Page 15 of Melody’s Little Secret

“Easy,dulcita. You’re getting all caught up in your head. Breathe with me.”

Nodding, she obeyed and followed my lead. We breathed in and out a few times together until I was convinced she was calm enough to move on with the rest of our evening.

“Good girl.”

She blushed and looked away.

“How about I grab you some comfy clothes to change into after we bandage your cuts?”

“I just wanted to look pretty tonight.” She tugged at the hem of her skirt.

“You look beautiful. You didn’t get all dressed up for me, did you?”

“You may have been on my mind.” She shrugged.

Fighting an overwhelming urge to kiss her, I cupped her cheek and touched my forehead to hers before kissing the tip of her nose. If I took her lips now, then the entire night would go in a completely different direction, and I needed to stay in control. Her health and wellness were of the utmost importance. “Your efforts are noticed and appreciated. You can keep your pretty outfit on until I get you all bandaged up. Okay?”

“Okay,” she said breathily. Our proximity was getting to both of us. I kissed the tip of her nose again before putting a bit of space between us. “You stay here and tell me where I can find your clothes and then we’ll head back to the restaurant.”

“There should be a pair of sweatpants and a tee-shirt in the pile of laundry on my dresser,” she answered. A blush tinged her beautiful cheeks. “There-uh… might be a lot of laundry I haven’t gotten to put away. I’m usually more on top of it. I like to keep things tidy but there has been no time and I’ve just been so tired all the time,” she explained nervously.

I lifted her up onto the counter. “Dulcita, I don’t care about a little laundry, okay? You don’t have to be perfect or try to impress me. You’ve got my attention and it’s not going anywhere. You’re working yourself ragged and that will definitely be one of the first things we discuss when the time is right. Now stay put. I’m going to get your clothes.”

I left her there wondering if she would do as she was told, but not counting on it. Melody had a bona fide brat streak, but luckily, I was a certified brat tamer. I loved a good challenge. It kept life interesting and fun. Plus, any excuse to turn her over my knee and whup her little bottom would be a welcomed one.

“Hey, Bosco! Are you single?” she yelled from the other room, and I laughed.

“Yes,dulcita, but hopefully not for much longer,” I responded and was met with silence. If I were keeping score, that point would go to me.

I quickly found some comfortable clothes just where she said I would and then returned to the bathroom where, surprise surprise, my girl was not waiting for me.

Looking out the door, I saw her peeking around the corner from her new spot on the couch.

“I thought I told you to stay put?”

“I needed my phone.” She held it up like she needed to prove to me why she disobeyed.

“Could you not have waited two minutes? Or maybe you should have asked if I would get it for you?”

“My legs aren’t broken; it’s just some scrapes. I’m fine.”

“Okay, so let me know if I have this right. When we finally get to have a serious discussion, we will need to cover your guilt, your self-care, your sass, and your ability to do what you are told to do, when you are told to do it?”

She chewed on her bottom lip staring at me, eyes wide. “I don’t think you can cover all those things in one discussion,” Melody stated truthfully and without any sort of sassy tone.

“You underestimate my dedication to our talk,dulcita.” I winked, hoping to convey that I wasn’t mad at her, but I did take her well-being seriously. And I absolutely would make sure that she knew exactly how serious I was when the time was right.

“Time to go.” I handed her the change of clothes and lifted her off the couch. I loved the feeling of her in my arms, her body pressed against my chest. Even if she wasn’t injured, I would choose to carry her just like this.

“I can walk,” she protested, wiggling slightly.

“You said you would trust me. That means allowing me to care for you how I see fit. Right now, I want to carry you so that is what I am going to do.”

“Just because I agreed to—”

I pinched the back of her thigh, and she squeaked before clamping her mouth shut.

“No arguing,” I corrected as I headed out the door. “Where are your keys?”

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