“I would never. And I’m sorry about earlier,” he said, scrubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “I overstepped my bounds with the remarks about your clothes.”
She shrugged.
“Yeah, but I liked it? And you… I don’t know. I feel like my middle is just lurking beneath the surface when you’re around, like she knows you’re waiting for her. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been so mouthy to you at the café. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s fine if you wanted to punish me for my clothes today but in the future I want to be on the same page about what kind of headspace I’m in and when.”
“That is perfectly reasonable and I’m happy to oblige. While we’re setting limits, I’d ask that during services you be on your best behavior. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy playing then but it wouldn’t be fair to my congregation. Both because I would be utterly distracted by you and also it crosses the line in bystanders being involved in a scene without consent.”
She nodded, and he loved how seriously she was taking this, even as she had teased and tormented him mercilessly at the café. This wasn’t a game to her right now, but hopefully it would be shortly.
“I totally get it. I wouldn’t want to compromise your job, ever. And I guess you should know I can be bratty. Iwillswear. It’s just going to happen. I don’t mind if you punish me for it, but I want that understood and not a habit you’re actually dead set on breaking me of.”
A thrill ran through him, thinking about scolding, lecturing, spanking her for her foul language and being able to do so in perpetuity. “I will be delighted to discipline you for your filthy mouth.”