“Alright. Talk to ya later.” As Warnerdisconnected, I finally got a text from my errant imp.
Sorry, I got distracted at work. I’llbe there soon.
I was not impressed.
Texting while driving, more than likely.
Vague timeline.
Worked late.
Forgot to text when he left work.
Yes, someone was testing the boundaries tosee what would happen. Deliberate or not, it was time to show Asa that I wasn’tjust playing lip service to the rules I’d set out. Checking on the tracking appthat showed he was about halfway to the house, I snorted and began working outhis punishment.
Heading into the kitchen, I started preheatingthe oven and finished getting dinner together. The plan had been to dosomething simple before we’d go to the club. The chicken and vegetables I’dplanned on roasting in the oven would still work, but I’d thought we’d havebeen doing dinner an hour ago.
Getting everything ready for dinner and forhis punishment didn’t take long. I had the chicken cooking away and hispunishment laid out by the time I heard his knock. Asa looked slightlyapologetic as I opened the door.
Before I could say anything, words camerushing out of him. “I lost track of time and then I was thinking about thetime so I forgot to text you and—”
“No.” I shook my head and stepped back.“Come inside and we’ll talk about your punishment.”
That earned me a wide-eyed look, but mixedin with the hesitation was curiosity and a dash of desire. “But I didn’t meanto disobey.”
“Take off your shoes and go kneel on yourcushion.” The simple order had him sighing and his shoulders slumped.
“Yes, Master.” He went so slowly he wasnearly going backward, but eventually, he managed to follow the instructionsand knelt in place.
As I sat down in front of him, I reachedout and cupped his chin to keep him looking at me. “Hands behind your back thistime.”
When he’d obeyed, quicker this time, Inodded. “What rules did you break?”
He took a moment to think before answering.“I didn’t text you when I was done with work and I didn’t leave work on timelike I was supposed to and I was late for our dinner? I’m sorry.”
Asa started to charge in again, but I shookmy head and he quickly closed his mouth. “You also put my property in danger bytexting and driving, or are you going to tell me you pulled over to send themessage?”
He shook his head slowly. “It was voice-to-text,though.”
“Not good enough.” I let my gaze wanderover his body, deliberately objectifying him, and I had to fight the urge tosmile as he shivered. “What property am I talking about?”
He seemed to have to force himself to relaxand answer. “Me. I’m your property, Master. I didn’t take care of myself, and Ididn’t follow the rules. I’m sorry I worried you.”
That was better.
“I know you’re sorry now. But we need tomake sure you understand this is not acceptable behavior.” Just the impliedthreat of a punishment had his muscles tightening and I could feel the tensionbuilding in him.
Caressing his cheek, I kept his gaze onmine. “I will not allow you to damage something that’s important to me and Iwon’t let you keep me from enjoying my property too.”
Shaking my head, I gave him a disappointedlook. “So you not only endangered yourself, you made sure I didn’t have all thetime we’d agreed on you spending over here.”
He winced. “I didn’t think about it likethat.”
Sighing, he finally looked frustrated withhimself. “And I forgot about the club too.”
That part seemed genuine and honestlydisappointed.
“We’ll go another time. There’s alwaystomorrow night if we want to. I’ll introduce you to the guys again next week soyou can get to know them better, but the point is that you need to remember therules…and you are not on your own anymore.” Letting that sink in, I paused fora moment.
