Page 7 of Wilderness Daddy

Chapter Two

Akari

“I can’t believe you spanked me. Who does that in this day and age?” I say, shivering uncontrollably as he wades in deeper to get me. He untangles me and then scoops me up. I squeal at the unexpected upward movement and cling to him tightly. His skin feels hot and I can’t help but snuggle up to him for warmth.

“I gave you fair warning,” he replies gruffly, walking up the rocky shore noticeably even-breathed despite the cold and extra load in his arms. Even in my current pissy mood, I can admit he’s right.

“I guess so.”

I don’t even know who I am lately. And not that I’ll ever admit it, but I actually feel better since he took control, as if him taking power over the situation gave me the ability to let go and concentrate on reining my demons. And ever since I found out about the merger union, I’ve had a lot of uncontrollable demons. But tonight my behavior has been lunacy at best. As if making him believe I’m a chain-smoking, promiscuous drug addict would change things.

“I’m sorry.” And I am. After all, even if he orchestrated the whole thing—the merger, the... ugh, I don’t even want to think the word... union. Even if it’s all on him, everyone else agreed to it, so he’s not the only one who deserves my wrath but so far he’s the only one who’s gotten it.

“I... I was a jerk,” I say. Landon’s gaze shoots to mine instantly. Looking at his gorgeous lagoon green eyes so closely makes my stomach quiver. I still hate the big, sexy asshole, but I feel something else too. Something carnal.

Just hormones, I tell myself. But I’m no fool. His dominance turned me on like nothing ever has before. It sliced through my anger like a hot knife to butter and melted my core.

I drop my gaze after a mere second of his penetrating stare. He brings me all the way to my cabin, walks up the steps of the porch, and sets me down near the door. I stumble, a little dizzy and numb from the cold. He catches me. My wet dress weighs me down and I can’t stop shivering.

“I’m sorry too,” he says and my head pops up. He holds his hand out. “Key.”

“You are?” I say, ignoring his request.

He sighs. “Not for spanking you.” He presses his lips a moment before giving me a little smirk. “I enjoyed that.” And then he points at me. “And you deserved it.”

“Then for what?” I ask, my voice cracking.

“I’m sorry you were a jerk.” My eyes widen at his honesty and his narrow on mine, challenging me to retort. I wonder if he’d spank me again for arguing. The thought makes my heart jump in my chest.

“Now, your keys.” He looks at his outstretched palm. “Before you freeze to death.”

“I guess I kinda deserved it.” I shrug and then reach into the bodice of my dress where I kept both the keys and the cigarettes I stole from some douche who hit on me at the bar earlier.

Nothing. I check the other side and swallow hard. The only thing in the corselet of my dress is me.

“You deserved worse,” he says in his deep timbre and then stops talking when he sees me start searching the ground.

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