“I never drink that much.”
“I beg to differ. I’ve seen you drink a fair amount in the last few months.” She heard him move around the kitchen. He placed a cup of water and two aspirins next to her. “Take them. It will help with the pain.”
He walked off and then came back with a coffee and a plate of pancakes. “These will also help you.”
William placed the pancakes in front of her. There were four in the pile, and he poured syrup all over them. “Trust me, they’re good.” He took the seat next to her licking his fingers. She took the aspirin and then picked up her fork.
Daisy couldn’t stop staring at his chest. She hadn’t seen him naked before, and the guy looked like a god. He didn’t have any chest hair, and he was smooth to the touch. She wondered if he had his body waxed like she’d seen on a documentary.
“No, I don’t,” he said.
She stared up at him. His gaze was on the paper. “What?” she asked.
“I don’t wax. I’ve never had the problem of body hair. Some men have a problem with that. I don’t.”
“How did you know what I was thinking?” she asked.
“You’re an open book, Daisy. I know what you’re thinking from little signs you give away.”
She cut off another piece of pancake and put it in her mouth. What else did he know?
“I know a great deal. I know you enjoyed your punishment last night and you’re confused about how you feel. I also know that you don’t know why I call you pet. I’ve not got the best BDSM club around for my good looks, honey. I know what I’m doing.”
“You do background checks, and you know people.”
“I also have a great tool called observation and a knack for knowing a submissive when I see one.” He put the paper down and gave her all of his attention. “And you, sweet Daisy, are a submissive.”
Daisy put the fork down. Her appetite was gone. “I think I need to get home. I’ve got work in an hour.”
“I called in for you. I let them know you’re too sick to work today and will be resting.”
“What?” she asked.
“They were more than happy to oblige, Daisy.”
“They can fire me, William. That is the only job I’m good at,” she said.
“No, you’re not, Daisy. You’re an intelligent young woman. You could easily have gone to college. Why didn’t you?”
He was bombarding her with too many questions. She stared at the table, at the food, and tried to think past the panic. William leaned over and caught her hand inside his. “Look at me, Daisy.”
She gazed up into his eyes.
“I’ve got you. I’m not letting you go.”
All her life she’d been in control. Why
was she struggling to keep herself in check?
“That is for you to find out, Daisy. I’m here, and I need you to talk to me. Do you remember last night? You said we could talk. You agreed to it.”
“I know.” Her hands were caught in his. She gave a tug on her hands, but he didn’t let go. Daisy took a breath and began to answer his questions. “My mother refused to sign the forms I needed and offer support. I couldn’t go to college when she took that away. A woman doesn’t need college. That’s what she’d told me in a lot more words.”
She heard him curse. “I hate this town.”
“I’m sorry,” she said.
He pulled her off her seat and into his lap. William cupped her face forcing her to look at him. “I hate this town, Daisy. I never said I hated you. You’re not the reason I hate this town.”