Page 48 of Taking Her Medicine

Aaron felt around the crown of my head, down and over my face. He continued along each of my arms. “On a scale from one to ten, ten being the worst pain you’ve ever felt, what level are you at?”

“Um, like a five. I’m more upset than hurt.”

“Did you lose consciousness, Zoelle?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“You’ve got a solid bump on your head and it’s better to treat it as a suspected concussion to be on the safe side.” He swallowed hard. “Your shoulder isn’t dislocated but your wrist is a little swollen. Let’s get an x-ray to be sure nothing is broken.”

“I’m sure it’s fine.”

Aaron leaned close to my ear. “Just because I can’t spank you for the next twenty-four hours doesn’t mean I can’t find other ways to punish you for refusing to obey.”

“I-I’m sorry, Daddy.” I bit on my lip. “I’m really overwhelmed right now.”

“Once we get the results, I’ll get you some meds and bring you home. You’ll be staying with me for the weekend.”

“You have to work,” I scoffed. “I’ll stay at my own house.”

“I’ll figure it out, kitten.”

“So, I get hurt and now you’ll take time off?” I threw my right hand over my mouth.

Why had I said it like that?

“Yes, I’ve been working a lot but you had better watch your tone. We have a lot to talk about.”

“I’m sorry,” I apologized again. “I’ll do what you tell me to do.”

“Good girl,” he praised. “I’ll make sure you relax this weekend. We could both use the time to unwind.”

“Yeah, but come Monday it will be right back to the same routine. You’d have to kidnap me to the lake house like you’ve been promising for either of us to really relax,” I half-joked, but Aaron cupped my cheek. Something played across his features as he stared at me. “I’m not mad at you for working, Daddy. I didn’t mean to make it sound like that.”

“You are worth my time and energy, Zoelle. I love you.”

The phrase hung in the space between us as if it were a tangible thing. “You mean a lot to me. I’ve been crushing on you for a long time, and I’m pretty sure what I’m feeling is love. But I’ve got a lot going on in my brain right now.” I prayed he wasn’t going to bring up the time I’d said the phrase to him when I was deep in my little space. It cemented the fact to me that I spoke the truth, but my emotions were intense, unpredictable.

“Life is short, kitten. I see a lot of terrible things every day, and I’m not going to miss the opportunity to tell you how I feel. We’ll address your concerns when you are feeling better.”

“I’m still leaving this office. The environment is not conducive to me actually taking care of my responsibilities. Putting me in the breakroom cements the fact that the higher ups don’t give a shit about my well-being.”

“Were you already thinking about it, sweetheart?” Aaron wheeled me into the hallway. “Or is this just in response to the disagreement?”

“It’s been on my mind, Aaron.” I sniffled. “I’ll figure out another job.”

“I’ll support your decision as long as it’s not made in haste.”

“Thank you. I have paid time off that I’ve been saving. I’ll put in my two weeks’ notice instead of just walking out.”

“Will doing that give you vacation next week?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. You need a break.”

I stayed quiet as he brought me into a room with an x-ray machine. I wanted to remind him that he could really use a break as well.

No, you’re in enough trouble.

---