Thank you to almcvay1 and Filmsarefriends for beta'ing this fic. Both far better writers than I am. Check them out here and on Ao3

He sat comfortably, legs crossed, scotch in hand, in the armchair he had dragged across the room to the foot of the bed. It wasn't a particularly large room but the bed was soft and the company...

Well...

He listened as the sounds of Lizzie preparing for bed in the bathroom ceased. The door opened and she appeared in the doorway, a towel snugly wrapped around her body. Her hair was damp and combed back, her eyes lit upon him questioningly. She waited.

He hadn't meant to do it-to give into this weakness-but she had made it so incredibly hard to refuse. She'd been so sorry, hot tears falling onto her cheeks, she'd twined her arms about his neck and whispered brokenly into his ear. She'd ruined her own life and his, she'd said. She'd been so stubborn and willful, so sure she was right.

It hadn't helped that part of him agreed with her. Why, why did she do it? He could have worked with what he had when it was only the charges she was innocent of. But she had done what she wanted and he didn't think he could fix this, a murder she was guilty of. He could only get her out, continue to protect her and find a new life for her that would be some sort of solace for what she had thrown away.

She'd agreed with everything he'd said. Following along, subdued and quiet, she'd made no complaints when he stowed her in the most uncomfortable of safe houses, when he'd driven them day and night across state borders without rest. Every so often, she'd plead with him to forgive her. He'd sidestepped her attempts at making things right between them. Too angry, too disappointed. He'd become so used to the indignant, slightly sour Lizzie of the past two years, that he didn't know quite what to do with new facet of her personality.

He hadn't been sure of what to make of these strange twinges her new behaviour pulled from him either. His desire to control her had always been there. He had easily justified it before though. He just wanted her safe, protected, happy. All the things he did without her knowledge were for her benefit. Even so, he had been satisfied every time she pushed back, every time she raged at him for his interference. She had been a force to be reckoned with and it was a thrill to deal with her volatile energy.

But now, there was a different sort of thrill. He'd tried to resist it. Distancing himself from her, replying less and less to her pleas, not even bothering to sidestep anymore. But she'd become more dejected and unhappy.

He looked at her now, her body framed by the light in the bathroom as she stood quietly in the doorway, waiting for a signal.

"Take your towel off and kneel in the middle of the bed, palms facing outward on your knees," He instructed her in a steady, low voice.

She placed her towel tidily on the rack in the bathroom. She'd let it carelessly fall once before onto the floor, learning the hard way that he liked neatness, he wouldn't tolerate sloppiness. Her crimson bottom later that night had been a reminder she hadn't forgotten.

She moved to the bed, gracefully bending and shifting herself into the position he'd asked of her. Her skin glowed pale in the half light of the bedside lamp. She knelt quietly, patiently, her eyes fixed on his face, waiting for his next instruction.

He let her wait. Slowly he finished his scotch, maintaining eye contact with her. He shifted his hips, the heat of this silent exchange was becoming almost palpable. He felt desire surge in his belly, the familiar tinge of guilt along with it. She was so eager to please him, she practically vibrated with it.

He set his glass down, running his tongue along his lips, observing with satisfaction the way her body trembled with anticipation.

He hadn't fucked her. He'd punished her, toyed with her, but he hadn't put his mouth on her. Yet.

This slow, torturous dance wasn't over.

"I want you to spread your legs and touch yourself, Lizzie. When you feel that you're about to come, I want you to stop. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she breathed, tentatively reaching to stroke herself with her fingers. Such an incredibly intimate act to perform while gazing into his heavily lidded eyes. Her own eyes fluttered shut in response to the intensity of his stare.

"Look at me."

She popped her eyes open again, obeying him, a red stain flushing her cheeks. He felt a rush of exhilaration as he held her gaze.

His hand lazily wandered to his trousers. Without breaking eye contact, he unzipped himself and moved a hand across the hardness growing in his pants. Reaching under the waistband he freed himself from the confined space of his trousers, lightly stroking up and down his length, his shallow, fast breathing in concert with her own ragged breaths.

He raked his gaze from her luminous, wide blue eyes to her open thighs, avidly enjoying the sight of her hand massaging her clit in slow, languorous circles, her body making little shuddering movements as she pleasured herself.

His mind drifted to the first time he had played this little game with her. It had been a night just like this one in another hotel room. They'd silently readied themselves for bed, taking turns in the bathroom. She'd come into his room to sit beside him on his bed. He had tensed, preparing himself for more apologies, more declarations of regret. He'd been so frustrated. He'd told her what was done was done. Apologies weren't necessary. He didn't know what to do with this timorous, weeping girl. Why couldn't she push back at him? She was so much stronger than this and he was tired of keeping a check on himself for fear of hurting her.

"Lizzie, what do you want from me that would make you feel better? A spanking?" He'd asked her in annoyance.

She'd paused, a crackle of some indefinable energy had passed between them at his words. "If it would help, then yes, sure," she'd said carefully.

He was a cautious man, a thoughtful one. But he didn't think at all that time. That pause, and her response had electrified him. Desire lanced through him as he pulled her body over his lap. He shivered as he remembered now, how she'd given a small cry of surprise. But she hadn't resisted. He'd pulled her sleep shorts and panties down her legs, revealing her deliciously rounded bottom.

Experimentally, he'd bought his hand down on her creamy white ass cheek in a short, stinging, open palmed slap. She'd responded with a sharp intake of breath. He'd repeated it, harder and faster, his spanks punctuated with her gasps.

"Do you want this Lizzie?" He'd grated out as she wiggled in his lap.

"Yes...please...please," she'd begged.

"Tell me why? Why do you want this?" He had growled, raising his hand higher, spanking quivering flesh that was fast turning a rosy pink.

"I deserve it," she'd whimpered. "And R-Red… It feels so good!"

It had gone on for several minutes more, she had sobbed and twisted in his lap, she hadn't been able to keep still at all. He'd eventually hooked her flailing legs behind his right leg, putting an end to most of her squirming. She'd continued to beg wantonly, pleading for him to keep going and it was outrageous what her trembling cries were doing to him.

When he'd stopped, they were both shaking and panting. He'd smoothed his hands in circles along her reddened flesh. She'd been so hot. His palm had stung but he barely noticed, so consumed by the rush of arousal, by the sickening thrill of...control.

He wished many times since that night that she hadn't allowed it. He couldn't help himself. He had wanted her overwhelmingly since the day he saw her walk down those stairs towards him in the box.

And she was letting him. He knew it was dangerous, even unhealthy. He couldn't stop. She had opened herself to him, an invitation to take and he had taken, plundered.

He's asked her every night since: "Lizzie, do you want this? Do you like it when I do this?"

Each time she responds: "Yes, please Red," her mouth curving into a smile.

He wanted something to push against. He needed to know where her boundaries lay. But every time he gently probed, he fell into a well of no resistance. It gnawed at him. He knew how far he was capable of taking her. It frightened him.

So he was back to acting cautiously.

He watched her now, flushed and trembling, so close to the edge, dipping her fingers into her wet folds, swirling her slick index finger into herself, pressing her thumb lightly against her clit.

She gasped loudly, her hips jerking. Reluctantly, she drew her hand away from herself, lips parted, her blush spreading down her neck and to her collarbone. She looked at him imploringly.

He smiled. "Ready to come Lizzie?"

"Yes, please," she moaned desperately

"Not yet."

The corners of her mouth turned down slightly.

"Come here."

She came to him. Stood in front of him, trembling.

"Kneel."

She dropped to her knees, her trembling still evident. Was this a limit? He had to be sure. He cupped her face with one hand, the other still fisted around his cock. His thumb stroked her cheek.

"Lizzie?" he asked again, as with every night. "Do you want this?"

"Yes, please Red," she said, leaning into his caress.

Something in his belly tightened. He was disgusted with himself. But she was playing into every vice he owned. He hadn't acknowledged it to himself ever, even when she'd accused him of being obsessed with her. She'd been his blind spot. But he was beginning to see.

Just how far could he take this?

"I want you to take me into your mouth."

She glanced up at him, her lashes framing those blue eyes.

She leaned in and licked his cock from the base to the tip. His breath hitched. She took him into her mouth then, the wet heat of her swirling tongue drawing a groan from him. He let his fingers tangle themselves in her hair, cradling the back of her head, guiding her pace, thrusting a little with his hips.

His focus closed in on her. Silky hair, soft lips, the scent of her soap.

His nostrils flared, all his nerve endings were on fire. He wanted more of her. Wanted to do depraved things to her. She would let him. She had let him. He tightened his grip in her hair involuntarily, as he felt a sweet ache swell in his balls. He thrust into her mouth harder and faster as she gagged on his cock.

He leaned forward to whisper in her ear: "Swallow, Lizzie, then you can come."