Disclaimer - All recognizable characters belong to their original owners. I do not make a profit from writing this; I simply do it for my own amusement. No copyright infringement intended.

Chapter Thirty-One: Truly Exquisite

Rubbing her forehead with her fingers, Rose wondered when all the competence in the world had disappeared. The suppliers of some of the new posters that would be going up in the museum had a delay and weren't going to be able to deliver the product on time… again.

"My problem is that you've technically breached your contract by failing to provide the goods within the agreed time frame," she told the man on the other end of the phone–oh yeah, Rose knew her stuff. The man she had the misfortune of dealing with was called Nick. He clearly didn't see the importance of learning her name, as he kept calling her 'sweetheart' and referring to bogus protocols.

As if on cue, "Listen, sweetheart—" Nick began, and Rose could feel her teeth grind together as her blood pressure climbed. What a patronizing prick.

"Listen, Nick, my name is Rosalie, and you are going to need to start using that if you want to continue this conversation. It is not my fault that your company overstretched itself. That is your problem and something you need to figure out. I want the printouts at the museum by noon on Monday; otherwise, I will be seeking a full refund as well as compensation for having to pay another firm to rush them through. Do I make myself clear?"

The line was silent for a few moments before she heard a quiet "Yes".

"Good," was all Rose said before she put the phone down.

"That sounded like an interesting conversation," Riley said from across the office, a small grin pulling at the corners of his lips.

"It was," Rose told him as she reached for the calendar on her desk. "We might have to push back the exhibition changes until the week after."

Riley began to scroll through his computer, and Rose had no doubt he was looking at his own calendar and comparing dates. "That works for me," he began. "And I can always stay late a few days to make sure that everything is done."

"Hopefully, it won't come to that," Rose said. She really didn't fancy staying late during the week to fix a mistake that wasn't her fault. She would much rather be at home or on a date with Emmett.

"What are your plans for the weekend?" Riley asked as he began to close down his computer and pick up his various belongings from his desk.

"Not much," Rose said, hoping to hell that her cheeks weren't as red as they felt. She could hardly tell him the truth, could she? That her boyfriend/dominant was hopefully going to fuck her nine ways until Sunday and leave in a puddle of her own cum. It just wasn't the sort of thing that you said to a co-worker. "What about you?"

A blush covered Riley's cheeks, and Rose raised her eyebrows.

"I have a date," he told her, ducking his head and avoiding her gaze.

"Riley! That's great." Riley was a very sincere and sweet guy. He would make someone very happy one day.

"Yeah," he mumbled, fumbling around his bag for something.

Smiling, Rose returned her attention to her computer and made sure that she had answered all the emails she needed to and cleared off most of her to-do list for the week. There were a few tasks that would need to be migrated over to next week, but nothing that would cause her too much of a headache.

By the time she finished, it was the end of the day, and Rose was certainly excited. When Emmett called her last night, he had told her he didn't want her to use the toy but wanted her to tell him what she thought would happen on Friday—or rather, what she wanted to happen.

It had turned her on just as much. To hear Emmett all breathy and moany down the phone, grunting as she told him what she desired. How she wanted him to fuck her and use the toy on her at the same time. How she wanted to be bound with rope and laid on the bed, her body out for his perusal.

Eventually, Emmett told her to stop. He said his cock couldn't take any more. He was so close to the edge, and the next time he came, he wanted it to be all over her.

A moan had unintentionally fallen from Rose's mouth at that thought, and she had rubbed her thighs together, desperate for some kind of release.

"You such a dirty girl for me, Rosie," Emmett had praised. "I can't wait to be buried inside you again."

"Please," Rose had begged, not too sure exactly what she begging but not wanting the phone call to end either.

"Not yet," he had told her gently. "Soon. I promise."

Blowing out a breath, Rose composed herself before finishing the call with him and falling into what some might describe as a restless slumber. Her dreams were plagued with images of Emmett and his cock. It was almost unbearable.

"See you on Monday, Rose," Riley had said as he threw her a friendly wave and then left. Rose had only half heard what he said as she was too busy trying not to think about Emmett.

She failed miserably.

An hour later, Rose was pulling up outside Emmett's home. As she was leaving work, the manager of the print company rang her and wouldn't stop apologising for the behaviour of Nick. Clearly, he was trying to implement some damage control—not that Rose was overly bothered now. Not when she knew what was waiting for her.

Opening up her car door, she swung her legs out and grabbed her bag from the passenger seat. As she turned, she was delighted to see Hera bounding out of the house and running towards her as if she hadn't seen her in weeks.

"Hello sweet girl," Rose greeted as she rewarded her with lots of head tickles and ear strokes. "Did you miss me?"

"I know I did," Emmett said as he casually strolled up, Bruce at his side. Once again, he looked fucking edible. He was wearing blue jeans, boots, and a long-sleeved white top that just happened to show off his muscles. She was sure he was teasing her on purpose.

Smiling, Rose stood tall as Emmett wrapped one arm around her waist and cupped her face with his other hand. "Hi," he said to her quietly.

"Hello yourself," Rose responded, leaning up on her tiptoes to press a gentle kiss to Emmett's lips.

She felt him smile before he deepened the kiss, moving his lips against hers, leaving her breathless and eager.

As if not wanting to be left out, Bruce pushed his way in between them both and nudged his head against Rose's leg.

"I'm sorry," she said, taking a hand from Emmett's shoulders and using it to tickle behind Bruce's right ear—a spot she discovered he loved. "I was just saying hello to your daddy."

"He's just jealous," Emmett teased as he took Rose's bag from her, and they all began to walk towards the house. "How was work?" He asked as he shut the front door behind them.

"A pain in the ass," Rose admitted. "But it'll all get sorted."

Emmett chuckled and put her bag in his bedroom, kissing her temple when he returned to the living room.

"How was your day?" Rose asked as they both went into the kitchen, where the smell of roast chicken wafted over her.

"Busy, which was good as it meant the day went by very fast, and I got to see you quicker." Emmett winked at her before turning his attention to the pot of food simmering on the stove.

"That smells amazing." Rose's mouth was beginning to water, and she was excited for whatever meal Emmett had planned. She really had to even things up and cook for him one of these days.

"It'll be ready in a minute," he told her. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Just some water will be fine." Leaning against the counter, Rose watched as he walked around the kitchen, admiring the way the muscles in his arms rippled. She hoped she wasn't being too obvious, blindly ogling him and wondering how long until he was deep inside her. She didn't want him to think she was as needy as she was. That this last week had left her hot and sticky most nights, thighs desperately rubbing together to try and achieve some kind of friction as her brain flew into overdrive, images of all the deliciously naughty things she wanted him to do to her playing on repeat.

Emmett was observant, though. And there was no doubt he could feel Rose's gaze at his back. "See something you like?" He had been in the fridge, pulling out a water bottle, when he turned and shot Rose a look that almost had her dropping to her knees and begging for him. Begging that he give her something before dinner because this was just pure torture.

Her pussy ached and throbbed, and her nipples felt so tight it was almost painful. Her eyes were heavy with desire, and her entire body demanded his touch.

Strolling over, Emmett placed the water bottle next to her on the counter and placed his thumb just under her lip, his fingers on her chin. "I asked you a question, Rosie." His eyes were dark, his voice a low rumble that made her clit pulse.

Her eyes darted to the floor without thinking, but Emmett pulled her chin up.

"Eyes on me." He checked her face, a smile appearing on his lips. "Now, do you see something you like?"

"Yes, Sir." Rose's voice was breathy and low. One might say she had a touch of desperation in her tone.

"What is it you like?" He was teasing her now. His blue eyes were twinkling with amusement. He loved this. Loved seeing her so riled up that she struggled.

"You." That seemed to be the answer that Emmett wanted as he leaned down and pressed the sweetest of kisses to her lips. It was one that had her wanting more. One that when he pulled back, she whimpered, not wanting this to be over. Because she really was a fucking mess. And because she couldn't resist, she twisted her hands in his shirt, needing something. Wanting to feel the heat from his body and the hard plains of his chest.

"Have patience my sweet girl," he rumbled, chest vibrating as he spoke. "You'll be in my bed soon enough." Placing another quick peck to her lips, he stepped back and went to the stove like nothing had happened.

The only evidence that he was as turned on as she was the tent in the front of his jeans. Which did make Rose feel somewhat better.

She took a greedy mouthful of water from the bottle and tried to concentrate on anything that wasn't Emmett. Focusing on him was not helping her or her panties. It was just riling her up.

On his fridge, she saw a photo of him quite literally covered in children. Three girls were clamoured around his legs, and two boys were propped up on his shoulders. The joy in their faces was clear as was the joy in Emmett's face. He was beaming from ear to ear with a backward baseball cap on his head. The sky was crystal clear, and the landscape was littered with large trees.

"Who are these children?" Rose asked as she got closer to the fridge to examine the picture.

"My nieces and nephews," Emmett said, reaching over the spice rack and picking up a jar before he added a pinch to the food.

He mentioned having nieces and nephews, but when talking about his sisters, he never mentioned any children.

"Well," Emmett began as he faced her, turning his back on the food. "Technically, they aren't my biological nieces and nephews, but I'm an honorary uncle." He looked very proud of that fact. "They're the kids of two guys I grew up with—Jasper and Peter."

"Aww, that's nice." Rose found it very sweet. It just reminded her of what her friends said; family didn't have to be blood.

"Yeah. We've been friends since we were about five. Apparently, we were the ones always getting into trouble."

"I can definitely see that," Rose said with a snort as Emmett pretended to look offended.

"I'll have you know that I was a respectable student."

"Didn't you make a naked calendar to raise funds for football supplies?"

Emmett's cheeks tinged with just the hint of a blush. "Yes, but that doesn't make me any less respectable!" He defended as Rose giggled. "Anyway, enough about my naked body as dinner is ready."

Rose smiled as she went to Emmett's side. Together, they plated dinner. It was a light and simple lemon chicken marinated in broth with vegetables. It was tender and delicious, and Rose knew she needed to cook for Emmett. He was always making meals for her, so it was only right that she returned the favour.

As dinner progressed, the tension in the room increased. Rose had felt the apprehension creeping in, sliding up her spine and settling in her stomach as she finished her meal. She wasn't nervous—at least not a bad kind of nervous. She was eager, excited to see what would happen with Emmett. Playing with him had reignited a part of her that she long thought had disappeared. She looked forward to his hands on her body, touching and teasing until she was a mess with only one thing on her mind. His ability to make her fall apart was astounding—and addictive. If she could think straight, Rose might have been concerned over how easily she had lost herself in him. How easily she had accepted him into her life. But she was far too turned on to think about. Far too ready to submit to him.

Emmett's voice cut through the silence that had enveloped them. "I'm going to clean up. I want you in your inspection position by the time I'm finished."

He stood up, placed a kiss on Rose's forehead and then set about clearing the plates.

With more than just a spring in her step, Rose stood from the table and did her best to calmly head to his bedroom. She wanted to run there, stripping her clothes as she went as anticipation flooded her senses. However, she resisted.

Once in his room, she neatly folded her clothes and placed them on top of the bag she had brought with her before she stood at the bottom of the bed, noting he had placed another blanket on top of it. She felt a tingle of nerves as she wondered if she was standing in the right spot. Some Dom's were strict about where their submissive's stood—but Emmett hadn't been too specific so she was sure that she was okay. At least, she hoped she was. Punishment was something she didn't enjoy. Not since that night.

Rose felt herself spiralling, felt her mind whirling and moving too quick, assumptions and thoughts jumping out left, right and centre. Her mind conjured up imaginary scenarios, panic and anxiety rising through her body.

No.

No.

Not here. Not now. Not when she was safe and secure.

Breathing deeply, Rose held the breath in her lungs before she blew it back out, calming her racing heart and snowballing thoughts. Emmett wasn't going to punish her. Emmett wasn't like those men. Emmett was kind and gentle and focused on her pleasure.

Just thinking of him made the panic subside. It retreated, slowly slipping from her limbs and mind as she ground herself in the here and now. The scent that was so quintessentially Emmett rolled around her nose, and her eyes drank in the room that had become so familiar to her. Looking at the bed, she could only imagine what he had planned. What luxurious pleasure he would bestow on her tonight.

That thought had her twisting, rubbing her thighs together as she pulled slightly on her own hair, lust seeping into every cell of her being.

By the time Emmett entered the bedroom, Rose was ready.

Her eyes instantly met his, and she could have sobbed with happiness to see that he had removed his shirt and boots and was now only wearing his jeans, the top button already open.

"Good girl," he immediately praised, the words stroking over her like a long-lost caress.

Standing in front of her, he let his eyes rake down her body, making Rose blush.

"Fuck," he muttered, the back of his hand coming up to her throat. He dragged it down the centre of her body to her navel. "I haven't forgotten my promise," he said, his eyes eventually returning to hers. "Of tracking your blush with my tongue."

An involuntary whimper left Rose. Oh, how she would relish in that.

"But that's not for tonight. I have something else planned for tonight."

Stepping back, he reached for her bag, carefully placing her clothes to the side before he picked it up. "May I retrieve my toy from here, Rosie?"

Her heart swelled because, once a-fucking-again, he was showing her respect. He was giving her a choice.

"Of course, Sir." He could root around in it all he'd like if he wanted.

"Thank you." He reached in and pulled the toy out with ease—she'd packed it last, so it was on top of the rest of her belongings.

He turned it over in his hand. "You can't even image how fucking hard it makes me knowing that this has been abusing your little clit for the past five days."

At his words, Rose's toes curled.

"I want you to sit on the bed, Rose, hands in your lap."

Rose did as she asked and watched with delight as Emmett went to the cupboard where his toys were kept and pulled out not one but two lengths of red rope. He approached her on the bed and put everything at her side. His large hands reached up to her face, and he stroked the apples of her cheeks with his thumbs.

"What is your safe word?"

"Red, Sir."

"Good girl. If at any point you feel that you need to stop tonight, you must use it, Rosie."

She nodded her head even though she doubted she would need to.

"I'm going to bind your hands and your feet tonight. How do you feel about that?"

It took Rose a second to answer. "Good."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Sir." The idea of having her feet bound made her heart thud a little faster in her chest. But she didn't think it was a bad thing. Emmett had never made her want to run away. Never made her feel unsafe.

Emmett's eyes flicked between hers before he nodded and reached for the bindings. Slowly, he lowered himself to the floor—an act that had Rose hitching her breath. It was so intimate. To have her Dom kneeling before her. It was strangely erotic. Starting at her feet, Emmett looped the materials around her ankles before wrapping it around itself in the middle.

"I'm not going to tie it too tight," he told her, slipping three fingers between the rope and her skin to show her that she still had room to move. "But I want to check that you're okay with this."

"Yes, Sir." It was a struggle to get the words out. It felt so fucking good. The scratch of the rope against her skin felt almost intoxicating. She wanted to try and move her feet. See how far the binding would stretch before she was forced to put her legs together again. She wanted to test the rope and then luxuriate in the power it radiated over her. The rope was a symbol. A sign of Emmett's domination. And she fucking craved it.

"Good." Emmett moved upwards, binding her wrists in a similar fashion and once again checking that it wasn't too tight.

When he stepped back, he heaved in a breath. "You look so fucking edible right now. All tied up for me." His eyes drank her in like he was unable to tear himself away from the sight. "One day, I want to bind your breasts."

That took Rose's breath away. Yes. Yes. Yes. She could see it now, the red rope wrapped tightly around her breasts, pushing them out and making them all that more sensitive. Hopefully, he'd bind her hands as well, string them up above her as he fucked her. If he fucked her from behind, he could squeeze her tits; the mixture of pleasure and pain would be intoxicating. But if he fucked her from the front, he could wrap her legs around his waist and hit the spot that made her see stars. Maybe he'd even use the nipple clamps on her.

"I think you like the sound of that."

Rose could feel how flushed she was. How hot her cheeks were and how hard her chest was heaving. Her eyes felt heavy with pleasure again. He was driving her to the brink of insanity with just his words.

"I do, Sir."

"You're so dirty," he told her with a grin. "I want you on the bed now, on your hands and knees, facing the toy cupboard."

Rose stood and then awkwardly realised that she couldn't just climb on the bed. The bindings around her feet prevented her from spreading her legs too much. Carefully, she placed her hands on the soft mattress and tested her legs to see how much she could lift them. Emmett had bound them in such a way that she could only crawl slowly.

It did mean that her ass was high in the air, though—but Emmett didn't seem to mind. He gave a deep groan from behind her before both of his hands were on her, running over the skin of her rump, squeezing and pinching.

"Such a fucking beautiful sight," he mumbled before removing his hands and allowing Rose to position herself the way he asked.

As she faced the toy cupboard, she watched intently as Emmett reached behind it and pulled out a wide floor-length mirror. He set it up right in front of the bed where Rose was.

Her breath caught in her throat. She could see herself, her pale skin bound with the red rope, breasts swinging down with lustful eyes that didn't hide how deeply she wanted Emmett.

"I—oh, Sir," Rose wanted to talk. To say something. But her mouth wouldn't form the words. She was fixated on the sight in front of her. It was beautiful. Her submission was glorious.

"I know, Rosie. I know. I want you to see what I see when I look at you. How truly exquisite you are in your submission to me." Emmett's eyes were so intense that they stole Rose's breath. Her fingers clenched the bed sheet as she tried to gain some semblance of control back.

Emmett left her to watch herself. It was odd. She didn't look like the Rose she was used to seeing in the mirror. This woman looked sexy and wanton and free.

"Are you ready to play, Rosie?" Emmett asked as he approached the bed.

"Yes, Sir. Please." Rose was done with trying to pretend she wasn't a mess. She was done trying to pretend that she wasn't willing to sink to her knees and do anything this gorgeous man asked of her. The mirror image reflected at her showed just how affected she was.

"Good," he practically growled, eyes sliding down her body as a salacious grin covered his face.

Oh fuck.

Any and all mistakes are my own.

Big hugs, Lu.