Page 13 of Candy Cane Chains

In the living room, boxes of ornaments wait beside a towering evergreen. White lights are already arranged on it, but the rest has been left. It's one of the final touches I have to put on the apartment.

I position her in front of the tree, my hands on her shoulders. "Start with the white ones."

She reaches for the box of white ornaments. I press against her back, my breath on her neck. "Good girl." I trace a hand up her side. "I do love red and white this time of year."

Her fingers fumble with the ball in her hand. I step back, watching her stretch to reach higher branches. The lace tightens around her body, and I watch the way she moves. My cock twitches.

"Careful," I warn as she wobbles. "Don't want to break anything precious."

She steadies herself, continuing to perfectly place the little baubles. I circle her, adjusting her positions with small touches - a hand at her waist, fingers trailing down her arm.

"The red balls next," I direct, handing her a delicate glass ornament. "You're doing well."

Her breath catches, just like it always does. Ivy might be an event planner - I looked her up while she slept and learned everything I needed to know - but she loves giving up thatcontrol. She hangs another ornament, her movements precise, but I know she's waiting for my approval with each movement.

"Look at you," I murmur, stepping close again. "Decorating my tree in lingerie like the perfect little doll."

She shivers but doesn't stop working. I trace the lace covering her spine.

"Higher," I command when she places an ornament too low. "You can do better than that."

I smack her ass as she shifts up on her heels. The lace rises up her body, teasing me with more skin. I watch a flush crawl up her body, revealing how much she loves that treatment.

"That's it." I praise as she follows my instruction. "You're learning to take direction so nicely."

Her hands shake slightly as she reaches for another decoration. I steady her wrist, my grip firm.

"Keep going." My voice drops lower. "Show me how well you can follow orders."

She continues decorating, her movements growing more fluid under my alternating touches and commands. The tree slowly transforms, and so does she - becoming more pliant, more responsive with each passing moment.

Eventually I join in, putting little touches here and there to fill out areas. My need for control never lessens, even in this aspect.

I catch her eyes on me again - the third time in as many minutes. Her gaze lingers on my chest before dropping to the floor, her fingers toying with a crystal snowflake ornament.

"See something you like?" I step closer, invading her space.

"I-" She fumbles the ornament, and I catch it before it hits the ground. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, the red lace stretching with each breath. "I was just thinking about my favorite ornaments from home."

"Tell me." I place the snowflake higher on the tree, using my height to reach where she couldn't.

"There's this set of glass birds my grandmother gave me." Her voice steadies as she talks, even as her body remains tense. "They catch the light just right, making rainbow patterns on the walls."

I run a finger down her bare arm. "And?"

"A ceramic angel." She shivers under my touch. "Hand-painted. My mother helped me make it when I was seven."

"Hmm." My hand settles on her hip, thumb stroking the lace. "Very different from what I have."

Her eyes dart to mine again, desire warring with apprehension. I can feel her pulse racing under my fingers where they press against her skin through the delicate fabric.

"Everything here is carefully selected." I grip her hip tighter. "Just like you."

She swallows hard, her hands clutching another ornament like a lifeline. The fear in her eyes only heightens my need to claim her, to mark her as mine. Each trembling breath, each nervous glance feeds the possessive hunger growing inside me.

Taking a few steps back, I settle into the armchair near the tree. Her eyes follow the movement, transfixed. When I pat my knee, she takes a hesitant step forward, then another. The red lace catches the glow from the Christmas lights, casting crimson shadows across her skin.

"Come here," I command, my voice low.

---