Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
“Okay.” I rub my hands on my thighs again, wondering if it’s really possible that a day might come when I won’t need Melissa to help me see life through a healthier lens. I’ve never considered that possibility. The idea is kind of exciting and scary at the same time.
I’m twenty-two years old. I just moved out of my parents’ house and into my apartment near them a year ago. I’ve been working on my independence. I’ve been successful too.
Meeting Chase changes everything. I know I’m leaning on him. “Do you think it’s a bad thing for me to let Daddy take care of me?” I ask Melissa as it occurs to me that I’ve spent a year separating from my parents to make sure I can take care of myself.
“Not necessarily. You just need to be careful. I assume there are a lot of times when he’s at work and you’re on your own. You have to be able to cook for yourself and manage anything that comes up just like you would alone in your apartment.”
“That’s true,” I murmur.
Melissa sits forward. “Life sometimes throws us curveballs, Josie. I want you to have the ability to manage those curveballs. That means you need to continue to hone all the skills necessary to live on your own. You haven’t known Chase very long. Just be careful that you don’t lean so heavily on him that you end up backpedaling all the work we’ve done. That doesn’t mean you can’t spend time in Little space. Spend all the time you want exploring whatever makes you comfortable and happy. But be mindful that you need to also be able to take care of yourself.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“How about when Chase is at work you make sure you’re still doing the things we’ve discussed for months. Check your lists. I think you’ll feel even stronger if you can combine this new life change with your current practices. Keep a journal, and when we meet next, you can go over the list with me. How does that sound?”
I smile. “Perfect. Thank you, Melissa.”
Chapter One
One month later…
“Josie, I’m home.”
I jerk my gaze to the time in the corner of my computer monitor and gasp. It’s already six o’clock? “I’m coming, Daddy,” I call out as I hurry to close my document and shut down the computer. “Shoot, shoot, shoot,” I murmur as I save my work. “Hurry… Ugh…” Why must the computer always move in slow motion when I really need it to respond faster?
I can hear his footsteps in the hallway, getting closer. Shoot. I squirm in my desk chair, knowing I’m going to get a spanking before our fun night even starts.
“Josie…” His stern voice fills the room from the doorway.
I twist my neck to look at him. Every time he comes into a room, it takes my breath away. As a detective, he doesn’t wear a police uniform, but he almost always leaves the house in perfectly ironed slacks, a dress shirt, and a tie. Today’s pants are khaki. His shirt is navy, and his tie is maroon. Yeah, he’s mouthwatering.
“Hey, Daddy. You look so handsome,” I inform him even though his brows are narrowed and I know I’m about to get in big trouble.
“Josie…” Another warning as he saunters into the room, one hand loosening his tie. “Did you forget to set your alarm? Or did you deliberately disobey the rules?”
I sigh, dropping my shoulders. It’s not going to do me any good to continue hurrying to shut down for the night. I’ve been caught. “I forgot to turn on the alarm,” I inform him softly. “I’m sorry.” I wiggle back and forth in my chair, knowing my bottom is going to be on fire soon.
Daddy reaches me and tucks a finger under my chin to tip my head back, forcing me to meet his gaze. He’s smirking now. “Did you really forget, or is it possible you’re still sitting in this office working on purpose?”
I gasp, my eyes going wide. “No, Daddy. Why would I deliberately break the rules?”
“Mmmm, maybe because you haven’t done anything naughty enough to warrant a spanking for several days, and you thought you’d test the boundaries again to see if I will always follow through on my promise to discipline you when you’re naughty?”
His suggestion is ludicrous, isn’t it? I swallow. I don’t know how to respond.
Daddy squats down in front of me, putting us at eye level. “What’s the rule, Josie?”
“If I’m going to get up early in the morning and start working when you leave for work, I have to end my day by five.”
“How many times has Daddy reminded you of that?”
“Dozens,” I admit.
“When was the last time I reiterated that rule, Baby girl?”
“This morning before you left, Daddy,” I mutter. I clench my butt cheeks at the same time.