Page 28 of Bound to the EMT

CHAPTER 11

EMMELINE

Sorrow and regret clog my throat as I try to make him understand. I can see the hurt in his eyes, the sadness that his new bride doesn’t find this small enclosure fitting. If only I can make him understand, but my words seem to have no effect.

“I rather like it.”

“I’m sure,” he murmurs, rubbing his beard. “As you said, it’s the size of just your room and bathroom. How could you possibly love such a space?”

I shrug as I do my best to find the words I need. “Because you’re in it? I’m not alone? Even with all that space, it was just me to fill it. Yeah, I had servants flitting in and out, but no one there who was just for me.”

My heart breaks as Branson strides over to me, gathering me into his arms. “I’m not going anywhere, Princess. I’m here for the long haul. That is, unless we just can’t make it work. But I’m certainly willing to try. Are you?”

The rapid thud of my pulse in my ears is the only thing I can hear. It drowns out everything else until it’s just the recriminating beat. I can’t give it my all. I can’t give him what he wants, what I want. Even though we were paired together by the Governing Body, there’s no guarantee this will be forever.

If this doesn’t work, if he decides he doesn’t actually want me, then I’ll have nowhere to go but home. Mother won’t take me back if she even thinks I gave myself to him. Squeezing my eyes shut, I burrow into his midsection, taking in deep breaths of his intoxicating scent to calm me.

“I will try.”

“That’s all I ask. Now what you say we go take care of your little punishment for sassing me before we go look at other houses to live in?”

I yank back. “I thought you were joking!”

“About living here? No. This isn’t a joke. This is really where I live. It was fine when it was just me, but now that there are two of us...”

“No,” I wave away his response. “Not that. I meant about the punishment. You’re really going to punish me?”

His eyes darken as he smiles down at me, sending a shiver of longing down my spine. “Oh, I intend to punish every naughty little hole in you before too long. But why don’t we start with that pretty little mouth of yours?”

On impulse, I slap my hand across my lips, denying him access. I don’t know what he plans to do, but I don’t like the sound of my mouth being punished.

“Oh? Will I have to tie you up first?” I’m not sure what my face does, but it makes him laugh even harder. “All in good time. I promise you’ll like this punishment if you just relax for me.”

“How can a punishment feel good? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Well, I’m sure there are many things you know nothing about, but I’m willing to be your teacher. On your knees.”

He reaches behind him and pulls the pillow off of the chair and tosses it to the floor. Curiosity and fear thrum through me, intermingling until I don’t know which is which. In slow increments, I lower myself to the floor and stare up at him. Though I’m not sure how, his eyes darken even more, making my pulse race and my stomach flip.

“I- This isn’t going to... That is, I’m not sure I’m ready for anything-”

“Shhhh, Princess,” he murmurs, sliding his finger over my lips. “I’m not going to defile you yet. Just give you a small taste.”

“No one will know. Right? Just like... Just like touching myself?”

“No one will know unless you tell them.”

Relief spreads through my muscles, making me weak and shaky. Perhaps if we can just stick to things like that, I’ll be okay. Doing the bare minimum won’t make me unworthy of marriage if he decides to cast me aside, or worse, Mother finds a way to end the marriage herself. Right?

I part my lips a touch as I watch him lower his hand and reach for his zipper. “God,” he groans, reaching out to stroke my cheek. “You’re going to be the death of me. I just know it.”

“But how? I’m just a simple omega.”

“Just a simple, innocent omega,” he murmurs, unbuckling his pants and shoving them down. “You know nothing of the power you wield, of the fact that you can bring a grown Alpha to his knees with just one heated glance from your beautiful eyes.”

Unable to watch the unabashed esteem in his eyes, I lower my gaze to the floor. “You’re wrong. I have no power.”

“Allow me to show you just how wrong you are. Open your mouth. Allow my punishment to be your first lesson of many.”