“My ass is on fire. You have a hand like a paddle.” She squirmed around, gasping as her hot ass encountered his thighs. “You didn’t have to make me cry by whaling the daylights out of me.”
“Do you feel better?”
She was silent for a long moment.
“Honesty, pet.”
“Fine. Yes, I feel better.”
She tried to sit up. He turned her so she straddled his lap. Her breasts fell free of the blanket, and she gasped, trying to hide them. He grabbed her arm, pulling it away. “Put your arms behind you.”
“Oh, crackers and cheese.”
“Crackers and cheese?” he asked with some amusement as she did as ordered. Her breasts were pushed forward. Delicious.
“I’m trying to come up with alternatives to swearing.”
“Ah, good idea. That should save your ass some punishment.”
“Right now, I don’t think my ass wants any more punishment. Ever.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be punishment if you enjoyed it, pet.” He grinned at the pout on her face. He reached out and tweaked her nipple. She gasped, her eyes widening.
He cupped her breast. “You know that you don’t have to do everything yourself anymore. I expect you to come to me if you need help.”
“Asking for help isn’t that easy for me.”
Because people constantly let her down.
“Are you worried about coming to me because you’ll think I’ll get annoyed and what? Fire you? You really think I would do that?”
She stared up at him for a long moment then she blinked and shook her head. “No, you wouldn’t do that.” It sounded like she’d only just figured it out.
He hated that she’d thought it at all.
“Of course, I wouldn’t damn well do that.” He cupped her face between his hands. “I don’t want you hiding things from me. Especially out of fear of my reaction. I’m not going to abandon you like everyone else in your life, Aspen.”
“I’m messed up, aren’t I?”
“Just a little. But, then, so am I. And don’t worry, I’m going to help you.”
“Want me to spank you until you cry then you can pour your heart out?” she asked cheekily.
He threw back his head and laughed. “It will be a cold day in hell before that happens, pet. But you know what you can do?”
Her heart raced. “What?”
“Come home with me. To my bed.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
12
“Have I lost you, pet?”
“What?” She looked over at him then glanced around, surprised to find they were in his bedroom. “I don’t remember entering the house.” Leaving the club had been a bit of a blur. She guessed she’d been too busy thinking about what happened earlier.
He cupped her face between his hands, running this thu