Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“I’m not worried about Marla,” Zack says. “She’s with a dom now who will protect her.” He clears his throat. He still doesn’t want to name Viktor, but we all know. Then he turns to Chandra. “But I’m not sure how far his protection goes. If he’s distracted with Marla... It might be best for you to stay home from the bookstore until we’ve got this sorted.”
Chandra lifts her chin with a defiant glare I know all too well. She’s got a little brat in her that surfaces sometimes, and at the look she’s giving me now, I know exactly what has to happen. My response to her is as instinctual as breathing.
“Chandra,” I warn. That brings her eyes to me. I level a steady look at her and reach for her hand to let her know I’m listening to her and I won’t take her away from what’s important to her. By holding her hand, I can silently convey what I need to: a gentle squeeze to let her know I’ve got her, a firmer squeeze to warn her to behave before I have to punish her.
“This is my lifeline,” she says to me. “I love working at the bookstore. Marla’s my closest friend, and there’s no way I’m going to let some trumped-up fear with literally no evidence to prove there’s danger take me away from what I love.”
I blink in surprise. She’s being irrationally defiant, more so than I even expected.
“Chandra, listen,” I begin, but she plows on as if I haven’t said a thing.
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, Zack,” she says, “I just don’t see the need to change anything based on hardly any evidence. So, no, I’ll still go to the bookstore, but I’ll be careful.”
Zack’s jaw tightens, and he looks as if he wants to say something, but he brings his eyes to mine and raises his brows. We communicate without words. He’s asking me if I’m going to handle her, and I tell him with a firm nod as I get to my feet that I will.
“We’ll talk about this privately,” I say to Chandra, tugging her hand. I can feel her defiance radiating off her in waves. She wants to push back, maybe even has to, and she needs to know when she does I won’t crumple. “I’ll talk to you later, Zack.”
Chandra doesn’t say anything until we’re out of the office. “Axle,” she pleads. “This isn’t fair. You can’t just dom me into giving up everything that’s important to me over the stupidest threat.”
“We’ll talk when we’re alone,” I tell her. I refuse to have this out here when I can’t do exactly what I need to to stop her from spiraling out of control. I’ve heard enough from Zack that I believe him, and until his people have secured the possible threat to her, she’ll stay safe if I have to spank her little ass every damn day and tie her to my bedpost.
“Axle,” she fusses, trying to tug her hand out of mine but I only hold her hand firmer and walk faster. Finally, she gets the point, or at least she seems to, as she’s now trotting along beside me instead of trying to get away. I scan the bar area but it’s nearly vacant, only Travis wiping down the counter. He looks from me to her and knows exactly what’s going on, so he just whistles to himself as if to say he’s minding his own business. Good.
I finally get her to our private room, usher her in, and lock the door. I don’t think of the room as just mine anymore. Girly toiletries and scents are littered throughout the bathroom, her shoes lined up in the closet, and backup changes of clothing neatly folded in the drawers. Other things I brought here myself also belong to her—a silky black blindfold, as well as a wooden paddle with the words For Naughty Little Girls emblazoned across the top. Though I prefer using my hands on her, and she prefers that, too, I got this one implement in the event of a punishment. She isn’t rewarded with a hand spanking when she’s naughty and knows I’m displeased when I take out the paddle.
I release her hand and point to her clothes. “Strip,” I tell her.
But she doesn’t submit as quickly as she should. Anchoring hands on her hips, she glares at me. I’m a little surprised by this. I knew she needed a spanking, but still, Chandra is naturally submissive, and it’s rare she defies me so boldly.
“I want to talk first,” she says, her body taut with anger, her eyes bright.
Frowning, I walk over to where we keep the implements with slow, purposeful strides. I know she’s watching my every move. I want her fearing punishment and eventually, as our relationship progresses, she’ll know my expectations, but she’ll also grow to trust me more. She won’t have as much of a need to defy me, and obedience will become intuitive.