Chapter 23
The risk we were taking this evening could backfire on us spectacularly. So I wasn’t entirely impressed with Ash and Rory for indulging themselves before we left. Ash needed to be on top form tonight. All of us fucking well did. It wasn’t that I cared about them fucking, it was more that I needed Ash not to have distractions. Not that I could say anything since I’d been deep inside her this morning after tying her to the headboard and clamping her nipples. She’d been thoroughly punished for her outburst the night before and left with an unfulfilled wet pussy she’d been banned from touching. Something she’d complained vehemently about until I told her to be quiet or she’d be spanked further.
Ash was currently sat between Rory and me in the back of the car whilst Xav drove. He kept putting his hand on Eric’s thigh as if staking a claim. It was admittedly nice to see them finally open about their feelings. They hadn’t been overly affectionate with each other since they’d got together.
Ash leant over to me, her hand running up my chest and adjusting my tie a little.
“How much did you see?” she asked, her voice low.
“Enough.”
More than I wanted. And confessing to myself that I didn’t like the way he spoke to her made me feel shit. I might like to push Ash to her limits but I never degraded her or treated her with anything but respect during sex. So yes, it bothered me and I wasn’t going to say anything to either of them. Wasn’t my place to interfere if it wasn’t an issue for her.
“Quinn…”
“What, little girl?”
Her blue eyes went wide and I realised my tone was laced with irritation.
“Are you upset with me?”
“No.”
Her hand curled around my neck, nails scraping through the short hair at the back of my head.
“You don’t look happy.”
“We’re going to deal with this fucking mess, of course, I’m not happy.”
Her face fell and her hand tightened.
“I’m sorry.” She laid her head on my shoulder. “It’ll be okay. We have each other if all else fails.”
Sadly having each other wouldn’t do us much good if all out war came to our doorstep.
“I don’t think you’re unhappy about that though, Quinn… tell me what’s really wrong.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t shut me out.”
My heart burnt at her words. My little girl was the source of my solace in every aspect of my life. She’d been there for me when I couldn’t handle the shit piling on us any longer.
“I’m not,” I gritted out.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Lie to me.”
I almost spluttered. Since when had Ash learnt to read me so well?
Since you let her in.
“And don’t even think about denying it.”
I kept my mouth shut. Now was not the time for us to be talking about this. I felt the heavy weight of her stare for the rest of the journey. When we stopped, I was out of the car and practically dragging her towards the back entrance of the casino. I punched in the door code and ripped it open, not caring if the others were behind me or not. She didn’t stop me when I dragged her into a cleaning cupboard right next to the lift. It was dark but I could feel her as I tugged her small frame against me.
“I’m not going to interfere in your relationship with Rory, little girl.”
“I knew you were annoyed about that.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. What exactly upset you?”
Every part of me rebelled against telling her.
“I don’t need you distracted.”
“Quinn!” I felt her grip my lapels and shake me. “Tell me the fucking truth or so help me I will hurt you just as much as you hurt me when you lie to me.”
I almost told her the only way she could hurt me is if she left me but the very thought of that made my blood turn cold. A world without this vibrant little girl would ruin me.
“I don’t like how he spoke to you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not fucking repeating what he said.”
“You mean… Oh… I told you I knew he was dark and fucked up, that’s what I find attractive about him aside from the obvious.”
She was silent for a beat, her hands uncurling from my lapels and smoothing over them in the dark.
“Why didn’t you say something to him?”
“I’m fully aware of the way he treats women during sex. We’ve discussed it on multiple occasions. Why do you think I kept warning you? I didn’t think hearing him call you those things would upset me. I don’t like anyone being disrespectful towards you.”
Her hand ran up my chest and curled around my face.
“Quinn… you know he respects me. It isn’t about that. It’s the way he likes to play and I’m okay with it. If I wasn’t, do you think I’d let him say those things and treat me like I’m nothing more than a toy for him to use?”
I didn’t answer her. How could I? She had become his solace and exactly what he needed.
“The first time… it was intense and I struggled with what he wanted. What he needs. Even as I enjoyed myself. I told him if he’s going to treat me like that during sex, he has to show me he cares afterwards. He has to look after me. And he did. He does. Please don’t be upset with him. Please understand. He needs this with me. He needs me. And I need him just as much.”
I wasn’t upset with either of them. Not really. Sometimes this relationship between the five of us was hard to handle. It required a drastic change of mindset. One I struggled with at times even when I wanted to give Ash everything she needed.
I dropped my head and found hers, pressing my forehead against her.
“I just love you, little girl, and sometimes this thing
