Chapter 57: Chapter 57

Bonus Chapter

As Eric Miller got out of his vehicle, his eyes fell instantly to the red Audi occupying the parking spot next to his. Ana had left a week and a half ago to stay with her mother in Georgia for a few days before flying back to Washington so she could spend Christmas with her stepfather, Ray.

It was something she'd insisted appear in their contract before she signed, and Eric—having no idea at the time how accustomed he'd grow to having her whenever he wanted her—had agreed without hesitation. The truth was, he would have agreed to almost anything to get her to sign.

He now considered it the worst decision he'd ever made.

It galled the hell out of him to know that she was a meager two hours away, yet he wasn't able to see her. He couldn't help but wonder if she felt the same. Ten days hadn't seemed like such a large period of time before Ana, but after she'd agreed to become his submissive, it hadn't take him long to realize just how long four and a half days was. They'd quickly amended the contract to include six p.m. Wednesday nights to five a.m. Thursday mornings. Though there were times when Eric could barely drag his ass to the office, the reward of having Ana in his playroom had been more than worth it.

She wouldn't be returning for another four days, and Eric was counting down every damn one of them. He stepped into the elevator, entered his code, and leaned against the back wall of the elevator as he let out a tired sigh.

The first thing Eric noticed when the doors opened was the smell of cinnamon drifting in the air. Though he tried to ignore the holidays, Mrs. Jones never let him get away with it. Her persistence made him grin before pocketing his keys and heading for his office.

A sliver of light coming from the living room stopped him; she must have turned the fireplace on for him. Having no need of it, as he had to be at his parents in a few hours for their annual holiday bash, he stepped into the living room.

And froze in his tracks.

The sight that greeted him nearly took his breath away. Wearing nothing but a red silk bra and matching thongs, she was kneeling in front of the fireplace. Chin resting on her chest, she had her hands clasped behind her. Her hair fell in waves over her shoulders, hindering her breasts from his view. It was more enticing than it would have been had they been bared for him. The glow from the fireplace surrounded her like a halo, giving her an angelic appearance. The quickening of his heartbeat surprised him almost as much as the relief that had consumed him when he'd first seen her.

"Ana," he breathed.

The longing in his tone warmed Ana more than the fire behind her could have, and any reservations she might have had about returning to spend Christmas with him vanished. Though she was desperate for even just a glimpse of him, she forced her gaze to remain on the floor as his footsteps approached.

"Look at me," he commanded softly as he came to a stop in front of her.

She tilted her head back so she could look up at him; as usual, just the sight of him was enough to take her breath away. "Sir," she whispered obediently.

"Where did you get the pearls, Ms. Thompson?" he asked sharply. And just like that, dominating Eric was back.

Ana clasped her hands tighter in an effort to keep from reaching her neck. "They were a gift from Ray," she answered.

His eyes locked on hers as he reached forward; he wrapped the white beads around his fist and tugged gently. "On your feet," he ordered.

Ana complied immediately, though she was surprised she didn't topple over in her haste. As his fingertips ghosted lightly over her shoulder, she marveled at the reverence in his touch.

"I thought you weren't coming back for another four days," he said.

Was it her imagination, or was his voice hoarse? When her tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip, Eric's grip on the pearls tightened in response.

"Answer me," he persisted.

Ana swallowed past the lump of anxiety in her throat, though it wasn't from fear. Being physically vulnerable in front of Eric was one thing, but she loathed baring herself to him emotionally as it wasn't something he ever reciprocated. "It was too long to be apart," she admitted begrudgingly.

Miller eyes darkened as his head swooped down, Ana's lips parted the instant his mouth found hers. His tongue drove forth, and she groaned at his familiar taste, wincing when he quickly pulled away.

"I have a party to attend this evening," he informed her.

"Do you want to call me when you're back?" she asked trying to hide her disappointment.

"I'd like you to accompany me," he countered hesitantly.

"Oh," she said in a small voice.

His eyebrows arched expectantly as he waited for her answer.

"Of course."

"Good. There's a green, knee length dress in your closet. Wear that," he instructed as he began to walk away.

"Yes, sir."

He came to an abrupt halt and glanced at her over his shoulder. "And Ana?"

"Yes?" she asked, her heart pounding.

His gaze raked over her body. "I like the red."

Ana couldn't stop the smile that made its way across her face.

It had taken only a few nights in Georgia for Ana to realize that pleasuring Eric had become her greatest desire. It had been a startling revelation, but once the idea had taken root, she hadn't been able to get back to him fast enough.

Eric pulled the cream colored sweater over his head and glanced at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He combed his fingers through his hair in an effort to tame it, and then went to see how close Ana was to being ready.

A slow grin spread across his face as the image of her kneeling in front of his fireplace came back to him; he felt his dick throb in response. There was nothing he'd wanted more than to take her to his play room, taunting her…fucking her until she couldn't move. But there was no point in starting something he couldn't finish. His parents were expecting him in less than an hour, and that just wouldn't suffice for what he had in mind for her homecoming. The thought that he'd go to the party without her—knowing she was here waiting for him—was laughable. She was right; they'd been apart for far too long.

And he needed his fix.

Her bedroom was empty, so he quickly made his way to her bathroom; his breath caught at the sight of her. The knit green dress clung so perfectly to her curves that he almost insisted she change; the only thing that stopped him was that he couldn't bear the thought of not seeing her in it. Her eyes were closed and she was humming softly as she gathered her hair into a simple pony tail before wrapping a hair tie around it.

He moved silently forward, coming to a stop just behind her. When her eyes finally opened, her hand flew to her throat and she gasped in surprise. "I didn't hear you come in."

"I missed you more than I should have, Ana," he growled as he pushed her pony tail over her shoulder.

"You did?" she asked breathlessly, tilting her head to the side as he left a string of hot, open-mouth kisses over her neck. There was something intimate about having Eric in her bathroom while she was getting ready.

"Yes," he answered as he reached around her for the tube of brick red lipstick that was lying on the counter. He pulled the top off before handing it to her. "It matches your new lingerie," he said huskily.

After a single swipe, she rubbed her lips together, then once again met his eyes in the mirror. "One more."

Another swipe and Eric's nod of approval, and she put it back on the counter, then turned around to face him.

He lifted his hand out in front of him. "Panties."

Without missing a beat, she reached up under her dress and shimmied her panties down over her legs before handing them to him. "They're damp," she informed him.

He groaned as he lifted them to his nose and inhaled deeply before dropping them to the floor. "Oh, Ana."

He stepped forward and cupped her face with his hands, his thumbs stroking her cheeks as he brushed his lips over her eyelids. "If I'd known you were going to be waiting for me, Ana, I'd have come home earlier so we would've had time to play."

"I wanted to surprise you," she said breathlessly as his hands fell to her waist.

"I have a surprise for you, too," he said huskily. She gasped when he spun her around, her hands flying out to grab the counter. "Bend over," he hissed in her ear.

She gripped the counter as she leaned forward, and Eric ran his palms up over her thighs as he pushed her dress up. He thrust his knee between her legs, moving it from side to side as he urged her to widen her stance for him.

"Tonight you will act as my equal, Ana. But know that you are still my sub, and you should desire to please me."

"Always." His ability to carry on casual conversation as if he wasn't getting ready to fuck her never ceased to amaze her.

"If you displease me in any way, Ana, you will be punished."

"Yes, sir."

"I want you to call me Eric tonight."

"Yes, sir." She yelped as his grip on her waist tightened.

"Say it."

"Eric."

"I like my name on your lips," he said, surprising her when he reached for the clasp of her new necklace. The pearls fell from her neck, swaying gently from side to side as Eric held onto one end.

"Are you ready, Ana?" he asked, not bothering to wait for an answer. She gasped at the unfamiliar sensation; instead of his fingers, Eric had pulled the pearls taut and he was pulling them back and forth, moving them ever so slowly between her slit.

"Eric!" she cried as her thighs began to tremble. "What are you—oh!" She groaned as he dragged them over her core. "Oh, God!"

"Do you like that, Ana?" he asked.

"Yes!" Her fingers tightened on the counter. "Oh…so much!" she moaned.

She tried not to come, but the friction from the pearls was already too much; when Eric fell to his knees behind her and drew her core into his mouth, it was too late.

"Can you stand?"

"Yes," Ana answered weakly as she straightened.

Eric gently pulled her skirt back down over her thighs, chuckling when she fell back against him. His arms wrapped reflexively around her waist.

"Maybe not," she admitted sheepishly.

"Are you ready to go?" he whispered against her ear.

"But…what about you?" she asked.

His reflection grinned back at her. "Anticipation is half the fun, Ms. Thompson."

"You don't want to…"

His heated gaze met hers in the mirror. "Yes, I want to. But I'm not going to."

He turned her around so she was facing him again, then lifted the pearls until they were hanging above her. "Tilt your head back and open your mouth."

Her eyes widened in surprise, but she did as he'd requested. He lowered them until a single bead touched her tongue. "Suck."

She drew them gently into her mouth, surprised by the tangy flavor.

"Harder, Ana," he commanded harshly.

She sucked heartily on the beads, pulling them into her mouth one by one until he pulled them back out and handed them to her. "I want you to wear them tonight."

She nodded as she took them from him, then turned around and reached for the faucet; his hand stopped her. "As they are."

"Green is your color, Ana."

Eric's voice was husky, but she could barely concentrate on his words. His arm was draped over her shoulder, his fingertips absently stroking her collarbone.

"Thank you, Sir," she said with a shiver.

"Ana," he growled.

"Eric," she amended quickly as her eyes flew to his. "I'm sorry."

He surprised her with a grin that made her heart flip. "Fair warning, Ms. Thompson. If you call me 'Sir' in front of my family, you're going to spend the evening answering questions I don't think you want to answer."

"Your family?" She couldn't hide the shock in her voice.

To her dismay, his fingers stilled on her flesh. "Yes. My family. Where did you think we were going?" he asked with a frown.

"A work thing, I guess," she answered.

"No," he said. "It's an annual Christmas party that my mother hosts for her colleagues," he explained.

She laughed nervously as the limousine came to a stop. "So I shouldn't tell your mother that her son has a penchant for spanking?" she teased.

Eric's door opened before he could answer and he stepped out, taking a moment to smooth his jacket before turning around and offering her his hand. She reached forward and he tugged gently until she was standing, her body flush with his. "Thank you, Eric," she whispered.

He groaned as he lifted a hand to cradle the back of her neck; his eyes darkened as his thumb caressed her cheek. "I let you come earlier as a welcome home gift, Ana," he said firmly.

"I understand," she whispered.

"No matter what happens tonight—you. Do. Not. Come. Do you understand that?" he asked as his grip on the back of her neck tightened.

"Yes," she breathed, trying to concentrate on what he was saying. It was hard when he was this close; they'd been apart for days, and the fact that they were about to spend the better portion of their evening with the people inside was too much. She needed him inside of her now!

He nodded. "Good." He stepped back and reached for her hand. "Shall we?"

"Your parents act as if you've never brought a woman home before," Ana remarked half an hour later as Eric stopped a waiter for some wine.

He grinned as he handed a glass to her, and then took a sip of his own. "Mmm…" he said appreciatively, tossing his head back as he swallowed.

"That good, huh?" she asked in amusement.

"I'm sorry?"

"The wine," she said, pointing to his glass

Eric frowned. "It's OK."

"You just groaned like it was the best thing you've ever tasted," she said with a laugh.

"That's because I can still taste you, Ana."

Her jaw dropped at his declaration. "I can't believe you just sai—"

"Ana!"

She spun around just in time for Kate to wrap her arms around her. "I wasn't expecting to see you here!" her friend exclaimed in surprise as she gave her a big hug. Ana returned her friend's embrace cautiously as she tried to steady her other hand in an effort to keep her wine in the glass.

"I wanted to spend Christmas with Eric," she explained as Kate pulled away.

"Well, I'm glad to see you! I thought-" Kate gasped as her eyes landed on the pearls around Ana's neck. "Ana," she breathed. "Those are gorgeous!"

When Kate reached toward them, Ana hastily retreated until she slammed against Eric's chest. His hand wrapped round her waist to steady her, and she could swear she heard him chuckle.

"They're very fragile!" she blurted.

Kate's eyebrows drew together in confusion. "OK. How…was…your trip?"

Ana nodded exuberantly. "It was great!" she exclaimed.

"You might want take it down a notch," Eric advised in a whisper as he gave her waist a gentle squeeze.

She took a deep breath and smiled, lifting her hand until her palm was resting against his knuckles. She laced her fingers through his and sighed, then met her friend's gaze. "But I'm glad to be home," she confessed.

She was spared from further conversation when Elliot appeared behind Kate. "Eric." His eyes widened when they landed on Ana. "What a surprise," he said evenly, but Ana didn't miss the curious look he gave his brother.

"It's good to see you, Elliot," she said.

"Likewise," he returned as a knowing smile made its way across his face. "I bet my mom loved meeting you."

Eric cleared his throat. "Elliot—"

"Did Eric tell you you're the only woman he's ever brought home?" Elliot interrupted.

"No, he didn't," she admitted as she felt her cheeks begin to burn. Had Eric felt obligated to ask her to come with him tonight? She thought he'd been glad to see her; she'd certainly been thrilled to see him. But maybe her leaving over the holidays had been a relief for him. Maybe he'd seen it as an opportunity to spend time with his family without having to explain their relationship to anyone.

"Well, you are." Elliot's smile broadened. "And—"

"You've already said too much," Eric cut in.

"As I usually do," Elliot agreed with a chuckle.

"There's Dr. Williamson," Eric commented. "I wanted to be sure to say hello to him tonight. Ana?"

Ana flashed her friend one last grin before following Eric's lead.

"Are you OK?" he asked when they were out of Kate and Elliot's sight.

"Yes," she answered. "I just…didn't expect to see Kate here."

Eric's eyes danced as he reached forward and ran a finger along the strand of pearls. "That wasn't so hard, was it?" he teased.

Ana felt her face flush. "You know where they've been," she reminded him.

"Mmmm…" he agreed as he placed his empty wine glass on an expectant waiter's tray. "And I know where they're going."

"Eric," she breathed.

"Have I mentioned my fondness for naughty things and public places, Ana?" Eric asked as he quirked a brow.

"No," she answered uncertainly, stepping back as Eric stalked forward. With just a few steps, she found herself trapped against the wall. He splayed his hand beside her head and leaned forward, taking a deep breath. "You smell so fucking good, Ana," he told her.

"So do you."

He lifted his other hand and used his fingertip to trace a path from behind her ear and down her neck, stopping just above the V of her neckline. She felt her nipples tighten in response.

"Please…" she begged.

"Please, what, Ana?" he pressed as he leaned forward and nipped at her jaw.

"I can't…I'm not…" Her voice trailed off as she took in a big gulp of air; her fingers tightened around her wine glass.

"You're not what?" he growled.

"I'm not wearing panties," she whispered.

"I know that, Ana. I'm the one who left them on the bathroom floor," he remarked dryly.

"Did you also know that I'm wet?"

He jerked his body back and his gaze fell immediately to her thighs.

"I like it when you're wet," he said with a confused expression on his face.

Ana cleared her throat. "There's nowhere for it to go."

Her tone was so faint he had to strain to hear her. "Fuck, Ana," he bit out when her words finally registered.

"I'm sorry!" she said quickly.

"Do not apologize for wanting me," he admonished.

She nodded as she bit down on her lower lip.

Eric groaned as he reached for her hand. "Follow me."