Page 38 of Shattered Dreams
“What exactly do you think you’re doing, Elizabeth.”
Her teeth scored her lower lip as she tucked a loose piece of her hair behind her ear. “I was going to punish myself. I disobeyed and Master can’t do it without hurting so…”
“You thought you’d do it yourself?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. “Tell me something? Whose job is it punish you?” He kept his tone firm, worry still tugging at him. He needed to examine her, to make sure she hadn’t actually harmed herself.
“Master or you, Daddy.” She hunched her shoulders forward, obviously trying to make herself smaller.
“That’s right.” He moved closer. “Stand up straight and hold your arms out, young lady.”
She looked up, startled. “Why?”
He gave her a hard look. “Do subs get to question their daddies?”
She shook her head and slowly held out her arms from her body. “No, Daddy.”
He nodded, then took first one wrist in hand and examined her outstretched limb. After assuring himself that there were no new cuts, he did the same with her other arm. Relief flowed through him. He’d caught her before she’d harmed herself. “Do I need to request you take off your pants, or do I trust your word that there are no hidden cuts?”
She flushed. “No, Daddy, there are no hidden cuts.” She peeked up at him. “I know I shouldn’t do it, but I feel so bad. I disobeyed and Master was in so much pain because I…and I need to be punished for it, but you weren’t here and…”
He stopped her flow of words by yanking her into his arms. “But I’m here now.” He gathered her close, holding her tight. “In a minute, we’re going to go back downstairs and deal with this. If Maxwell and I decide you need to be punished - we’ll be the ones doing it. Understand?”
A shuddering sigh wracked her slender frame as her arms came around him. “Yes, Daddy.”
Chapter Fifteen
“We’re gonna work this out.” Elliot pulled her down the steps and toward the family room.
“Yes, Daddy.” Even to her own ears, Lizzie didn’t sound so certain. Elliot hadn’t been here when Master had his orgasm or the resulting pain afterward. She’d been too wrapped up in her own needs that she hadn’t even taken into consideration that Max’s body was still mending and having him jerk around in an orgasm hadn’t done him any favors. He had every right to be angry with her. Shehadignored his earlier request.If only he hadn’t made those sexy sounds in his sleep. I know what his “I’m gonna come” groan sounds like.
“Now, I want you to go over and stand in front of Maxwell. He needs to make sure you’re whole.” He released her hand and gave her a nudge toward her husband. “It wasn’t nice to ignore his request to come downstairs so he could assure himself that you hadn’t harmed yourself, Elizabeth.”
She ducked her head in shame. “I know, Daddy.” She stopped on trembling legs in front of Master. He was still sitting in his wheelchair, his expression unreadable. She tucked her arms behind her, crossing her wrists, then shifted her feet until they were positioned under her shoulders, assuming the position he often requested for inspection.
“Strip.” The order came out brisk, allowing no room for protests.
She quickly obeyed, understanding he wanted to make sure she hadn’t harmed herself. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment because Daddy was in the room, and he was getting his first gander at her completely nude body. Not just her ass, because he had spanked her. This was not exactly the way she’d hoped one day he’d see her naked. There was nothing erotic or romantic with this. In fact, it was humiliating.
“Hold your arms out and turn. I want to inspect my property.” Max barked, giving her no quarter – not that she had expected any.
“Yes, Master.” She lifted her arms and did as he requested, not bothering or daring to look at the man leaning against the fireplace mantle. She’d lose it if she saw pity in his eyes. This was different than her earlier punishment. He was seeing all of her flaws – the cellulite on her ass, the silvery lines on the inside of her thighs, the raised scar from the surgery on her knee as a result of her skiing accident, and the small tattoo on her ribcage that she’d had done at Master’s request. Every inch of her was there for his visual consumption, and that frankly worried her. But not as much as the quiet mood of her husband. What was he seeing when he looked at her? Did he even still desire her anymore? It’d been nearly two months since the last time they’d made love, and it’d been a rushed affair before he'd left to meet Storm the morning they’d been shot.
“Thank you,” he finally said, emotionlessly. “Dress.”
Tears pricked at the back of her eyes. She guessed she had her answer. This hadn’t been because he wanted to admire his property or a prelude to sex. It was to remind her that even angry with her, that he was her master. “Yes, Master.” She leaned down to scoop up her shirt and jeans.
“Is that all you have to say, Maxwell?” Elliot remained where he was, but his tone was no nonsense.
“I saw what I needed. There are no new cuts. It’s enough.”
Well, at least he still cared if she hurt herself, she thought. That was something right? She slipped her jeans on, then tugged her t-shirt back over her head.
“No, it’s not.” Elliot sighed. “How is it that you two don’t communicate? Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t all power exchange based on open communication and honesty? This…” He gestured to the space between Master and her. “…isn’t what I saw in that hospital room. What changed?”
“Too much time apart. We’re out of synch. It’ll take time to fix.” Master glanced at her, then beckoned her closer with a wave of his hand. “But no time like the present. Kneel for me, Lizzie.”
Her heart in her throat, she did as requested, sinking to her knees close enough to touch him if she had permission, but far enough back he could see every part of her. It’d been too long since she’d experienced this, she realized as a wash of homecoming enveloped her. The last time she’d knelt for him had been in the hospital.
“Good girl.” He made a frustrated noise. “Why don’t you come over here…Elliot? So, I don’t have to shout across the room at you.” He nodded toward the couch he was parked next to. “Might as well lay all of our cards on the table, so to speak – especially if you’re still interested in being part of our dynamic.”
