In the Doghouse - Chapter 152
“Just a moment, Courtney.”
Richard quickly adjusted her skirt and fetched a fresh cloth to help clean her up, carefully avoiding looking into the basin nearby.
Courtney stared blankly at the damp towel Richard had brought her. Taking care of these little things, the cleaning up afterward—it was always his task. Each time, she wondered if it was truly appropriate for the empire’s crown prince to be handling such menial chores.
But ultimately, it was better than the alternative—leaving uncomfortably without cleaning up. Besides, maybe they wouldn’t have to do any of this if they could control themselves during the day and avoid doing such things in the office, yet restraint seemed to be far out of reach for both of them.
Richard parted her knees gently, but Courtney quickly reached out.
“I’ll handle it.”
“You might ruin your clothes, just hold them up.”
Richard gathered her flowing skirt and passed it to her, then meticulously wiped her down with the cold, wet towel. He cleaned her thoroughly, from her thighs to her inner legs and even below her waist. His care and attentiveness were impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
“All done.”
Courtney quickly pulled her skirt back down, covering herself. She wasn’t sure about other couples, but right after their intense moments together, she always felt a bit awkward facing him. To go from calling him filthy names and engaging in passionate acts to switching back to regular conversation was still a bit jarring.
As she straightened her clothes, Richard used the same towel to quickly wipe down his lower half. Then he slipped his pants back on, glancing at her as he did.
Aside from the creased skirt, she appeared surprisingly put together. She even held the plug with a handkerchief, wiping it with unusual diligence.
Richard had something he needed to say today, but the fact that they hadn’t finished properly made it feel awkward to bring up. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke up.
“Courtney, I… there’s something I wanted to discuss.”
“Oh, yes?”
She quickly put the plug down. His tone and expression were more serious than usual, and it struck her that he’d tried to mention something earlier, too. But, well, things had taken a turn, and the topic had been lost in the heat of the moment.
Richard took a deep breath and spoke.
“The reward you mentioned before… is it still valid?”
“Of course it is. Have you decided on what you want?”
He nodded, and a glint of curiosity sparked in her eyes. She was genuinely curious to hear what he had chosen after all his deliberation.
Seeing her sudden excitement, Richard felt a pang of awkwardness. Had she been expecting something more unique? No matter how much he’d thought it over, his desires had not shifted all that much from before.
“I… I’d like it if you treated me roughly, Courtney… far rougher than usual.”
As expected, disappointment flickered across her face. She didn’t even try to hide it, and Richard couldn’t help but feel slightly embarrassed.
Before Courtney could think too much about why he’d made that choice, her disappointment turned to a slight sense of rejection. Had only she found satisfaction in their time together, she wondered?
Sensing her thoughts, Richard quickly tried to clarify.
“No, don’t misunderstand. I’m truly happy and satisfied, every single day. It’s just that…”
He wasn’t just saying that to placate her—it was genuine. Courtney had already shown him more than he’d ever hoped for.
Though he had certain preferences, he knew that adjusting to the role of a ‘dom master’ wasn’t something one could easily embody overnight, especially when most people are bound by conventional values. Yet she had embraced his quirks with an open mind, leading him without merely appeasing him.
He paused, struggling to articulate his thoughts as her expression remained cool, her face still a little tense. He knew that this request, after the time they’d just shared, could easily seem presumptuous.
But he also knew that leaving the conversation unfinished would only create further misunderstandings. Courtney folded her arms and nodded toward him.
“Go on.”
“Even if it’s just for one day… I’d like you to treat me with complete disregard, to treat me like an object…”
Richard’s voice trailed off, and his demeanor seemed utterly deflated. Seeing him look so downcast made her feel uncomfortable as well. She kept her expression unreadable as she asked again.
“Are you sure that’s truly what you want? Have you thought it through?”
“Yes.”
Richard had his reasons for asking this. Not just today, but every day with her had brought him more than enough satisfaction. Yet, when he was alone, his mind kept drifting toward darker, harsher fantasies. Whenever he managed to fall asleep with that nagging discomfort from the plug, he’d find himself dreaming of such intensity.
This yearning created a growing impatience within him. He knew she was being considerate, gradually building up to new levels, but it felt unnecessary to him. He was strong enough to handle more, unbothered by any minor injuries, yet she worried every time about his well-being.
He believed that if she could just push past a single boundary, Courtney could embrace the role fully, both in nature and in character. Richard longed for the day she would take full command over him, guiding and controlling him entirely.
So, to achieve this goal, he reluctantly decided to lean on Courtney’s gentler side, even if it meant pushing her just a bit. He threw out a line that wasn’t entirely sincere.
“Honestly, Courtney… if this makes you uncomfortable, I’ll let it go. We don’t have to…”
“No, that’s not it.”
Just as he anticipated, she shook her head immediately. But the discomfort in her expression remained, clear as day.
