Page 30 of Addiction

Tucker was right behind her, his feet on either side of her body as he worked on her hair, and she knew, without needing to look, that all of his focus was on her. Her lips curled at the warming thought.

I have all of his attention.

Even though the reality had been true for a long time, she liked the sound of that a lot. Tucker was the kind of man whose company she could definitely get used to.

Time lapsed as the brush ran through her hair, her eyes closing at its rhythmic motion until he found a small tangle.

“Ow!” she whispered, wincing as he worked through the knot.

“Sorry, little girl.” He parted the curtain of her hair and kissed the back of her neck.

“It’s okay.” The feel of his lips at her nape was astonishingly good. “It does tangle easily, sir. That’s why I wanted to brush it sooner rather than later.”

“I’ll bear that in mind.”

Hearing the smile in his voice as he continued guiding the bristles, she pressed her hands into the soft robe at her thighs. What did that mean? Was he taking notes about how to brush her hair because he intended to perform the task himself from now on? She didn’t know how she felt about it. She was reveling in the understanding developing between them but couldn’t imagine losing the ability to perform such a rudimentary function as brushing her own hair.

“There.” Pride echoed in his voice as he placed the brush down at his right side. “Your hair is brushed, and if it’s possible, you’re even more beautiful.”

She inhaled at his compliment. “Thank you, sir.”

“And now to your spanking…”

She tensed, as though she’d somehow forgotten the reason they were in the lounge in the first place.

“Do I really have to be spanked?” It was easier to ask now that she wasn’t looking his way. “I mean, I know you love your cabin, but it doesn’t exactly hold many good memories for me.”

The sound of his sigh filled the air around them.

“That’s as it may be, but you were still intentionally disrespectful about the home you know I love.” He paused, as if he was waiting for his verdict to sink in, but he needn’t have bothered.

She’d heard him all right, and she understood. Time stretched out around them as she tried to decide how much trouble she was really in.

“It wasn’t my intention to be disrespectful,” she started, although even as she spoke, she sensed that wasn’t right. What was closer to the truth was that she’d underestimated how sensitive he was about the bloody place. Her analysis had been nothing more than a flippant jibe. She hadn’t expected him to take offense.

“I disagree.” His hand arrived at her chin, twisting her attention back to his face. “You were rude about the only home you knew I had.”

His frown told her that he was serious, so she swallowed the next protest that rose at his accusation.

Rude? She glanced down at the rug under her knees. Is that what I was?

“Okay,” she croaked. “I’m sorry.” As heat rushed to her cheeks, she realized that she might actually be contrite. She hadn’t meant to be bad-mannered, especially to the version of Tucker who was finally taking her away from his blasted cabin. She guessed she would have to think more carefully before she joked at his expense in the future.

“You already apologized.” His hand rose to her cheek, skimming her flaming skin. “And I accepted that apology, little girl. This is only your punishment.”

“You’re going to spank me.” She already knew that much.

“That’s right.” His fingertips trailed over her jaw. “A good, old-fashioned punishment over my lap.”

The words swirled around her head as though they wanted to mock her.

He’s going to spank me!

Her heart rate accelerated at the certainty. He was going to spank her, and secretly, she knew it was what she wanted. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be waiting at his feet. She’d be up, screaming about the indignity and looking for a way out. After all, she wasn’t stuck in the forest anymore. She could be out of this high-rise in a matter of minutes and into the city. She could attract help and finally be free. Even if his elevator locked, there had to be a fire escape.

So, why aren’t I running?

She exhaled at the troubling query, the answer more than abundant in her mind. She wasn’t running because she didn’t want to run. She didn’t understand Tucker’s desire to spank her or her need to undergo more of the brunt of his palm, but she couldn’t deny her simmering excitement at the prospect.

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