Page 60 of Paddy

“And I want what's best for you. And right now, that's filling up on pancakes so you could take me ice skating. I saw the skating rink on our way here. There's nothing else to do out here, so we may as well do that.”

***

“Shite!” Paddy shouted, after falling on his ass for the fifth time. The man was the embodiment of style, danger and courage so naturally, seeing him humbled by something he was terrible at was the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

“It's okay, Paddy. You can hold on to me,” I teased, as he finally accepted my offer after refusing it several times. He took my hand and with patience we glided across the ice, skating

along with the current of the crowded rink.

“You're loving this.”

“Orrrrr, I'm loving when you stop being stubborn and learn that there's not alwaysyourway to learn to do things. Besides, you're amazing ateverythingelse. You can be bad at least one thing.”

“I swear, I think they gave me the wrong size of skates or something. Because nothing should be this unstable. But I'm getting the hang of it,” he confirmed. For a while, we skated alongside each other until he gained up the confidence to skate behind me, taking me into his loving arms.

“You know, I like this better,” I said, as he kissed me on the cheek.

“Yeah, me too. That way, if I fall, it'll be on you,” he joked, admittingly it was funny, so I joined him in his witty comeback.

“You know, I've been wondering since we'll be here for a while and we don't need to hide. I'd like to have you the way Ifirst had you, but maybe more intensely, since we're not worried about being walked in on. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving all the sweet stuff, but I told you before I can't go long without needing a taste of it. Besides, you've been walking around all week throwing tantrums and talking back to me. It's been too long since I showed you some discipline.”

Discipline did sound kind of nice right now, and while we had the time and freedom, I was anxious to learn more of what I could endure and more of what he could give. At first, I didn't know what I liked about it, but the more it sat with me, it was really simple.

I liked being his muse, his masterpiece, his entire center. There was nothing more that he cared about when we were in that space. And I think that's what I was missing before him. Just being that to someone.

“Can we talk more about it when we get home?” He nodded, kissing me on a cheek as we skated into the night.

Twenty-Seven

Pretty

I stretched out, waking up in an empty bed. My body ached from yesterday's ice capades,

but if I was being honest myself, the wild sex we had last night didn’t help either. Paddy wasn't usually a late sleeper, but even this was quite early for him. I got up, perusing the cabin to find him at his desk in the living room, scribbling away on paper. I put my arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek as he returned the gesture.

“You're up early. I felt so lonely without you.”

“I apologize, I just had a lot on my mind. Figured it couldn't hurt to stretch my legs a bit. Come here,” he said, pulling me onto his lap as I wrap my arms around his neck.

“What are you writing?” I eyed curiously, unable to make out his illegible writings.

“Well, you know how we talked about having another dark moment together? Usually it helps when I write all the things I want to try it down. I guess I feel it makes things run smoother. You know, instead of just going in with no plan.” I placed a kiss on his cheek.

“You hungry? I could heat you something up.” He kissed my hands and then blessed me with three rapid fire kisses in random places.

“Yeah, that would be nice.”

“Why don't you share with me some of the stuff on that list too? Since I'mma be the one you do it to.” I stood, his palm meeting my bottom in a slap.

“Sexy lady,” he flirted, with a bite to his lip, and for the first time in a long time, I felt comfortable at my own skin. I fried up some eggs and sausage, buttering up some toast with a side of jam and butter the way I knew he liked it. When I returned plate in hand, he pulled me on his lap again, making me feel all dainty and feminine.

“What's on your little list?” He tackled the meat first, alternating between the eggs and the toast next.

“Naturally, it helps to talk about it first. I don't want to do something I think you won't like, but inherently therewillbe things we'll bump heads on since a lot of this stuff ain't common.” He offered me a bite of his toast but instead I took his fork and helped myself to a bit of the eggs.

“Well, don't keep me in suspense.” He chuckled, finishing off the rest of his toast in a single bite.

“Well for starters, one thing I was thinking about was tying you up, but more like torture style. That way I could just have my way with you. I'd have your arms suspended above your head, so you wouldn't be able to touch me. Then I'd spend some time using you, maybe even tickle you. The sick part of my brain gets off on seeing you suffer.” I shrugged.

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