Page 21 of Disciplined

Not for the first time she wondered how she had been so lucky to find Caleb. Never mind how handsome and rich he was. He meant so much more than just his money to her. Their brief disagreement two nights before had shaken her confidence in their relationship, and while she still didn’t fully understand why using her safeword at Black Light had upset him, she was just relieved that it seemed to have blown over.

The rumbling of her tummy was loud enough from the entry to the kitchen that it drew his attention away from the bacon.

Glancing up with a smile, he greeted her. “My little sleepyhead is awake. I was hoping you’d smell the bacon and come running.”

She didn’t want to burst his bubble, but it was the coffee she needed more than anything as she had hopes the caffeine might chase away the remnants of her dull headache.

“Morning, Daddy,” she greeted, hugging his waist from behind and laying her cheek against his bare back. She loved that he often went shirtless in the mornings, wearing only jeans until dressing for his day at the office.

“There’s a pot of coffee.”

“You know me so well,” she answered, releasing him to snatch a slice of waiting bacon before he could slap her hand away.

Minutes later they were seated at the dining table surrounded by the yummy food he’d made.

“You don’t have to go back to work until tomorrow, right?” she asked and before he answered she added, “We’re invited to a party at Sydney and Brian’s this afternoon to watch them open their gifts before they leave for their honeymoon.”

Caleb had been about to take a bite of eggs but lowered his still full fork to his plate. Without saying a word, the atmosphere in the room shifted as if a dark cloud had moved in front of the warm sun.

“Is your attendance required as part of your bridesmaid duties?” he asked in a tone reminding her of an interrogation.

Presley hesitated, unsure if she was just imagining things. “Required? I mean, I guess not. I think most everyone from the wedding party and their close family will be there, but…” She paused, finally adding. “I guess we don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I just thought since we both have the day off…”

“I have other plans for our day today,” he interjected.

Normally she’d be excited for any plans that included time with Caleb, but something about the hard glare on his face had her afraid to ask what his plans were.

“Okay… that’s fine, I guess. I can just text her and let her know we can’t make it.” Trying to lighten the mood, she teased. “I’d rather stay home and in bed all day with you anyway.”

Caleb finally took that bite of eggs before urging her to, “Eat your breakfast.”

An unusual tension was growing between them, and she hated it. “I’m not really hungry,” she answered truthfully. Her nerves had chased away any trace of hunger.

“I don’t care. You didn’t eat much yesterday with all the excitement of the wedding. And drink your glass of OJ. I worry you might be dehydrated.”

“I’ll be fine…”

“Presley.”

He’d used his Daddy voice. Normally it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside but for some reason today it annoyed her.

“I think I can figure out if I’m thirsty or hungry for myself,” she spat.

What was wrong with her? The last thing she wanted was to argue with Caleb. So why was she picking a fight over something as silly as breakfast?

Rather than doubling down on his demand that she eat, Caleb did something even worse. He put his fork down and just stared at her.

Her mind raced to figure out what was going wrong after their wonderful night before. She scrambled to think of a topic she could bring up that might get things back to normal between them.

Had he just been gone too long? Or worse, was he doubting their relationship now because of her stupid shopping spree?

“I had planned to have this conversation after we’d eaten, but maybe it can’t wait,” he said ominously.

Presley’s pulse picked up the pace as she panicked over the growing tension between them.

“Is something wrong?” she finally got out, although her voice quavered.

She held her breath, her fear ratcheting up with each second he didn’t respond.

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