Little Dove

by Layla Frost

I both felt and heard his chuckle. “You’re fucking cute.”

  Okay, maybe I didn’t nail it.

  Oh well.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Rattle The Cage

  Maximo

  IT’S GOING TO be a good day.

  After I’d spanked Juliet’s ass the week before, I figured she’d shove a wedge under the door to make sure it didn’t close an inch. It’d been wide open that morning when I’d popped in to taste her mouth and tell her the men and I would be gone until late.

  Unfortunately for her, my mind had been on her sweet mouth and I’d left the house without my cell. I’d stopped home between meetings to find her door closed.

  I was willing to bet she’d closed it as soon as my car had cleared the driveway.

  I opened the door, but she didn’t notice—her headphones were on and her music was cranked so loud, I could hear it. Working at the side of the L-shaped desk, her head was bent over the fabric as she carefully slid pins into place.

  I leaned against the jamb and crossed my arms, taking the minute I didn’t have to study her profile.

  Fuck, she was beautiful. Her high ponytail bobbed as she mouthed along with the song. A small smile curved her lips.

  After a minute, she finally glanced my way before doing a double take. My already thickening cock quickly hardened as her expression morphed from surprise to fear to panic.

  “What’re you doing here?” she shouted. I gestured to my ear, and she slid her headphones off before quietly repeating, “What’re you doing here?”

  “The more important question is why was the door closed?”

  Ballsy girl didn’t try to lie or claim she hadn’t noticed. “I closed it.”

  “Why?”

  “Ms. Vera’s off for the week, and you said the men were going with you. I didn’t think it mattered since the house is empty.”

  “You thought wrong.”

  Her face set in the prettiest pout as she muttered, “I know that now.”

  “Let’s go, Juliet.”

  “Don’t you have a meeting? I don’t want to keep you. We can pencil this in for a later date.”

  “And when would that be?”

  “February thirty-first?”

  Christ, she’s funny.

  Even with all the shit Juliet had been through in her life, she was still soft. Still happy. She could’ve justifiably turned bitter and jaded, but she hadn’t. She stayed sweet.

  Too bad that didn’t make me lenient. It was the opposite. It made my need to control and keep her even stronger.

  “Here or our room?”

  She sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Our room.”

  Dramatic as she was acting, she didn’t put up much of a fight as she followed me into the hall.

  If I didn’t know any better, I’d think my little dove was just rattling her cage to see if she could get away with it…

  Or maybe she wants to receive the punishment as badly as I want to give it.

  As we entered the room, her steps slowed. She wrapped her arms around herself. “I don’t get why it matters that the door was closed.”

  “Because I said so.”

  “Yes, but why?”

  I wasn’t used to explaining myself. I said something, it was done.

  Simple as that.

  But treating Juliet with those same expectations had been a misstep. She wasn’t used to it, and until I had her trust, she wouldn’t blindly obey.

  There’d be other orders she’d need to follow without explanation, but the door rule was one I could clarify.

  Curling my hand around the side of her neck, I used my thumb to tilt her jaw up. “I want it open so when I’m sitting at my desk, I can see you.”

  “But you weren’t even home,” she pointed out.

  “And look how long it took you to notice me standing there.” My jaw clenched. “It was dangerous.”

  “This place is locked down like Fort Knox. Cole installed that panic button on the wall literally a foot from my desk.”

  “If you’ve got the door closed, how would you know you needed to push it until it was too late? And while we’re at it, no wearing headphones when you’re home alone. I’m adding to the rules.”

  Surprisingly, she smiled and stepped closer. “The only person after me is a big, angry Daddy who wants to spank my ass.”

  Fucking hell, she’s out to kill me.

  Gripping that tight ass, I pressed her body flush to mine. “The door stays open and no headphones when I’m gone. Understood?”

  She nodded, and her eyes darted to the side to focus on the bench. “Since I didn’t know why you wanted—”

  “Nice try, Juliet.” Releasing her, I sat on the bench. “Lower your pants and panties, but keep them around your ankles.” Once she had, I positioned her over my legs. “Ten today.”

  “Ten? It was only five—”

  “I can make it thirty.” I rubbed my palm over the curve of her ass, pausing and starting again so I could hear her breath catch. Just as she began to relax, I lifted my hand and brought it down on the center of her ass cheek, the sharp sound breaking through the calm silence.

  “Ow!” she cried, trying to sit up.

  Placing a hand between her shoulders, I held her still as my palm connected again, aiming for the same spot.

  She cried out again. “That hurt!”

  “That’s the point.” I spread the next seven around before the last landed on the same spot as the first two.

  By the time I was done, her pretty pale skin was bright red. My hand went between her thighs to find her just as wet as the day before, if not more.

  I stroked two fingers through her slit before slamming them in. Finger fucking her, I moved my other hand from between her shoulders to her hair, gripping her ponytail and turning her head so I could see her.

  Blinking up at me with tears in her eyes, her face flushed and damp, Juliet was never more beautiful. Because she was at ease.

  Happy.

  She’s made for what I give her, and I’m the lucky bastard who gets to show her that.

  Juliet made a murmur of protest when I slid my fingers free and sat her upright. Unlike the day before when I’d played with her at the bench, I stood and carried her to the bed.

  Because her punishment wasn’t over.

  Setting her down, I said, “Lie back, feet together, and drop your knees.”

  After only a few seconds of hesitation, she did as I said, spreading herself for me.

  I undid my belt and slacks, shoving them and my boxers down just enough to free myself. Fisting my cock, I stroked slowly.

  Juliet’s eyes heated, her pink tongue darting out to wet her fuckable lips.

  I was tempted to make use of those lips, but if I got them wrapped around me, I’d want to take my time.

  I started going faster, and her hand moved between her legs.

  “No,” I bit out.

  Frustration tightened her features. “Why can’t I touch?”

  “Because you broke the rules.”

  “And you punished me.”

  “And now I’m finishing your punishment.”

  My intentions set in and her gaze narrowed. “You’re not going to let me come?”

  “No.”

  “That’s… that’s torture!”

  “Trust me, little dove, staring at that pussy and not fucking it is torture for me, too.”

  “Then fuck me.” When that didn’t work, she brought out the big guns. Wide green eyes looked up at me and a small, sexy smile curved her lips as she whispered, “Please, Daddy. I need you.”

  Jesus fucking Christ, she’s not out to kill me.

  I’m already dead.

  There was a mistake, and I got sent to heaven with this angel.

  And I’ll kill any motherfucker who tries to take her away from me.

  “Push your shirt up and free your tits. Then use your fingers to hold your pussy lips open. Do not touch more than that, or I’ll blindfold you so you
can’t watch.”

  She instantly followed my directions. My gaze alternated between her spread pussy, her tits, and her face. Hers stayed locked on my fist as I rubbed up and down my length—going quicker, squeezing harder.

  The pressure built before the first shot of come hit her spread pussy. I aimed my fist just in time for the rest to land on her tits and stomach.

  Fists to the bed on either side of her, I hung my head to catch my breath as I stared at my come splashed across her soft skin.

  Mine.

  Standing upright before my resolve weakened, I tucked my still hard cock away and redid my pants and belt.

  “Are you really not going to make me come?” Juliet asked.

  “No.” Grabbing her wrists, I pulled her to sit before adjusting her bra and shirt back into place.

  Pinching the fabric of her top, she pulled it away from where it clung to the stickiness. “I need to go shower.”

  “No,” I repeated. With one last tease of my fingertip through her slit, I tugged her panties and pants up her legs, pausing to help her stand before sliding them over her raw ass.

  “I can’t stay like this all day.”

  “You will. No showering. No wiping it off.” I gripped her chin and tilted it up. “And no playing. I’ll know if you do. If you follow the rules, I’ll eat your pussy when I get home. If you don’t, I won’t let you come for a week.”

  Panic filled her expression and voice. “A week?”

  “Or longer.” Lowering my mouth to hers, I kissed her hard, my tongue spearing in to taste her. I forced myself to end the kiss and move away. “I’ve got to go.”

  She looked disgruntled and dazed. “You’re actually leaving?”

  “I have to, I’m already late.” I walked out to the hallway before turning back. “Remember the rules.”

  “I know, I know.”

  “Juliet.”

  “Maximo,” she mocked.

  So distracted by that smart mouth, I nearly left without my phone again.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  This Could Be Fun

  Juliet

  I LIVE IN here now.

  Not in this house, just in this shower.

  I’d known the shower in Maximo’s—our—room would be nice, but I hadn’t known it would be so glorious, I wouldn’t want to get out.

  It had a waterfall that fell over my head and multiple shower heads that gave a water massage as they hit my body at different spots.

  And since I was sore, it was much needed.

  Maximo hadn’t gotten home the night before until long after I’d gone to bed. Since I’d followed his rules, he’d woken me with his mouth between my legs. After I’d come from his tongue and fingers, he’d bent my knees up to my chest and fucked me at a mind-blowing angle while staring at our connection.

  It’d been intense and hot and had left me tender in places I never knew existed.

  When my stomach growled too loudly to be ignored, I turned the water off. I dried off and went to raid Maximo’s joggers.

  But when I opened the armoire, it wasn’t only filled with his stuff.

  The right half held my pajamas, too.

  Huh?

  Crouching, I tried the drawers at the bottom, and all his boxers and socks had been moved to the left. The ones on the right were empty.

  On a hunch, I stood and went to the walk-in closet, flipping on the light as I entered.

  Maximo’s clothes were neatly hung to the left. His shoes, belts, and watches were in their spots at the side of the island.

  Like the armoire, my clothes were on the right. My shoes and limited accessories were placed on that side of the island.

  There was something about seeing my clothes with Maximo’s that freaked me out a little but made me happy a whole lot more.

  I’m not just sleeping in here with him.

  I live with him.

  Grabbing the ripped black crop I’d made, I put it on without a bra since I hadn’t located those. I went commando for the same reason and pulled on a pair of my own joggers. Not bothering with socks or shoes, I left the room and headed for Maximo’s office.

  Despite the fact he was working from home, he wore black slacks and a dark gray shirt with the sleeves rolled. His shoulder held his phone to his ear as he typed on his computer.

  Catching sight of me checking him out, a smile curved his lips. He pushed away from his desk and I went right to him, letting him settle me on his lap while he spoke to someone about orders or venders or something. I wasn’t following the business-y conversation to begin with, but once his hand slid under my tee, my attention waned further.

  Skimming up, he touched my bare breast before freezing. His arm reflexively tightened, as did the rest of him.

  “What did you say?” he asked, tweaking my nipple before palming my breast.

  I must not be the only one having trouble concentrating.

  He waited for all of three seconds before saying, “Never mind, we’ll talk about this later.” He ended the call and tossed his phone to the desk before wrapping his other arm around my waist and shifting me so my back was flush to his front. Pushing under my shirt to palm my other breast, he dipped his head to nip my neck.

  “Do they not feed you enough?” I asked, my voice breathy.

  “Hmm?” he rumbled.

  “You seemed a little hangry on the phone, hanging up like that. Now you’re biting me. Should I ask Freddy to make you an omelet?”

  “I like seeing you marked as mine,” he said, his possessive words making me hot and wet and happy. Releasing his tight grip on my breast, he cupped me between the thighs. “And the only thing I want to eat is right here, little dove.” He worked me through the fabric for a moment. “If you’re not wearing a bra, does that mean you’re not wearing panties?”

  “I couldn’t find them,” I muttered.

  Goosebumps spread across my skin as his lips skimmed my neck lightly. “Marco moved everything yesterday while you worked. I didn’t want him touching those.”

  That was good, I didn’t particularly want Marco touching them, either.

  “I thought you sent him to make sure I followed the rules, not to be a moving man.”

  “That, too.” He loosened his hold and shifted me so he could see my face. “Are you upset?”

  “Would you let me move the stuff back if I were?” I shot back.

  “No. I want you in my bed. In my space.”

  “I like being in your bed and space. Plus, it makes more sense to have my stuff there so I don’t have to take a naked sprint down the hall after I shower in the morning.”

  “You can always take a naked sprint here.” He tilted his head and rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. “Actually, that might be a new rule. It’d make the video conference calls more interesting.” Even though he was the one who’d made the joke, his jaw clenched. “Never fucking mind.”

  I couldn’t hold in my laugh, not that I tried too hard.

  “Oh, you think that’s funny?”

  “Hilarious.”

  Maximo shifted me up so my ass was on his dick, and my laughter cut off at the feel of him hard beneath me.

  I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the way he felt. Or the way he looked. Or the way he wanted me.

  “You drive me insane, dove.”

  “That feeling is very mutual.”

  His smile was equal parts tenderness and sinfulness.

  God, how is this my life right now?

  Averting my gaze because some things were just too beautiful to look at for long, I saw his phone was lit up with a ton of notifications. “What’s on the schedule today?”

  “I have another phone meeting in,” he glanced at his watch, “five minutes ago. And then I need to go to Nebula and Star.”

  “Do you ever take a day off?”

  “Not usually.”

  “Do other casino owners work as hard as you?”

  “No, most of them delegate and collect money from other people’s hard wor
k. I’m too controlling for that.”

  “You? Controlling? Neeeeever.”

  He gave me the look and the voice. “Juliet.”

  “Maximo,” I shot back, mimicking his deep voice.

  “Brat.”

  “Control freak.”

  His sinful, sinister smile was back, causing a tremor to run down my spine. It should’ve been from fear, but it was from an overwhelming amount of lust.

  “I can reschedule my meetings and stay here to show you how much of a control freak I can be.”

  I jumped off his lap and backed out of his reach. “No, no. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of your work.”

  But even as I said it, wetness pooled between my thighs. The coil of need he’d loosened last night with his tongue and cock tightened inside me.

  “Kiss me, Juliet.”

  I bent and pressed my lips to his, darting my tongue in to soak up the taste of bitter black coffee and Maximo.

  Sinful.

  Smoky.

  Dark.

  And so damn hot.

  I stood when his phone started loudly vibrating on the desk.

  “Jesus, someone wants to die,” he bit out, reaching for it.

  I hurried for the door, not wanting to hear him rip someone a new one.

  “Black,” he answered. “Yes. Yes. Hold on. Juliet.”

  I froze in the hallway and turned back to look at him. “Yeah?”

  “Like the shirt. One of yours?”

  I nodded.

  “Looks like something one of the stores at Crystals would sell for a shit-ton. I’m impressed, dove.” His expression hardened, and even though it’d only been a few days, I knew what was coming.

  Daddy mode.

  “But I don’t want anyone else seeing the way your pretty tits peek out of those holes. Put a bra on.”

  “Got it.”

  “Freddy’s bringing you breakfast in the sewing room. I’ll be home for dinner. And I’ll take tomorrow off. Anything you want to do, we’ll do it.”

  I grinned, and his eyes dropped to focus on my mouth.

  He sat forward like he was going to stand.

  “Your call,” I reminded him.

  “Fuck my call.”

  I really hope he muted it.

  “I don’t have time to make out. I have to move my bras and panties into our room.”

  It was his turn to smile and my turn to stare.