Page 94 of Redline Baby

Because Daddy told me to think.

Unfortunately, thinking is clearly the real punishment.

Here is what I think about:

I knew exactly what Rule One was. I knew exactly why we had it. I knew exactly what I was doing when I got back in my car instead of walking into that elevator.

And then I hid it.

FAFO. Fuck around and find out.

I huff into the pillow. Very profound. Probably what my therapist would've said.

If I'd gone.

Fuck.

I last another few minutes.

"Daddy?"

The sound comes out louder than I intended.

Footsteps immediately.

The door opens wider and Soren leans in. "Everything okay, sweetheart?"

"I'm lonely." There. Humiliating.

"I know."

"Can you lie here with me, please?" My voice is small now. "I don't want to sleep. Please."

Soren crosses to the bed and crouches beside me, knees on the floor, forearms resting against the edge of the mattress. His face is level with mine. There is no coldness in it. No distance. Just warmth. And a boundary.

"No, darling."

My mouth turns down.

"This is still your punishment. You're supposed to stay here and think for a while."

"Please, Daddy."

I'm slipping deeper now. I recognize the feeling. Little space opening around me.

"I want you here."

"I know you do." His voice stays gentle. "But who's being punished? Me or you?"

I huff.

A tiny bit of amusement touches the corner of his mouth as he pets my hair.

"It's okay to be unhappy about the consequence."

"This is terrible."

"I know."