Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have woken you up. How many times did you wake up last night?”
Five… but who was counting?
The sleep fairy hadn’t done her job. That was a disappointment.
At least she’d only woken Marcus up once. One night soon after the robbery, she’d woken him up three times with her nightmares. But when she’d offered to sleep on the couch, he’d told her to stop talking crazy.
“Not many,” she replied.
“Yeah, why don’t I believe you?”
“You’re still okay with… with everything?” she asked. “With Eliot?”
Marcus kissed the top of her head. “I am. Are you?”
“Nervous. But also kind of excited.”
“Well, you better get out of bed so you’re ready for when he gets here.” Marcus rolled her over and smacked her ass. “Come on, lazy butt! Let’s go! Fun times ahead!” He bounded out of bed, and she sighed quietly.
Lord, she hoped he didn’t get badly hurt at the end of all this.
Eliot hadn’t felt this nervous in… well, forever.
He knocked on the door to their suite. He was slightly early. He’d just spoken to Derek about their arrangement. He didn’t need his permission, but he wanted everyone to know that the two of them were his.
Damn, he liked that.
The door flung open, and he stared down at a flustered-looking Isla.
Crap.
Start as you mean to go on . . .
But he didn’t want to go too hard and scare her. Or too soft and allow her to think that his orders could be disobeyed without consequence.
“Good morning,” she whispered.
“Good morning, little one. How did you sleep?”
“All right.”
Hmm. He wasn’t buying that. She appeared more tired than she had been last night.
“May I come in?”
“Oh. Of course, sorry!” He stepped into the room, and she shut the door behind him.
“Marcus is just in the bathroom. Do you want to sit? I could get you a drink or something?” she asked nervously.
“Actually, what I would like is for you to explain why you didn’t ask who was at the door?”
She gaped up at him, then over to the door. “I didn’t?”
“No, little one. You didn’t.”
“Oops.”
“It’s a bit more than an oops. It’s a safety matter. Even though the Ranch is a safe place, you still didn’t know who was on the other side of the door. And you knew that I expect you to ask who it is first.”
“But I figured it would be you.”
“That doesn’t matter. You ask every time. Without fail. Understand?”
“Yes, Sir. Are you going to punish me?”
“Do you think I need to?” It was a question that could backfire on him. But she needed time to build trust in him. And he wasn’t willing to push her too hard, too fast.
She frowned slightly. “You punished Marcus when he didn’t listen last night. And that wasn’t even about safety.”
“I did. But I also know he has more experience than you do. And I don’t want you to be scared of me.”
Her eyes widened. “I’m a bit cautious, but I’m not scared. And I suppose if I break the rules, I should get a punishment.” She appeared shocked, as though she couldn’t believe she’d said that.
“All right. Five minutes in the corner, thinking about your actions. Then later on this afternoon, before your nap, you’re to write fifty lines.”
She simply stared at him, so he took her hand in his. She felt so delicate. He led her to the corner. “Hands are to be behind your back unless I say otherwise. Feet apart, bottom out slightly. Good girl.”
A small shiver ran through her at his words.
She liked hearing that she was a good girl. It was something she’d never had growing up.
Praise.
“Five minutes. No turning away or speaking, unless it’s to say your safeword, understand? That can be said at any time.”
“Yes, Sir.” She wasn’t sure why she’d feel the need to say her safeword. It was just corner time.
But as he moved away, she realized she felt lonely. Embarrassment had her cheeks going hot. Why hadn’t she thought to ask who was at the door?
Idiot.
Where was Eliot? Was he watching? Or had he left her? Was she on her own?
“Isla? Are you all right?” He returned, his hand resting on the small of her back.
“Oh, yes.”
Not really.
But she was better now that he was touching her.
“You were trembling. If corner time scares you, then use your safeword. You won’t get told off. And there’s no extra punishment or shame in it. And I’m right here to support you, no matter what.”
“You won’t go anywhere?”
“I will not.” The words were rock solid. Just like him. And her anxiety lessened.
“I’m all right now.”
“That’s my girl.”
He moved away again, but she felt more centered this time. He was there. He wasn’t going anywhere.
“Whoa, what’s going on? Isla?”
“She’s in timeout,” Eliot replied. “No talking to her or distracting her until the five minutes are up or you’ll be joining her.”