Page 35 of Taming Her

He turned at the sound of soft footsteps.

Ava appeared, her hair a little disheveled and her eyes sleepy.

God, she’s beautiful, even like that.

Griff smiled and set down his water. He flicked the kettle on. “Tea?”

“Mmm, please.” She sniffed the air. “Smells good.”

“I hope you like chili.”

“Love it. Can’t remember when I last had it.” She tucked her hair behind her ears.

“Good.” He nodded at the armchair beside the open glass door. “Sit, I’ll make your drink.”

“On that?” She raised her eyebrows at him and pointed at the chair.

“Yes.”

“Are you sure, Griff, because I’m not worthy of sitting on your furniture if I remember rightly.”

He tensed. Just when he thought she was going to be less mouthy it seemed that wasn’t the case. “Sit down.”

She tilted her head, a damn cheeky glint flashed in her eyes.

“Why are you testing me?”

“I’m not, I’m just checking you really don’t mind my wild child ass sitting on that chair.”

“I seem to remember the tally from earlier is forty spanks for cheeking me and giving me challenging looks.”

“What? I…”

“You thought I was joking?” He huffed and reached for a mug. “I’d be very careful, Ava, if you don’t want your ass reddened again tonight.”

“You had no fucking right to take the spatula to my ass last night.”

He sighed and dropped a teabag in the cup.

“I should call the damn police, report you.”

“Ava.” He turned, folded his arms, surveyed her. “Iamthe damn police, remember.”

Her bottom lip stuck out, actually protruded creating a small shadow beneath it.

“And if you hadn’t behaved like a brat, you wouldn’t have been punished.” He shook his head. “Come on, I know you’re a bright woman.”

“But I—”

“I’m speaking!” he growled.

She clamped her mouth shut.

“It’s a simple rule. Behave and you will be rewarded, misbehave and you will be punished.”

“And why is it you get to decide the rules?”

“Because someone had to, and I figure I’m the only one up for the job and willing to take it on?” The kettle came to a boil and he tipped water into the mug.

---