered as she snuggled closer to him.
When she pulled away a moment later, he brushed a stray hair back from her face.
“What would you like to do now?”
“I miss my bed, my house. I want to go home.”
He offered her a tender smile. “Of course, Angel. Let’s go get Hamilton and we’ll go now.” When she grasped his extended hand, he led them out of the courthouse. In the car, he called Peter and asked if it was safe for her to go home. They had cleared it the same day they cleared his.
An hour later, he stood with Adara as she unlocked her front door for the first time in weeks. Watching her, he knew it had to be surreal for her to be back here. The last time, she had been running away. It hit him then, just how close he had actually come to losing her. She let Hamilton in the backyard and they moved to the kitchen.
“I don’t have anything to eat and I probably need to clean out the fridge, but we could order a pizza or something if you’re hungry.
Michael leaned against the kitchen counter watching her move about, running her fingers along the counter tops.
“I’m fine right now. I really just want you, Angel.” His voice was quiet, but it spoke volumes and his eyes were filled with desire. Food was definitely the last thing on his mind.
“We never did finish what we started the other night.” Adara’s voice grew husky and her face turned red. It pleased him that he could have that effect on her so quickly.
“My thoughts exactly. Go to the bedroom, Angel. I’ll be along in a minute.”
Adara didn’t move.
“Have you forgotten our roles, Angel? I told you to do something.” Her eyes flew to his, surprise on her face. Was she not expecting him to continue their game? He would have to fix that.
“What if I don’t do it?” she asked. A challenge? If that’s what she wanted, he could handle it.
“Then I guess you don’t get to come,” he said as he leaned back against the counter and folded his arms.
“I have a vibrator,” she said with a shrug. For some reason that surprised him. It hadn’t come up before. He would have to ask about it later. Not now though. She clearly needed something else.
“It’s going to be like this is it, Angel? You know I can make you feel better than any vibrator. The longer you take to go to the bedroom, the longer your punishment is going to be when we get there and the less time we’ll have to make you come for me.”
“We have all night,” she retorted.
“Not exactly. I’m taking you to dinner with our friends later to celebrate this being over. Now get your naughty ass in the bedroom and wait for me. I promise you won’t regret it.”
There was no movement as she thought about it some more. Her wheels were turning, and she was trying to decide how far she wanted to push him. He was prepared to play this game though. Then, she turned and walked down the hall toward her bedroom.
After rummaging around in her kitchen and finding the items he wanted, he meandered to the back door and let Hamilton back inside. He wanted to make her wait a few minutes. Finally, he sauntered down the hallway thinking about what he wanted to do when he got to the bedroom. Just because he didn’t have his toy bag with him, didn’t mean they couldn’t have a good time. He wondered how he would find Adara when he got to the bedroom.
Eventually, he would expect to find her naked and in a submissive pose when he gave her such an order, but she was still new to his world so he hadn’t taken the command that far this time. The door was closed when he reached it. Instead of knocking, he tossed the door open expecting to startle her. Instead, he was the one surprised. Adara lounged on the bed wearing the Tshirt she had left for him on the bed when all of this first started. He hadn’t taken it with him when he was here. There didn’t appear to be anything on underneath because her curvy bare ass was sticking out from under the shirt.
“You left it,” she said, rolling to her side.
“I gave it to you, Angel. It didn’t feel right taking it back. This is a delightful surprise,” he said waving his hand thelength of her body. “I was thinking I wanted to find you naked and kneeling, but this is so much better.”
A blush flushed her cheeks crimson as she sat up and curled her arms around her knees. “I’m glad you approve,” she murmured.
“I approve very much. I especially like the part where it’s so much easier to get to your bare ass and gorgeous pussy.” Watching her squirm at his words was fun. He placed the shopping bag of items on the chair near her bed. When her eyes wandered to it and back to him, questions were burning in her eyes. It would be fun to let her stew for a little bit longer.
“Lay back, put your arms above your head and spread your legs,” he instructed. “I want to get a good look at you.” Wide eyed, she glanced between him and bag once more before she did as he asked.
“Good girl,” he murmured when she spread her legs. With her arms above her head, it pulled the t-shirt up just enough that he could see all of her most intimate places. It was a vision, a picture he needed to commit to memory. Everything about her body was perfect from the tiny scar on her ankle to the silky mane splayed out beneath her beautiful face and head. She was his angel in every way. Never before had he been in a hurry to commit to a relationship, but with Adara he wanted the world to know she belonged with him. But did she? Or were they still just playing a game? It was hard to know. For now though, he was going to enjoy every inch of her. They could figure out the rest of it later.
Approaching the bed, he toed off his shoes and climbed onto the mattress where he straddled her and braced him self on his elbows above her.
“You’re a perfect angel, Adara. I am delighted to be able to play this game with you. Thank you for that honor.” Emotion filled her face, and it looked as if she might cry at his praise. He always thanked other women for letting him play with him, but never like this. He felt like he needed to make his gratitude known before he made her scream. From pain, from pleasure, and from that fine line between the two.
When it seemed she had composed herself again, he reached between them and cupped her pussy, sliding one finger inside. So hot and wet and ready for him. He didn’t even need to get her worked up. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to tease the fuck out of her for a little while. He slid down the length of her body until he was face to face with her tender folds. Evidence of her arousal glistened there, and he wanted to lap it up. Not yet though, instead, he planted a kiss above her clit, and enjoyed feeling her tense beneath him. With a grin, he hopped off the bed and grabbed his bag of tricks.
“T-shirt off,” he commanded. To his delight, there was no argument, just swift obedience. He shook his head when she started to lay back down. “Come sit at the edge of the bed.”
“I’m going to cover your eyes again. Don’t forget, you always have your safeword if you need it.”
“Yes, Sir.”
He produced the dish towel he had found in the kitchen and covered her eyes with it, securing it behind her head. Before helping her stand, he smoothed her hair as best he could, then sat in the same spot she had just vacated. Pulling her close to him, he planted a kiss on her abdomen before tugging on her arm, indicating he wanted her across his lap.
“Third time’s a charm. Isn’t that what they say?” he asked as he ran his hand down her spine and over the curve of her ass.
“Not sure what you mean.” She sounded breathless.
“Well, I have a wooden spoon here and if I’m counting correctly, this is the third time we’ve tried to give you that experience.” He picked up the spoon in question and placed it on the small of her back.
“Oh,” she whispered.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
“It’s normal. I assure you.” Without warning, he picked up the spoon and brought it down on her ass. It made a cracking noise that sounded much more painful than it actually was.
She yelped, but to her credit she didn’t move.
“How was that?” he asked as he rubbed the slightly red spot that appeared on her backside.
“Different from last time. I’m not sure what to think yet.” The honesty with which she answered him about what she was feeling always pleased him. So many women, especially new submissives were too timid to speak up.
“We’ll just have to keep going until you’re sure then,” he said with a chuckle before bringing the spoon down on her bottom again. This time, she squirmed and let out a little grown. If this were a bet, he would put money on it that she was growing wetter with every smack. After a third smack, he gave her a few seconds of respite before he began really spanking her. Peppering her ass with smacks just hard enough to sting. Soon she was squirming as her ass took on a nice rosy glow. Periodically, he paused to run the spoon between her legs. Every time, she gasped.
After several rounds of this pattern, he stopped and asked, “Are you sure yet?”
“I’ think we’ll start keeping the spoon in the bedroom instead of the kitchen.”
Her answer surprised him and he laughed out loud. “Oh Angel. You never cease to delight me. I’ll buy you a new one for your kitchen. But enough of that for now. Up.” He gave her a little nudge, encouraging her to stand. His hands remained on her waist, steadying her.
“I’m not sure I like being blindfolded. Can we please take it off?”
He considered her request for a moment. “I never want you afraid to tell me you don’t like something, Angel. And, you asked so nicely. Yes. We can take it off.”