“So, I’m a horrible liar. I’ll have to tell my coworkers the truth. That you came into my life to protect me and I fell for you and now we’re dating. I’m sure half the office will get a kick out of it. Half of them will think I’ve lost my mind. Half of them will talk about me behind my back. And half of them will think it’s romantic and be jealous.”
He chuckles. “For a woman who spends her days working with numbers, your math sucks.”
I laugh.
He draws me closer and kisses me sweetly. His hand runs up and down my back. He searches my face.
I lick my lips. “If you’re wondering how often I have an irrational meltdown like that, probably once a year. You won’t have to worry. You’ll be long gone.” I look away, wishing I hadn’t said that. It was snarky and unnecessary.
“Let’s worry about today and tomorrow for now. We’ll see what we can do about the future after I extract you from this mess, okay?”
I nod against him and relax into his embrace, my heart rate settling into a more reasonable pace as the minutes tick by.
Colt kisses the top of my head. “Now, my extensive research and education tell me that I cannot punish you for infractions that occur when you’re in your adult persona, so…”
I jerk my face up to look at him. “No, you may not.”
He grins evilly. “I can’t discipline you for cussing or having a tantrum, but I do think you would relax and feel better if you shifted back into your little space and let me spank you.”
I swallow. God, he’s so right. So very right. It’s scary how well he knows me and how quickly he has understood not just how to manage a little but how to manage this particular little. I nod.
“Good. I want you to take these clothes off. I’m going to find something else for you to wear, and then you’re going to stand in the corner in the kitchen for a while to get your headspace straightened out. When I decide you’re ready, I’m going to spank you hard enough to chase out all the bad things. Then you’ll be able to calm down.”
“Yes, Sir.” This is exactly what I want.
He pats my bottom. “Clothes off.”
I shove off the side of the bed and strip while he pads across my room and opens a few drawers. He returns to me holding up a pair of panties—pink ones covered with tiny white clouds. He squats down in front of me, and I hold his shoulders as I step into them. He pulls a white tank top over my head next. It’s tight and makes my already hard nipples beyond obvious.
Colt takes my hand and leads me into the kitchen. He points toward the corner. “Stand there until I tell you to move.”
I shuffle to my spot and lean my forehead against the corner where the two walls meet.
“Do you think I left that spoon on the floor for my health, baby? Spread your legs.”
I tremble as I do as I’m told, already sliding deep into my little space. It’s amazing how he manages me. Amazing and wonderful. I’m scared out of my mind.
Chapter 28
Colton
I need this timeout almost as much as Eve. I need the time to get my head on straight. Or at least as straight as possible under the circumstances.
She loves me.
I can’t stop grinning when I remind myself of that fact.
I love her too.
And I can’t stop panicking when I remind myself of that fact.
I don’t know what we do now. Where we go from here. I can’t see a path for us. But I wasn’t kidding. For now, we have to worry about only one thing, making sure Eve has a future. Nothing else matters if I can’t protect her.
I pace slowly while she stands very still, exactly as I’ve instructed her. She’s one of the sexiest women I’ve ever seen when she is in heels, a pencil skirt, and a professional blouse. But damn, she’s just as sexy when she’s in panties and a tank top. Her most comfortable little attire.
And I’m the lucky bastard who gets to love both sides of her.
She has her arms tucked up against her chest right now, but I don’t care. She needs the comfort of being able to hug herself. It would have been cruel to insist she clasp her hands behind her back. It’s enough that her feet are wide.
I know she’ll be very young and vulnerable after I spank her. She’ll need a long session of cuddling and aftercare. I’m up for it. I can’t wait to hold her in my lap and rock her while she recovers.
But first, she needs to be spanked harder and longer than I’ve done so far. It’s cleansing to her. I get it now. It’s cathartic.
I’m ready.
“Eve, baby. You can come out of the corner now.”
She turns away slowly and takes her time coming to me.
I take her hand and lead her into the living room where I sit in the middle of the couch and pull her between my legs. She meets my gaze. “You feel better after having some time alone, baby?”
She nods. “Yes, Sir.”
“But you’ll feel even better after you get your bottom spanked, won’t you?”
“Yes, Sir.” She flushes.
I love that it embarrasses her to voice her needs. It’s part of the process. “Tell Daddy what you need, baby.”
“I need you to spank me, Daddy, so that I’ll feel better. Make all the icky bad feelings go away.”
I cup her face. “Okay, baby.” I lean down and pull her panties off. I don’t want them around her knees. I want her to be able to spread her legs wide. When I guide her to one side of me, she whimpers. It’s expected. She’s also shaking a bit as I lower her over
