Page 21 of Nice

A small blush tinges her cheeks. "No Sir."

My beast wriggles about at her honorific. She's so mellow, so submissive. Maybe now she'll think twice about lying to me.

"It is the first time someone's finished in my mouth though." Her gaze drifts over the room but refuses to land on me.

A smug pride fills me. Knowing that I was a first in some way for her.

"Can I have some more later?"

Ice fills my veins at her words. Unless her palate is used to rotten food and ash, my cum should have been horrific for her. Anyone caught lying suffers the same consequence. Thinking back, most of the women that tried me in this way gagged as I filled them up. Caitlin, on the other hand, took my seed like it was nothing.

"How did it taste to you?"

She tries to avoid my gaze, but I stand over her, forcing her to look at me.

"Crème brûlée? But with just that amazing hint of char after they torch the top. Honestly, the last time I tasted that was when I went to a fancy restaurant for my birthday. It's been my favorite ever since."

My knees threaten to buckle as I force myself away from her. That can't be possible. My cum only tastes like that for good girls, not for liars. Her words and actions swirl about in my brain, threatening to make me dizzy.

"You were telling the truth? That's literally all you've done?" She looks so small and helpless chained to my bench. Fathers, what have I done? I stagger back until my back hits the wall. Every blush, every whimper, all of it replays like a bad dream. I've punished an innocent. Fuck!

I fist my hair in my hands. How could this have happened? The lists are never wrong. Ever. I narrow my gaze as I stare at her. "Kris. Fuck him. He has to be the cause of all this." She crinkles up her nose in that adorable way she does when she's confused. "Fredrick," I bellow, fairly shaking the rafters. Caitlin flinches as I stalk towards her. I don't even look at her as I undo her restraints. I don't have the right to. Shame floods my body, churning my stomach. By the time she's undone, Fredrick is at my side.

“Clean her up and get her some warm clothes. We're visiting Kris."

If he's concerned or surprised, he doesn't show it. Keeping silent, he gathers Caitlin up and leads her out of the room. Pain rips through me as she walks away. She doesn't say anything, but instead keeps throwing me little glances that cut straight through to my heart. My beast rages and roars inside of me, demanding I break every bone in Fredrick's body for touching his woman, but I tamp him down. I can't let him get this close, not when I'm about to see Kris. The last thing I need is the reindeer brigade coming down on me full force for punching out their beloved leader.

I wait until I hear the water running upstairs before I too ascend. The house is eerily silent with just the sound of rushing water interspersed with the howling wind. Thankfully, Fredrick is in the den straightening up some things. I don't think I'd be able to control myself if he were with her while she showered. Growling under my breath, I make my way over to the bar, grabbing my strongest whisky as I watch him putter about.

If he's concerned, he's showing no signs of it. Gripping the glass almost to the point of breaking, I tread back and forth in front of the mantle, my brain zooming about. How can the lists be wrong? More importantly, how could I have been so harsh with an innocent? The beast prowls about inside me, head thrown back in smug satisfaction. Punishment or not, she enjoyed it.

Her arousal still clings to my body like a second skin. Its heady perfume follows my every step. Groaning, I down my drink and set my glass on the mantle, barely cognizant of Fredrick shuffling behind to grab it off the aged wood.

What am I going to do? I sit at my chair and hang my head in my hands. If I had any chance of keeping her, it became thinner after this. Most likely she'll hate me after all I put her through. Any normal human would want as far away from me as she could. It's only natural.

Images of her lithe body, spread and aroused, filter through my brain. My beast taunts me with what I can't have. Glancing over to the list at my side, I snarl and fling it onto the floor. What good is a list that gets the most important thing wrong? Fredrick stops in front of the chair and inclines his head down to mine. I spare him a quick glance before stooping to pick the book back up. He hands me a simple white shirt and leather pants along with a bundle of clothes for Caitlin.

"Master, your ward is finished with her shower. Would you like me to dress her or do you want to do that?"

I stifle the urge to roll my eyes. Like hell he’s going to see her naked. Rising, I hold out my hands for the clothes. With what seems like a relieved sigh, Fredrick hands them over and starts to prepare for our journey. I make quick work of my own clothes and slip them on before walking over to the bathroom, preparing myself for her censure. Half-baked apologies and promises die on my lips as I take in her glistening form. Water droplets sluice from her body and onto the bathmat.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Her soft words pierce me to my core. She looks so hesitant, so unsure of herself. And now, I hate myself even more. More than that, however, I despise Kris for putting her in a position like this. How dare he toy with a mortal like this! Unbidden, my mind goes back to Angelica. My ire rises to a righteous indignation. He has a proven track record of toying with whatever he pleases.

Gruffer than I mean to, I toss her the warm clothes and exit out the bathroom. I need space and cold to help keep me in check. Not bothering to see if she's obeying me, I close the door behind and head outside to wait for her. The arctic air slams into me, leaving me breathless, but it's good. I can start to think a little more clearly. Time keeps going, and I keep pacing until a small hand rests on my arm.

"Aren't you cold?"

The small voice cuts me to my core. Pain, yearning, longing, all well up inside me. This shouldn't hurt so damn bad. But I can't look at her without Kris' second betrayal smacking me in the face. "You get used to it up here."

"Oh. I supposed that makes sense."

Grabbing her hand, I start the trek to North Pole Proper. Hopefully, by time we get there, the beast would have worn himself out. Howls and yips fill the night air, sending trembles through Caitlin’s body. I can understand her concern, but no animal would dare cross me. They can sense the alpha predator lurking deep within. Still, my heart warms just a touch as she clutches at my hand, depending on me to protect her.

As we trudge onward, I note the slight sway in her form. I should have called a sled around. Then, I could have dragged her here without any effort at all. Pausing for a moment, I lean down and scoop her into my arms. Her surprised shriek is muffed by my shirt as I clutch her close to me. Her small frame warms my insides, soothing the raging beast. With her in my arms, we make much quicker time.

After several minutes, we make our way under the arch leading into the NPP. Her eyes widen with wonder as she takes in all the sights and sounds. She's just like a child on Christmas day. I follow her eye line, trying to put myself back to when my dad took me here. However, instead of wonder, I always regarded the NPP with suspicion and unease. Fitting, actually, for the open hostility they always showed me. Swallowing the sudden lump in my throat, I push back memories of Kringle standing by me and welcoming me, despite the other denizens.