Page 25 of Daddy's Rules

Chapter Seven

Jordan

He leaves me dumbfounded and breathing heavily on the floor. I cover my face with my hands, my wrists bereft without his touch, practically burning where he’d touched me. We didn’t even last twenty-four hours. What the hell am I doing? I knew it wouldn’t work. My inner voice tells me it’s because I’m weak. I curse that inner voice.

“Hey, you okay?” Owen is back from answering his phone. He’s rumpled from our time on the floor. I nod and rise quickly, not looking him in the eye.

“All good. Gotta shower,” I say and pass him, heading toward the washroom. He grabs my arm and stops me.

“Listen, we didn’t talk.” He tugs me until I face him. I still can’t look him in the eye so I stare at his chin. “This was my fault, but today I’m getting you set up in the spare room and we’ll do things right. I meant what I said yesterday. You’re mine and I take care of what’s mine.”

“I should be able to do this on my own, Owen. I shouldn’t have come running to you for help. And this daddy thing, well, it’s just stupid. Weird. Creepy.”

“Yes, you should. That’s what I’m here for. And baby, I love the daddy thing.”

“No...”

He stops me with a hard look. “Are you arguing with me, Jordan?”

I swallow hard and don’t answer. He spins me quick to give me a sharp swat to my ass. I gasp at the sting that one swat leaves. My hands automatically grab my cheeks as he spins me back to face him.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. As cliché as it is, it’s true.” He touches my face in a caring gesture and I can’t help but lean into it even though my backside is still buzzing from his spank.

“You’re right. But I was thinking...” I stand straight, releasing my butt and take his hand from my face and hold it. “I have to sell my condo, and well, I’ll get enough for it to get another place so...” I pause, losing my confidence as his expression turns impatient. “Since you control the money, I thought, maybe, uh, you could give me an advance to get another place until mine sells.”

He takes his hand from mine and crosses his arms. His jaw works and I hold my breath waiting for him to speak but it seems like hours.

“Condo goes on the market and we continue with your living arrangements here... with me... and that’s final.” He turns away so his back is to me. “I won’t cross the line again, Jordan, but I’ll damn well take care of you. Now go shower.”

“But...”

“Jordan.” He says my name impatiently. He’s using a tone that speaks to my submissive side. One I know I can’t argue with. “I’m taking the day off today to get you settled, take you out for a platonic daddy dom slash baby girl day of fun, and get your mind off everything. Argue and I’ll set you straight about how things are going to go between us here and now, got me?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He walks away then and I’m left standing there, strangely happy that I won’t be leaving him, and yet disappointed in myself for not being an independent woman capable of taking charge of myself.

“Jordan?” He stops at the door, his back still to me.

“Yes?”

“This is what you need. This is the first step in taking control of your life. Remember how excited you were before you knew I was Mr. Smith. You knew then that this would work for you. Now it’s just a little different, but it’ll still work. Honey...” He turns to look at me. “You’re gonna do this. I promise you. You’ll be standing on your own two feet sooner than you think.”

I nod, tears prickling behind my lids, but I will not shed them. I’ve cried enough for a lifetime already. But his confidence in me makes me choke up. I’m glad one of us believes in me.

“Yes, Sir,” I repeat and my heart swells at his smile.

“Good girl.”

The shower renews me and my body feels good after my yoga routine. I feel stronger inside and out. I comb out my hair and blow it dry and smooth. I still have the towel wrapped around me as I search through my bag for something to wear. Was I was still drunk when I packed? I have nothing to wear.

“You know that I’m a bit of a neat freak, right?” I look up, startled by Owen’s voice. I follow his eyes to the clothes I’ve tossed all over the floor.

“Uh, yeah. I’ll put everything back.” I fold my arms tighter over my towel-covered body, trying to balance the position so it evenly covers enough of my chest and still doesn’t ride up too high on my thighs. He smirks and I bite my lip. My nipples are instantly hard and my clit throbs in slow pulses for him. Dammit!

“Baby, you’d better. I want today to be fun, and that might be harder if your ass is on fire.” He gives me a wink. I clamp my lip tighter between my teeth to keep from smirking. I’m already on fire, just not where he’s mentioned. “You think this is funny, little one?”

I shake my head vigorously and he chuckles, heading for me. I squeal and run, but he catches me and swats his palm over my towel-covered tush. It doesn’t hurt, not even a little, but it does increase the throbbing between my legs.

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