chapter 3

The ride home from the police station was suffocating. Ethan hadn’t said a word since bailing me out, but the tension in the air was thick enough to choke on. His hands gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, his jaw set in a hard line.

I crossed my arms, shifting uncomfortably in my seat, still feeling the adrenaline from earlier. The fight, the club, Leslie, the cops—everything had spiraled out of control. And now, I was facing the consequences.

When we pulled into the driveway, he finally spoke.

“Inside. Now.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that made my stomach tighten.

I didn’t argue. Not yet.

The house was eerily silent as I stepped inside. The moment the door shut behind us, Ethan’s voice sliced through the quiet.

“The police had a lot to say about you tonight,” he began, slipping off his coat and tossing it onto the couch. “Drinking. Fighting. Getting arrested. And, apparently…” He turned to face me, his piercing eyes locking onto mine. “Your little club adventures aren’t just about partying, are they?”

My heart pounded. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“They told me, Riley.” His voice was low, steady, but dangerous. “Told me about your little girlfriend.”

"Wow, so you are a lesbian?"

"You kept on sneaking out of the house because, you want a dildo inside of you."

My breath hitched, and my fingers curled into fists. “So what?” I shot back, lifting my chin. “You’re not my father. You don’t get to police my life.”

Ethan’s expression darkened. He took a slow step toward me, then another, until I was backed against the wall. His presence was overwhelming, his body radiating heat and control.

“You live under my roof,” he said, voice deep and authoritative. “And that means you follow my rules.”

"Hence, you wouldn't leave school until Nathan comes to get you."

"You don't get to go shopping."

"You can't go to the movies."

" No, girls night out."

"No one sleep over at my house, neither do you go to theirs with friends."

"No beach parties with friends."

"No, camping with friends."

"No picnic with friends."

"Only family outings."

I scoffed, refusing to let him intimidate me. “I don’t give a damn about your rules.”

"Family?" I said in exasperating tone."Don't make me laugh."

"You and Nathan are never my family and neither of you will never be."

His eyes flashed with something primal. “Is that so?”

Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist and spun me around, pressing my chest against the cool wall. His grip was firm but not painful, his dominance undeniable.

“You need discipline, Riley.” His breath was hot against my ear. “And I’m going to make sure you understand exactly what that means.”

A shiver ran through me—fear, excitement, something in between. I should’ve resisted, should’ve fought back, but instead, I felt my body betray me.

Ethan’s hands moved down my arms, pinning me in place. “You don’t listen. You disobey. You make reckless choices.” His voice was pure control, each word sending a pulse of heat through my core. “So, let’s see if you can handle the consequences.”

He spun me around, gripping my chin between his fingers. “Safe word?” he asked, his voice softer but no less commanding.

I swallowed, my lips parting. “Red.”

His lips curved slightly. “Good girl.”

With that, he guided me toward the living room, pushing me down onto the couch. He didn’t waste time—his hands tugged at my clothes, stripping me bare with practiced ease. The cool air kissed my exposed skin, making me shudder.

His fingers trailed down my spine before giving my ass a sharp smack. I gasped, arching into the touch.

“You think you can break my rules and walk away without punishment?” he murmured, his palm landing another firm slap. “Think again.”

I bit my lip, heat pooling between my thighs.

Ethan reached for the small drawer in the corner of the room—the one I knew held all sorts of wicked things. When he returned, he pressed something smooth and cool against my skin.

A plug.

My breath hitched.

He spread me open with firm hands, his touch calculated, teasing. “You’ll take this,” he said, pressing the tip inside. “And you’ll keep it in until I decide otherwise.”

A whimper escaped me as he pushed deeper, stretching me inch by inch. The sensation was intense, bordering on too much, but I didn’t stop him.

He groaned, his voice thick with satisfaction. “Look at you. You pretend to fight me, but your body tells the truth.”

I moaned, pressing my forehead against the couch.

Ethan’s fingers trailed up my back before gripping my hair, pulling my head back just enough for me to feel his breath against my ear.

“This is what happens when you don’t follow the rules,” he murmured. “And tonight? You’ll learn to obey.”

Are you ready to obey?” His tone was low, rich with authority, but it was also... inviting. I could feel the heat between us, building steadily, threatening to burn us both.

Ethan didn’t waste time. He moved behind me, his fingers tracing my spine, sending shivers of anticipation racing through me. His breath was hot on my neck as he leaned in close.

“Tonight,” he said, his voice a low whisper against my skin, “you’ll learn to truly obey me. Every part of you will belong to me, and I’ll show you what it means to submit.”

The words, powerful and possessive, made my pulse quicken. I wanted to obey him. I wanted to give myself over entirely, to surrender to the intensity of this moment. I was his, and the thought sent a thrill through me.

Ethan’s hands moved with purpose, his fingers gripping my wrists and pulling them above my head. He tied them to the couch with soft, silken ropes, the restraints snug but not painful, a symbol of my submission, a constant reminder of my position.

His voice, commanding and steady, broke the silence. “You will not move unless I tell you. You will not speak unless I give you permission. You will obey. Understand?”

I didn't reply.

“Good,” he replied, his lips curving into a satisfied smile. "So stubborn." He said as he moved down, his hands tracing the lines of my body, exploring, teasing. Every touch set my skin on fire, every kiss a promise of what was to come.

Ethan’s mouth hovered above my skin, warm breath teasing my senses before his lips made contact, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against the curve of my neck. I gasped, the sensation rippling through me, awakening something deeper inside.

“You’ll learn to love every second of this,” he said softly, his voice thick with desire. “I’ll make sure of it.”

And as his lips descended lower, his hands following the path of his mouth, I closed my eyes and let go. I let him guide me, let him teach me what it meant to truly submit. There was no fear here. There was only trust, and the raw, undeniable pleasure that came from being with him in this way.

His mouth found its way to my chest, and I moaned softly as he kissed, licked, and nipped at my skin. His hands moved lower, teasing and taunting, setting me on fire. The mix of pleasure and control was intoxicating, and my body responded without hesitation.

He paused for a moment, lifting his head to look at me. His gaze was dark, predatory. “Do you want this?” he asked, his voice soft but commanding. “Do you want to obey me?”

“No,” I breathed, the word slipping from my lips before I even realized it. “I will not obey.”

He smiled then, and it was all the reassurance I needed. Ethan moved with purpose, taking full control, pushing me to the edge of my limits while ensuring that every moment felt as intense and pleasurable.

And with that, the real punishment began.