Page 31 of Wilderness Daddy

Chapter Seven

Akari

I hold my breath as I wait for him to answer. I don’t know what he’ll say. Would I marry me after the way I’ve behaved? Yeah, unlikely. I’m throwing up red flags galore and I don’t even know why. I mean obviously I don’t want to get married and yet I know he’s the better alternative if I do, but I also like him.

Landon’s patient dominance does something to me. I respect the way he takes charge of a situation by dealing with it head-on instead of lecturing and walking away. Plus he’s clever as hell inside the office and out.

My family ignores me for days, punishes me with shunning. But Landon is different. He’s the kind of man who solves things, who’s open and determined to clear issues before they become problems. I want that too. I’m desperate for it. Even though I’ve been running away every time things have been difficult between us. I bite my lip, changing my thought. Every time I’ve been difficult.

And then there’s the way he’s been physical with me. His spankings not only cleared my head, made me think rather than react, calmed me, but they made my body thrum and throb. I keep reliving his discipline in my mind and I have to use my hand to ease the ache my thoughts bring on.

“Akari,” he says and pauses. His eyes, green like spring moss after the rain, search my face. “I will marry you, but only if I can’t get us out of this arrangement.”

Stinging behind my eyes surprises me. His rejection weighs heavy on my chest. I swallow when his eyes narrow slightly in scrutiny. As he walks toward me, I shiver involuntarily.

“Honey, you look upset.” He’s in front of me and I don’t know what to do so I look sideways and drink the rest of my beer. It’s cold and yeasty, but feels good going down. I set the empty beer down on the work bench beside me.

He surprises me when his hands touch my hips, but as they slide lower to grasp my bottom, my stomach erupts in wild flurries. He hoists me up to set me on the tailgate of his truck. I know I’m tiny but he still lifts me as if I’m nothing but feathers. I lick my lips and then his thumb brushes the corner of my mouth.

“Little droplet of beer there,” he says huskily. “You gonna tell me what’s got you upset?”

I shake my head.

“Come on now, little one. You can tell me. I’m a good listener.”

My eyes flutter closed. No one has ever called me that besides him. I would have gutted them. But from Landon’s mouth it feels like a gentle caress. It’s like permission to put away my fierce warrior and show my vulnerable side. Not to be the woman who fights every day to be seen, heard, and noticed for more than a pretty face. Maybe because he’s the only one who’s seen what I’m capable of and has the knowledge to recognize the skill.

“Landon, I want to apologize again.”

“Then look me in the eye, Akari.” His words, although spoken quietly, are stern.

“I can’t,” I say in a whisper. “It’s humiliating.”

“Because of the way you acted or because I treated you like a spoiled little girl and spanked you?”

God! His words, which would normally set me ablaze with anger, cause fluttering in my gut, swirling in my womb, and honest-to-goodness contrition. My face heats and he uses his finger to make me look at him.

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