Page 34 of Under His Command

“I’ve been a dominant for a long time and have learned a few things about submissives.” His fingers curled firmly around her upper arm as he walked her forward, away from her car.

“Where are we going?”

Her question went unanswered, and he didn’t say another word until he stopped at his truck and opened the passenger’s door. “Get in.”

She tipped up her chin, biting her lip. Damn sunglasses. She couldn’t see his eyes to guess, so had to ask. “What are you thinking?”

“That we need to go someplace quiet and talk. When we’re done, you’ll have a decision to make. Either way, you are going home with a red, hot backside.”

Ignoring the second half of his statement, since she deserved both his anger and a spanking after the way she’d acted, she concentrated on the first part. “What kind of decision?”

“I’ll explain when we get there. Get in the truck.”

“But—”

“Now, Cassie.”

Her lips suddenly dry, her tongue came out to wet them. When she didn’t move fast enough, his fingers curled around her waist, and he lifted her, settling her behind firmly on the seat. He leaned in and buckled her seat belt. As he moved back, his hand came to her cheek, turning her face up to his.

“I’m on a thin thread here, Cassandra. Don’t push me.”

She blinked, uncertain what she had done to make things worse and thought it wise to nod in understanding, even if she didn’t.

He held her gaze for a moment then pulled away, his fingers gliding lightly along her jaw, sending a shiver down her spine. His touch set up a tingle between her legs, just like Saturday night. As he shut the door and walked around to his side, she squirmed and shifted, trying to decrease the distracting sensation.

She stilled when he opened his door and climbed in.

The truck engine roared to life, the rumbling causing the seat beneath her to vibrate for a moment. It stopped when he pulled forward and moved out of the lot, heading north. But the damage was done, the ache and wetness between her thighs now worse. Trying to ignore her body’s response to the man seated beside her, she clasped her hands tightly in her lap and turned her head to stare out the window.

They drove in silence for a few miles before he took the exit to The Village of Coronado. He turned east toward the bay. In a few minutes, they drove past the coffee shop.

“Your girlfriend is beautiful.” After she blurted out the words, she wanted to reel them back in.

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Her head swung his way.

“My sister, Sarah, was in town last week for a business conference. We met for dinner then had coffee at Bay Front. The view there is spectacular, which is why it’s one of her favorite spots. She stayed at my place for the night and flew out the next morning, back to New York.”

Stifling a groan, she dropped her head against the high seat back, rolling it toward the window. “She must think I’m terribly rude.”

“Mm...” was his noncommittal response.

She closed her eyes, wishing for the power of teleportation. When the vehicle slowed and made a sharp turn, Cassie cracked open one eye and saw he’d pulled into the driveway of a Mediterranean-style house with stucco exterior walls, arched windows, and a terracotta shingled roof. While Flynn got out and came around to her side, she took in the neatly landscaped yard with its six-foot privacy fence all around. Everywhere she looked, she saw a profusion of color in the flowering trees and shrubs. It was lovely.

“Who lives here?” she asked when he opened her door.

“I do. Come on out.” He extended his hand to her, curling his fingers in a “hurry up” gesture when she didn’t take it.

She frowned at his bossiness. Always present, it had simmered beneath the surface with her in the past. Today, it had increased to a full rolling boil. Considering her current situation, she didn’t protest, thinking it best to do as she was told and get this talk over. Placing her hand in his, she used it to steady herself as she slid to the ground.

Flynn didn’t step back. Instead, he crowded her as he reached in and flipped the lock, before taking her arm and closing the door. He then led her up a stone walkway to the front door.

The property here didn’t come cheap. She’d checked when she was apartment hunting. It surprised her he could swing it, even on a commander’s pay. It had to have cost a mint.

As she took in the manicured lawn, the pristine shrub beds without the first sign of weeds, and the flowering pots on the small porch, the beginnings of a smile curved her lips. “This isn’t at all what I imagined.”

“What did you expect?” he asked, sounding distant as he unlocked his door.

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