“Oh, you are. You need a deterrent for the next time you decide to put your life in danger.”
She held a hand up, even though he hadn’t made a move towards her. “Might I point out that you have no right to dictate what I do? Or to-to spank me.”
She didn’t know what to feel. Embarrassed. Horrified. Aroused. That last one terrified her more than anything else. Because she couldn’t help but feel curious about what it would feel like to be spanked by him. To be held over his knee, her ass bared while he slammed his hand down on her defenseless buttocks.
Okay, obviously she’d been living in this town too long if that thought aroused her.
“You know the rules of this town as well as I do,” he told her. “The women of this town are closely guarded and any infringement of the rules results in a trip over their husband’s knees.”
“You’re not my husband.”
“The unattached females are still held to the rules.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t give you the right to spank me! Jake’s in charge of enforcing the rules.” And she knew the sheriff certainly wouldn’t spank her. Although the scolding he could deliver might well make her wish for the spanking. Jake felt very protective over this town and its residents. Especially the women. He probably spanked his own wife when she disobeyed him. Although that didn’t seem to worry Molly. She clearly loved her husband.
“Well, Jake’s not here at the moment, is he? So I guess your misbehavior will need to be corrected by someone else.”
“I’m not a naughty schoolgirl.”
“No. You’re not. Although that scenario is always a very popular one at the club.”
“What? It is?” She had another vision. One of her in a short, pleated skirt and Saxon with a ruler in his hand.
Oh, fuck. She was so screwed up.
“Then it would fall to Duncan, wouldn’t it? Seeing as he’s in charge while Jake’s away.”
Saxon nodded his head. “Well, I can certainly go talk to him. Don’t think you’ll like his lecture any more than you would Jake’s. And I’m not convinced that a stern talking to is enough to curb your rebelliousness.”
“I am not rebellious!” If anything, she’d always been well-behaved. She’d never really broken any rules. Hadn’t dared to in case she found herself in trouble. As a child, she hadn’t wanted to bring the cops’ attention to her, or that of social services. As an adult, well, those fears hadn’t really changed. And, truth be told, the last thing she wanted was to be pulled into the sheriff’s office for a lecture.
But that didn’t mean she was going to let Saxon get away with thinking he was in charge of her. “Look, I brought you the pie as a peace offering. If you don’t want to accept it, we can go back to butting heads. But I am not your submissive. And you are not punishing me.”
He merely smiled. “We’ll see. Make sure you let me know about the job. And be careful driving home. You look exhausted.”
She shook her head in exasperation, torn between wanting to shake him . . . and wanting to do things to him that she really, really shouldn’t.
4
Enough was enough.
He walked into the diner, scowling at anyone who tried to approach him. He wasn’t in the mood for talk.
Three days. Three days had passed since he’d offered Aspen a job. Since he’d damn near taken responsibility for her. Shocked by how protective he felt over her, he’d decided some space was a good idea. He needed some perspective. She was nothing like the women he usually went for. But there was something about her that made it hard for him to stop thinking about her.
He was surprised she was avoiding him. And it annoyed him. He knew he was being a hypocrite. It was okay for him to stay away from her, but not for her to do the same?
No. It wasn’t.
He moved up to the counter of the diner, ignoring the scowl Logan Ferguson sent his way. Normally he’d delight in tormenting the other man. But, right now, he was on a mission.
“Saxon, what can I get for ya?” Peggy asked.
“Where’s Aspen?”
Peggy frowned slightly. “She’s sick today.”
Sick? Worry filled him. “Sick? What’s wrong with her?”