“I’m glad you understand. I’m full now. Need more coffee.” She tried to slide off the counter, but he placed his hand on her chest.

“You can’t get off the counter on your own,” he told her.

“Sure, I can. You want me to show you?” she asked, trying to move again.

“No,” he said. “I know you can do it, but you won’t do it. Because it’s my job to keep you safe and you could hurt yourself if you jumped off on your own.”

She didn’t see how. She’d jumped off balconies two stories high and not hurt herself.

But it probably wasn’t a good idea to tell him that. It would just lead to more questions that she couldn’t really answer.

“So if you want off the counter, you have to ask Daddy.”

“Okay, Daddy. Can I get off the counter now?”

“Not yet.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “Are you just having me on here, Daddy?”

“No. I just want to talk to you for a moment. I thought we could do some shopping for you this morning.”

“Shopping for what?” she asked. “I don’t need anything.”

“Hmm, as gorgeous as you are in our clothes, you might want something else to wear.”

“But I have clothes at my place.”

“Well, we could drive over there and get some, if you like.”

Oh. Wait.

No, she didn’t want to do that.

“Uh, no. That’s okay. Shopping sounds fun!” she said.

“Good. Are your clothes from yesterday clean enough to go out in?” he asked.

“Sure.” She’d just go without panties. “At least the pants will be. Maybe I could borrow a T-shirt.”

“All right, let’s get going.” He lifted her down, then turned her to face the counter.

He lifted the sweatshirt she was wearing and smacked his hand down on her ass.

“Hey! Ow!” she cried. “What was that for?

He turned her back around to face him. “For not listening earlier. Now, off you go and get ready.”

Sheesh.

He should have gottenher ready himself.

Salem stood at the bottom of the staircase, waiting for her. He’d debated whether to push for more control and in the end had decided to let her get ready on her own.

Idiot.

Now he felt out of sorts.

She was turning him inside out. And the truth was that he wanted more.