Interest lit her eyes. “Can I use naughty words during my Big Girl day?”

“As long as you aren’t calling anyone names or saying them in anger toward someone… yes.” It wasn’t his preference, but he could bend. He could be flexible when the situation warranted it.

He could.

The wheels in her mind were working so hard he swore he could hear the gears turning. “And my Big Girl activity can be whatever I want?”

“Did you have something specific in mind?”

She nibbled her bottom lip, the way he’d noticed she did when she was nervous. “I was thinking… maybe a trip to the Dungeon. With you.”

Fuck. It took every ounce of self-control he had not to yank her into his arms and claim her right then and there. “I would love nothing more than to take you to the Dungeon and leave my marks all over your beautiful body, Eliza Bennett.”

“But?” she asked, sounding suddenly wary.

“But, I am going to need to be convinced that you have been one hundred percent honest with me about your limits and your needs before that can happen.”

“I am being honest.”

“Then all you have to do is convince me.”

Again with the nibbling before she finally nodded. “Deal.”

To his amusement, she stuck her hand out like any good businesswoman. He took her hand in his and gave it a firm shake.

“Done. Now, were you a good girl today?”

An adorable pink blush crept into her cheeks as she reached behind to rub at her bottom. “I think you know the answer to that.”

“Just because you were naughty doesn’t mean you weren’t a good girl. Let’s see… You ate breakfast and lunch, right?”

“Yeah.”

“And we’re about to eat dinner.” Picking up one of the sparkly Good Girl stars, he placed it on the “Three Meals a Day” square for Tuesday. “What about your homework?”

“Um. Well. I tried.”

“Okay. We can talk about that one over dinner. Water?”

“No,” she admitted with a sigh. “I tried but it’s so boring.”

Laughing, he reached out and ran a hand over her hair. “Maybe we can get some of those flavored drops for you to make it less boring. Let’s see… I know you went to all your classes today, since you only had the one and I spoke with Professor Remington after your class.”

“You did?” she asked as he moved a magnet to the correct spot. “What did he say?”

“That you behaved yourself, for the most part. He said he had to get on to you for talking to your friends a couple of times, but other than that, you were polite and attentive.”

“Attentive is not usually a word people use to describe me.”

“I’m aware.” And he had his thoughts about that, but he wanted to observe her a bit first before he broached them with her. “I think we should add setting and clearing the table to your chart. Once we get settled in a bit more, I’m happy to cook, or order in for us. Did you brush your teeth this morning?”

“Of course I did.”

“Another Good Girl star for you, then.”

“I don’t need stars for basic chores and hygiene.”

He sent her a deliberately stern look that had her rolling her eyes. “Well, I don’t.”