CHAPTER 366: CHAPTER 366 PUNISHMENT

The driver started the car and we pulled away from the Laurent family’s old house.

Ashton, with a Bluetooth headset in his ear, was issuing commands: ‘Send people to check all major hospitals and private clinics in Skyline and the surrounding cities. I want to know if there’s any record of Genevieve seeking treatment or confirmation of pregnancy.’

After he ended the call, I asked, ‘You don’t believe she’s really pregnant?’

Ashton nodded. ‘The timing is just too convenient.’

‘But Gwendolyn and your father can’t be so stupid that they can’t tell if she’s faking a pregnancy,’ I pointed out.

Ashton let out a derisive snort. ‘You’d be surprised. But it doesn’t matter if she’s really pregnant or not. The thing I know for sure beyond any doubt is that she can’t be pregnant with MY baby.’ He looked straight at me. ‘Do you believe me?’

I nodded. ‘Of course I do.’

I still felt uneasy about the underhanded way Ashton had dealt with Genevieve, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t relieved that he’d rejected her so firmly. In fact, he’d gone to the trouble of setting up a scheme to get rid of her permanently.

***

That night, Ashton took a phone call in our bedroom. He didn’t try to hide the conversation from me, so I couldn’t help but overhear. After he hung up, I looked at him expectantly.

He crooked a finger, gesturing for me to come over.

I scurried to his side, and the moment I was within reach, his long arm wrapped around me and pulled me into his lap.

I squirmed as his hand began to ruffle my hair. ‘So, what did your men find out?’

‘That depends on what you do next,’ he said, looking down at me with a meaningful glint in his eyes.

I blinked, confused. ‘What I do?’

‘If you do something to make me happy, I’ll tell you. If not...’ His hand drifted lower and brushed against a certain sensitive spot.

A shiver ran through me, and my face flushed bright red. I glared at him. ‘If you hadn’t been so careless and attracted all these crazy women, none of this would have happened! And besides... didn’t I already... do something earlier?’

The memory of what we’d done in bed just an hour ago made my cheeks burn.

‘Hm, so I’m at fault.’

‘Well, aren’t you?’ I muttered defiantly.

A dark, playful light flickered in Ashton’s eyes. ‘Since you think I’m at fault, why don’t you punish me?’

‘Really?’ I perked up instantly, already planning my revenge.

‘Why would I lie?’ he said, though I completely missed the sly look in his eyes.

‘Good! You said it yourself, so no complaining later.’ I bounced off his lap and stood up.

Mentally brandishing a little whip, I scanned the room until my eyes landed on the tie around his neck. A brilliant idea struck me. I leaned in close. ‘Give me your tie.’

‘What for?’ he asked, but he was already loosening it and handing it over.

I took the tie and gave it a testing tug. It was sturdy enough—no way he could break free. A mischievous smile spread across my lips. I pointed towards the bed. ‘Go on, lie down.’

Ashton glanced at the tie in my hand. He rose and settled onto the bed, assuming a relaxed pose.

‘Close your eyes,’ I ordered. ‘No peeking.’

Ashton obediently shut his eyes.

I moved quickly, grabbing his wrists and attempting to bind them with the tie. But my hands were clumsy, and I couldn’t seem to get it right.

Ashton lay perfectly still, letting me fumble without complaint.

After my third failed attempt...

‘Need some help?’

‘No, I don’t,’ I gritted out.

On the fourth try, I steadied my nerves and focused. Finally, I managed to secure his wrists tightly. I gave the tie a firm pull to check—it was solid. Satisfied, I wiped the fine sweat from my forehead.

‘Done,’ I announced.

‘Can I open my eyes now?’ Without waiting for my answer, Ashton did so.

‘I hadn’t said you could open them yet,’ I grumbled.

‘So you’re not finished?’

‘Of course not. I haven’t even used my secret move yet.’

‘Secret move?’ He rolled the words around on his tongue, his eyes glinting with unmistakable curiosity.

I swung my leg over and straddled him.

The way he watched me so intently made me suddenly self-conscious. My face flushed with heat, and I snapped, ‘Close your eyes! No, wait—you can’t close them.’

My fingers crept up his chest, and I began to undo the buttons of his shirt, one by one.

As I worked, Ashton’s gaze followed my fingers, watching as I traced lines of fire across his skin.

‘Even if you beg me later, I won’t untie you,’ I said smugly.

As the buttons of his shirt came undone, it revealed the well-defined muscles of his chest.

Thanks to years spent working in an office, Ashton’s skin wasn’t bronzed, but it wasn’t pale either. It was a pleasant, healthy tone that was easy on the eyes.

With the shirt open, my hands roamed freely over his chest, and I gave it a playful pat. ‘Not bad.’

But eventually, I grew impatient with myself. Aside from touching him, I had no idea what to do next.

‘Running out of ideas, or are you just scared?’ He’d read my mind.

I snatched my hands back and glared at him. ‘Why would I be scared?’

‘Good, I’m glad you’re not,’ he said smoothly. ‘Then carry on. And don’t forget the trousers.’

The trousers...

I looked at him. He was lying there like a king on his throne, completely at ease.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Shouldn’t he be the one desperate and frustrated, lying there helpless and seething?

What was happening here?