Page 25 of Surrender

"No. I've...I've never had one. I'm afraid I'll break it somehow."

"Go get it. We'll set it up together."

With a quick smile, she darts from my doorway, and I listen as bare feet patter up the stairs, and down the hallway to her room before pattering back to me. It's a sound I find strangely comforting...soothing. Like this house became just a tiny bit fuller, the way it was always meant to be.

"What do you want to do when you get older? Like, dream career?"

I say, standing, and dragging a chair from in front of the desk to the side. I motion for her to set the laptop down there and take a seat.

"Finances."

That surprises me for some reason.

"Finances?"

"Finances."

I plug in her laptop and get to work click through the set-up sequence, content to leave her future goals well enough alone. Standing this close to her, I get a whiff of her shampoo. Strawberries this time. Last night she came to bed smelling like pine. I guess she's trying them all to see which suits her best. Strawberry doesn't smell bad on her, but it's definitely nother.

"I guess when you grow up without money, money becomes kind of important. Whether you have it or not is the difference between a ham sandwich for dinner or nothing at all. I'd like to understand money more, learn how to make more of it, and make good use of the money that I do earn." Her voice gets smaller. "I'd like to get to a point where I don't have to worry about the lights getting cut off, or if I can eat today."

Her soft confession hits me like a truck. I grew up in a wealthy household, and have done quite well for myself as an adult, obviously. I've never had to worry about the electricity payment or putting food on the table. Growing up with that kind of insecurity is heart wrenching. And when I finally look down into her blue eyes, I see the scared little girl she must have been, growing up. God, she's strong. I know if she stays with me she'll never have to worry about those things again. But she didn't say she wanted tohaveenough money. She said she wanted toearnit. And I admire that drive in her.

"Have you ever thought about college?"

The Fall semester is starting soon. I wonder if it isn't too late to get her in.

She snorts out sarcastically. "Did you miss the part about not being able to afford to eat? Let alone go to college."

Sarcasm doesn't suit her.

"Did you miss the part where I'm a billionaire? With more money than I could spend in a lifetime?"

That sobers her up. "You can't..." she whispers. Our faces are inches from each other where we're huddled over the laptop.

I turn to look at her, raising an eyebrow. "Can't I?"

She looks down at her hands in her lap and picks her cuticle again.

I grab both of her hands in one of mine to stop the self-mutilation. I can't stand the thought of her hurting herself.

"Once we get you set up, take a look at the programs available at Georgetown. Or online universities. I want three different choices by the time we leave for The Envelope. Pros and cons of each, tuition prices and acceptance requirements for the fall."

Wide eyes blink at me, and I know she wants to protest.

I challenge her to argue with me. This is where she'll show me if she's a true submissive, or a brat. There's nothing wrong with brats, but I'm not a brat tamer. I don't have the patience, and I don't find brats cute.

I want someone who will submit to me fully.

I know that shouldn't be Serenity. And maybe that's a good thing. She'll show me she's a brat and it'll kill this growing attraction I have for her.

But her eyes drop sweetly, and she whispers. "Yes, sir."

Fuck.

Chapter fifteen

Serenity

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