She relaxed into his embrace, letting his strength wrap around her. The sense of safety was overwhelming.
“I might not be good at any sort of emotional shit, but I do protect what belongs to me with everything I have.”
She believed him.
But at the same time, she worried he was out of his depth with her stalker.
“What if you get hurt, though? I couldn’t bear if that happened. Especially if it was because of me.”
He drew back, cupping the side of her face. “I’m not going to get hurt.”
“You don’t know . . . this guy, he escalated so quickly. It’s terrifying. I never thought he’d follow me here, let alone try to kill me. How did he even find me?” She coughed hoarsely.
“That’s something we need to work out,” he said grimly. “But right now, the first thing we need to do is take care of your health. That’s number one. Then we’ll discuss everything else. Here, drink some water.”
She wrinkled her nose. “No more. Don’t like water.”
“It’s good for you.”
“Still doesn’t change the taste. Juice? Chocolate milk?”
“Nope. Water.” He gave her a stern look. “Drink. If you’re a good girl, you’ll get a reward.”
“And if I’m not a good girl?” What was she doing? But the way he spoke . . . was it possible he was a Daddy Dom?
“If you’re a naughty girl, then you get punished.”
She dropped her lower lip out. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“You shouldn’t. It’s punishment.”
“How . . . how would I be punished? Would you . . . would you leave? Stop talking to me? Not want to be around me anymore?”
Just the idea of that made her breath come in sharp pants. She couldn’t stand the idea of not having him around. Of him pulling back from her.
“Whoa. Whoa, baby. That’s not ever happening. Ever. Get me? Look into my eyes. That’s it. Now, hear me. I am going nowhere. If anything, you’re going to have the opposite problem. You’re not getting any space from me. At least not until I figure out what’s going on. If I can’t be with you, someone I trust will be. But there aren’t many people I trust, so get used to me being on your ass twenty-four-seven. I’m sorry, little girl, but for you, privacy just because a thing of the past.”
She gaped up at him, then cleared her throat. “Right. Okay.”
That was a lot.
And yet, at the same time, it was what she wanted. At least right now.
“So what would the punishment be?” she asked as she took a sip of water.
He shrugged his large shoulders. “I’m rather fond of spankings. If this wasn’t a matter of health, I might be hoping you would disobey me so I got to spank that gorgeous ass of yours.”
And there went the water she’d taken a sip of.
All. Over. His. Face.
Gray stared down at her.
She gaped up at him.
“You know . . . I should have known better than saying that while you were drinking.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said hastily. “Let me clean you up.”