Page 48 of Twisted Little Thing

CHAPTER XVII

Evan

"I want you to write something down until the next time we see each other," I tell her.

She looks at me, tilting her pretty face to the side and arching her eyebrows quizzically. Drops of soapy water are running down the side of her face.

"What?" she asks in her usual straightforward manner.

"Two things," I continue. "One, I want you to think about what really motivates you to write. What do you eventually want to achieve with your writing? Do you think you could make a living from it? If so, how and–"

"Listen," she interrupts me. "I know you mean well, but I don't need another college counselor who tells me that I just need to find myself and realize what my priorities are–"

"I am not your counselor," I say. "I am your Dom. And if you want to be my sub, I want you to let me help you the way I can and want to."

"But –"

"No buts, Nicky," I insist, casting her a smile. "This is part of being mine. I told you that I like to take care of you. And this is one way for me to do it."

She looks at am, cocking her eyebrows with suspicion again. "You are very... stubborn. And possessive."

I nod. The words are familiar, and the last time I heard them, they were followed by heartache.

"Yes, I have heard that before," I say, avoiding eye contact. I don’t want her to look at me the same way Sheila did in the end. There’s a good chance that Nicky will make the same decision at some point, but I’m not ready to face that possibility. Not yet.

"Sheila?" I hear Nicky say.

I look back at her, wondering for a moment if I’ve said something out loud. She looks concerned.

"Is that why she left you?" she asks. "Because she couldn’t–"

"Two," I interrupt her, completely ignoring the question. "I want you to come up with a story. It doesn't have to be long or well thought through. Just an idea, a scene, a certain setting with one or two characters."

She looks at me, narrowing her eyes.

"Okay," she says. "I will do what you asked me to."

"How are to reply to me when I tell you to do something?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good girl."

I reach for her below the mountains of foam that are still surrounding us. Embracing her slim waist, I pull her closer and plant a kiss on her forehead.

"I will ask you again, you know," she whispers. "About Sheila."

"I know you will," I say. "I'm not the only one who is stubborn."

We are leaving the hotel together this time, but not in the same car. I ordered a driver for Nicky to take her home, while I head to the charity event. I know I’m late, but I couldn’t care less. Despite Roy’s insistence that I had to arrive on time, I’m well aware that no one in particular is waiting for me there. I just have to show my face; it’s not important for how long or at what time I do it.

Of course, Nicky insists that she can take the bus. It’s cute how much she insists on doing things her way, but I won’t have it. She’s safer in a car with one of my drivers than riding in a bus with a bunch of strangers.

"Oh, no, you're not taking the bus. I called a car for you," I tell her as we’re getting ready to go.

"But I –"

"I should spank you for every 'but' that leaves your lips," I say, glancing at her sternly.

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