Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
There was something about him that was so compelling . . . that it kept drawing her closer and closer.
Wanting more of him.
“I’m going to take good care of you. I promise. You trust me to look after you, don’t you?”
“It’s just . . . you can be a lot.” Like, right now. When she didn’t know what way was up and what was down.
“Am I more than you can handle?”
She didn’t know if she imagined a soft note in his voice. Vulnerability?
She doubted it.
“I . . . I hope not.” She closed her eyes. In for a penny, in for a pound.
It wasn’t like she’d gone into any of this with her eyes closed. Faith knew he was a pushy bastard who got what he wanted.
This time, what he wanted also happened to align with what she’d always desired but had been too afraid to ever ask for.
Which was probably what scared her the most.
“My brave girl. You’re being so good.”
She let out a small laugh that was also close to a sob.
“So, back to your choices. You can get a spanking now. It will be shorter, and you will get it out of the way. Or you can put your punishment off. There’s a catch, though, since you won’t know when I’m going to spank you. Or how. That will be my choice. And a surprise for you.”
Was there an option C? Because neither of those options appealed.
She couldn’t imagine going over his lap right now.
But that meant he could spring a punishment on her at any time.
Well, maybe you’ll get fired again before he gives you that punishment.
Now there was a cheery thought.
Why do now what she could put off until later?
Yes, she knew that wasn’t the saying . . . but everything felt a bit raw.
She felt vulnerable. Worn down.
Everything was getting on top of her, and she was worried that as soon as he touched her, she’d burst into tears.
Reuben watched her with too-knowing eyes. His face seemed to soften, although that might have been her imagination.
“Later, then.”
She nodded.
“Just be aware, Little Blossom. This might feel like a reprieve, but it’s not. I’m an exacting bastard. You know I like things done a particular way, and none of that changes just because of our relationship. If anything, I will be more demanding.”
Relationship.
That word seemed to echo in her brain.
Was that really what was happening? If it was . . . she knew it would be like no relationship she’d ever experienced in her life.
Not that she had a lot of experience. Matt was her longest partner.
And you ruined that.
“What does that even mean to you?” she asked. “Like . . . is it . . . do you want to date? To see me outside of work? To . . . to do things?”
Amusement filled his face. “To do things? Why? What sort of things are you talking about, Ms. Blossom? I’m not sure I understand.”
Oh, he understood, the bastard.
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m going to need you to spell it out. So there are no misunderstandings.”
“Kissing. Intimacy. Things like that.”
“Intimacy? I think the word you’re looking for is fucking.”
Gulp.
Was the room spinning slightly? She felt very warm. “I can’t breathe.”
“The thought of fucking me has stolen your breath?” he queried. “Interesting.”
It wasn’t interesting. It was kind of terrifying.
And it was also bad how much she wanted that. How much she craved him.
“We’ll fuck eventually, baby. I know you want me. Just like I want you. But it’s more than just that. I’m going to be your lover, your boss, your protector, your Daddy, your Dom. Your everything. So, you might want to prepare yourself for that.”
How did she prepare herself for that?
19
“Right. So I guess you won’t be picking me up to take me to the movies and getting me back home by ten with nothing more than a kiss on the lips.”
Why did she say that?
“Movies?” He spoke the word like it was foreign. “No, we won’t be doing that. But we can date if you like.”
“We can?”
That was unexpected. But maybe if they dated, it meant she could slow things down a bit and perhaps he wouldn’t completely overwhelm her.
Yeah, good luck with that.
“Yes. I have something for us to go to together this weekend.”
He . . . did?
“It’s the charity banquet on Saturday night. You’ll be coming with me.”
Oh no.
No, no, no.
“I can’t do that.”
His gaze narrowed. Why had she come in this morning? Why hadn’t she left?
Run far and fast?
Because you’re an idiot, that’s why. An idiot who doesn’t want to run.
You want to be here.
“Yes, you can,” he said in a low voice.
“I, um . . . but I don’t have anything to wear.”
“That’s fine.” He drew his credit card from his drawer and placed it on the desk.
Was this really happening right now?