And the look on Yvonne’s face told Ruby it was working.

“I went shopping again today,” Ruby said. “I picked up some new clothes. You told me to buy whatever I wanted. This is something I want.”

“That’s why you’re lying around in practically nothing?” Yvonne scoffed. “I think you have an ulterior motive. I think you’re trying to make me end your punishment.”

“I’m just doing what you told me to. If my outfit is distracting you, that’s not my fault.”

Yvonne gave Ruby a sharp look. “Careful. I don’t want to have to spank you again.”

Ruby flushed. “I didn’t mind that. It was everything that came afterward.”

Yvonne had told Ruby that the spanking in the kitchen wasn’t Ruby’s real punishment. It hadn’t taken Ruby long to figure out what her real punishment was.

Since that night over a week ago, Yvonne hadn’t so much as touched her.

It wasn’t the kind of torture Ruby had expected when she’d signed that second contract with Yvonne, but it was torture nonetheless. Ruby had spent the entire week in a state of constant frustration. Every time she’d walked into the kitchen, she’d found herself reliving that moment when Yvonne had had her bent over the counter over and over. And she might have been imagining it, but Yvonne seemed to be playing games with her too. Every time Ruby was in the kitchen with Yvonne, Yvonne would get awfully close, ostensibly to grab something nearby. Whenever they passed each other in the hall, Yvonne would brush against her. And several times a day, Yvonne would summon Ruby to her, as though she intended to finally put an end to her game, but instead, she’d simply ask Ruby an unnecessary question before dismissing her.

It was driving Ruby mad.

“While we’re on the topic,” Yvonne said. “I’ve been doing some thinking. Perhaps it’s time I ended your punishment.”

Ruby sat upright. “Really?”

Yvonne’s lips curled up at the side. “Come with me and find out.”

Ruby followed Yvonne into the hall, and toward Ruby’s bedroom. But Yvonne strolled straight past it, continuing until they reached the bedroom next to Yvonne’s.

Yvonne’s ‘playroom.’

Nervous excitement bubbled up inside Ruby. She hadn’t returned to that room since that fateful night. She’d been waiting for Yvonne to take her back inside, to finally give her a taste of all the toys hidden in the drawers and closet.

Yvonne opened the door and pulled Ruby toward the bed. She drew Ruby into her, running her hand up the side of Ruby’s thigh, over the silk of her nightie. Ruby’s heart began to race. Yvonne was being unusually gentle. Considering Yvonne spent over a week tormenting Ruby, she couldn’t help but be suspicious.

Yvonne grabbed the hem of Ruby’s nightie. “This needs to come off.” She pulled it over Ruby’s head, leaving her in just her panties, then gestured toward the bed. “Why don’t you get comfortable?”

As Ruby got onto the bed and lay on her side, Yvonne slipped out of her dress, revealing a matching black bra and panties made of delicate mesh trimmed with lace. Ruby stared, transfixed. Had Yvonne planned this, or did she simply walk around every single day wearing sexy lingerie underneath her fitted black dresses?