I bite into my bottom lip.It still hurts.
“You will always wear my mark, pretty girl.When that one fades, I will mark you again.Every few days.Never in the same spot.It will remind you who you belong to.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You need to sleep now, princess.”Another kiss to my temple.He hasn’t kissed me on the lips.When will he do that?Now doesn’t seem like a good time to antagonize him by asking.“Don’t even think of misbehaving when I’m gone.I will always know.”
“Yes, Daddy.”I’m not sure how he would know what I do alone in my room, but I don’t doubt him.I should never underestimate him.
It seems like between one heartbeat and the next, he’s gone.His absence is palpable.I don’t hear my door open or snick shut, but I know he’s gone.
Slowly reaching up, I ease the blindfold off.I’m shaking badly.It’s all I have the energy for.I pull the covers tighter around my shoulders, curl in on myself until I’m a tiny ball, and fall asleep.
Moments later, my alarm goes off.At least that’s what it seems like.It’s not true, though, because the room is bathed in light.He must have opened the blinds before he left because I know I closed them.It’s too bright.
Groaning, I slide out of bed and shuffle toward my alarm because, yes, it’s still too far to reach.My body aches.And my eyes pop out when I see the time.
Seven.
What the fuck?
I don’t need to be up this early.That’s not what time I set the alarm for.My first class is at ten today.I set it for nine.
I’m about to reset it and climb back into bed when my phone pings on my desk.
My shoulders drop as I pad in that direction.It doesn’t surprise me at all to see a text from Daddy.
Daddy: Fill your tub with warm water, add a scoop of the Epsom salt I left on the edge, and soak for thirty minutes.
Keeping my phone in my hand, I turn back to my bed.I need more sleep.I don’t want to get in the bathtub at this hour.I feel grouchy.Another ping makes me groan.
Daddy: Don’t test me, Briana.Bath.Now.
Is he fucking psychic?I stare longingly at my bed.It’s warm and soft and calling to me.It’s not in charge, though.
Why am I obeying a man I’ve never actually seen?Someone who wouldn’t show his face last night when I asked him to?
There’s a war in my head.The naughty side of me is reaching for the covers that are probably still warm.The good girl in me glances toward the bathroom.
Daddy: I don’t like your silence, naughty girl.You have five minutes to send me a picture of you submerged in the water.If I’m not staring at a picture by seven eleven, I will assume you need another spanking tonight to remind you who’s in charge.
“Fuck,” I mutter.I’m on another precipice.Do I obey my stalker or stop this nonsense?I keep facing this reality.I don’t have to do what this stranger tells me.It’s pure madness.He won’t even show himself.That’s a huge red flag.
A chuckle escapes me.Red flag?All I see is red.My life is one giant red flag.If anyone were to find out what I’ve been doing, they would have me committed.My sanity is in question.
I glance at the time.Seven minutes after seven.I only have four minutes to send him the picture.My ass still hurts from the spanking he delivered two nights ago.I can’t take another one, so I run into the bathroom and turn the water on.
“Comeoncomeoncomeon,” I murmur as I hold my hand under it.I’m going to freeze to death in cold water to get the picture if it doesn’t heat up faster.
Finally, I drop the stopper, yank off my tank and panties, grab a scrunchy for my hair, and step into the water.It’s rising.It’s nowhere near high enough yet.But it’s filling.
I grab the bag of Epsom salt, measure a scoop into the water, and lower myself into it.My hands are shaking so badly as I hold the phone up that it’s a wonder I manage to flip the camera and get the selfie.I send it to Daddy right as the time changes to seven eleven.
Jesus… That was close.Naturally, a second later, there’s an incoming text.
Daddy: You hesitated longer than you should have, naughty girl.Who makes the rules?
Holding the phone out of the water, I respond.