She sighed and followed him, knowing she wouldn’t win any argument once he’d made up his mind. She wasn’t the only stubborn one around here.
&
nbsp; He strode down to her bedroom. When they walked inside, she gave a little gasp of surprise. There, sitting on her bed, where Kiki usually resided was the bunny from the gift shop.
“How did you know?” She whirled towards him. He’d set her bag on the chair in the corner and unzipped it. He turned with a smile.
“The lady in the gift shop. After you collapsed, I went in there to thank her. And she told me you’d been admiring the bunny.”
“So, you bought it? For me?”
“Well, it’s not for me,” he teased.
“But. . .but. . .you shouldn’t have.”
“Why not?”
“You shouldn’t spend your money on me!”
“Gigi, it’s a gift. I want you to have it. I wouldn’t have bought it for you if I didn’t.” He walked over and ran a finger down her cheek.
“Nobody has ever bought me something just because,” she told him, bewildered by his gesture.
“Well, that’s a shame. You could use a little spoiling.”
Her cheeks blushed red and she dropped her face, staring down at her feet. She dug her toes into the carpet. “I don’t deserve it, though.”
He reached out and grasped hold of her chin, tilting her face up. “Why would that be?”
“I disobeyed you. I was. . .naughty.”
“Are you feeling guilty about that?”
She nodded.
“You apologized. I told you that you were forgiven.”
“I know, but I still don’t deserve the bunny.” She sniffled, feeling sad. She really wanted the stuffed toy. Desperately.
“Baby, if I thought you didn’t deserve him then I wouldn’t have bought him for you. He’s yours.”
Tears dripped down her face.
“Hey, now.” Concern flooded his face and he sat on the edge of the bed and settled her onto his lap. He held her in his strong, warm arms as she sobbed into his chest.
“Baby, stop. You’re going to make yourself sick.”
“S-sorry. I’m being silly.”
“Your feelings aren’t silly.” He rubbed his hand up and down her back. “What can I do to help?”
And the truth was, there was only one thing she thought might help. She straightened, and wiped her cheeks.
“I think you should spank me.”
Um. What?
Did he really just hear those words?