Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
It was possibly the first time in my life that I wanted to put more clothes on a beautiful woman. “Are you cold?”
“Why is your air conditioning on full blast?” she snapped.
“Because I knew there would be a blazing hottie in here later.” I gave her a ribbing nudge with my elbow.
She laughed through her tears. “Oh my god, that’s awful. You’re awful. I don’t know why I came back here.”
“Because you’re madly in love with me. And I know that scares you to death. But I’m not going anywhere.” I took her hand and brought it to my lips. “And I hope you’re not, either.”
“I’m not,” she said, sniffling. “I promise.”
“Good.” I slapped my palms on my knees and grabbed my cane to help me push myself up. “Come with me.”
“Okay,” she said warily.
We walked to the elevator in silence. I didn’t want to make her feel worse than she already did, but I also felt like a few moments of uncertainty and discomfort were a small price to pay for taking off like she had. We rode up to my bedroom. As we passed our closets, I remarked, “Your clothes missed you.”
That got a laugh out of her, and God, did I ever love to make her laugh. I couldn’t help myself. “Maybe you should put some more on, so you don’t freeze to death.”
“I don’t think you’re bringing me to your bedroom to make me put more clothes on.” She batted her eyes at me and for a moment it felt like she’d never left me in emotional limbo.
But she had, damn it.
“Actually, I’m bringing you up here for a two-part apology.” I led the way into the bedroom and headed straight for the tablet on my bedside table.
“You’re not the one who should be apologizing,” she said, lingering near the door.
“I’m not apologizing. You are.” I opened the cover of the tablet’s case and pulled the stylus free. “I came up with this last night. It’s a contract.”
“A contract?” Her brow wrinkled and she headed over to me, peering over my arm at the screen. “Like, a sexy BDSM contract?”
“No. Like an if-you-want-me-to-trust-you-again-you’ll-sign-this contract.” I scrolled to the top of the document. “I drew this up. It’s running through legitimate document signing software. You’ll read it, initial every page, sign the bottom, and put your email address in so you can receive a copy.”
“Are you…” She took the tablet from me. “Oh my god, you’re not kidding.”
“No, I am not.”
She read aloud, “‘…referred to as the participant,’ Matt, what the hell is this?”
“It’s a contract, outlining the terms of me continuing a relationship with you.” I was pretty proud of myself for figuring it out.
“‘The participant agrees that she will receive psychological treatment from a licensed therapist, frequency to be determined by the aforementioned therapist.’ This is truly bizarre.” She flicked her finger across the screen. “‘The participant agrees that she won’t hide complicated feelings from her boyfriend?’”
“Initial at the bottom of the page,” I instructed.
She looked up from the screen. “This gets specific. I mean, there’s stuff in here about what flavor of Skittles I’m supposed to buy you.”
“That was a trick, to make sure you read the whole thing. I don’t like Skittles.” I tapped the underside of the tablet. “There’s nothing in here that you haven’t already promised to me. You’re going to get therapy, you’re not going to run off at a moment’s notice, you agree to talk to me—”
“I don’t think this is legally enforceable.” She arched a doubtful brow.
“Does it have to be?” I folded my arms over my chest and nodded at the tablet. “I signed some pretty hefty paperwork for you, didn’t I?”
The corner of her mouth quirked, and she shook her head fondly. “You’re right. I don’t plan to ‘be weird about spending her boyfriend’s money,’ anyway.” She looked up as she scribbled the stylus across the screen. “Thirty billion?”
“Or more.”
She snorted. “You might as well be a cartoon character.”
“That’s not nice. And I’m pretty sure that’s covered by the ‘not being weird’ clause.” I took the tablet from her and put it on my nightstand, then sat on the edge of the bed. “Now, part two.”
“What’s part two?”
I patted my lap.
A slow smile spread across her mouth as she sauntered toward me. It faded when she tried to sit on my lap and instead, I said, “Drop ‘em.”
She frowned. “Excuse me?”
“Take your shorts off and get over my lap.”
“You’re going to spank me as punishment and not as a sex thing?” She was incredulous but wriggled her shorts down anyway.
“I assure you; it’s going to be a sex thing.” I shot my hand out and grabbed her ass cheek, sinking my fingers in hard. “Panties, too.”
“Yes, my dragon.” She giggled and slid them down.
“Standard rules and signals apply.” I pulled her over my lap and helped her position her upper body on the bed for support. “Time for a story.”