Page 54 of Carter

I take a seat on the edge of our bed. Sasha moves to stand before me. Her lower lip is sticking out. She’s pouting. I fear she will stomp her foot and I will laugh.

I put on my serious face, taking my firm tone. But she’s adorable and I want to chuckle. I say, “Enough is enough.”

“It isn’t fair,” she says, but there is no stomp this time. “I know that sounds ridiculous. I just wanted to feel like I belonged before someone new made belonging look effortless.”

I shrug. “You shouldn’t have waited so long. You wanted the long engagement.”

She exhales. “This is crazy fast. But that’s Bronson’s decision, not evidence Paige has done something wrong.”

The admission costs her. I can see it.

I wait.

She looks at me. “I was threatened by her. I made that her problem. It wasn’t fair.”

“No,” I say. “It wasn’t.”

Her chin lifts. “I’ll fix it.”

“We’ve settled what you owe Paige. Now we’re going to settle what you owe this relationship.” I pat my thigh. “Come lie over my lap, baby girl.”

Her eyes widen. Her brows raise. What did she think was going to happen?

I guess she’s still adjusting to her new lifestyle.

I can help her with that.

“Act like this and you’ll find yourself over my lap with your bottom bared.” She doesn’t move. I raise one brow, high. I pat my thigh again. “Over, now. Or it’s the paddle.” She’s reading my face to see if I’m serious.

If I’ll do as I say.

I am. And I will.

What she sees in my features has her suddenly scurrying over beside me.

“There’s a good girl,” I say. She’s standing by my thigh. She’s biting her bottom lip. She’s tugging at her ponytail.

Adorable.

I want to grab her hips and hoist her over my lap. But I’m waiting for her submission. She gives me one long look and takes a deep breath. With trembling limbs, she lays herself over my waiting thighs.

There’s a welling in my chest. She’s finding her way.

I croon, “Good girl.” She settles her upper body on the bed. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her into me. I pull down the tight spandex, exposing her ass.

Damn sexy.

I decide to leave her thong on. I like the way it looks. She’s starting to squirm a bit. My cock grows hard beneath her belly. I rub her ass with the palm of my hand. Goosebumps rise on her flesh. Time to address the part that belongs between us. “I am not spanking you into liking Paige.” I raise my hand. Her cheeks clench in anticipation. I bring my opened palm down with a satisfying smack. She moans. Her hips wriggle. “This is for turning your fear into disrespect after I asked you to talk to me.”

“I know,” she says quietly.

“Do you?”

“Yes, sir. I was angry and I took it out on you.”

“Exactly.” I bring my hand down, hard, on the center of her bottom. “You are allowed to disagree with me.” Another swat lands on her right cheek, then her left. “You are allowed to tell me I’m wrong. You are not allowed to turn cruelty into a weapon because you feel threatened.”

She’s moaning, saying ow. Her hips wiggle as if she is trying to get away. She reaches a hand back to protect her rear. I instantly pin it to her lower back. “Naughty girl,” I say. “Does someone need the paddle?”