“Oh,” she said, realizing I was waiting for her to make the first move.
Following her into the living room, I noticed she took quiet, catlike steps that were similar to her personality. I didn’t need to see her angry to know she had sharp claws.
She wore dark jeans and a navy T-shirt today. This clothing situation would need to be rectified because I needed her in something other than jeans.
When she stepped into the living room, she didn’t take her seat until after I’d taken mine. Like the first day we’d met, she put about a mile of space between us that wasn’t going to be there long.
“It’s time to address the elephant in the room, Doc.”
My body leaned in before I scooted closer, ensuring I didn’t leave her room to run. Once I had her trapped between me and the thick arm of the couch, I proceeded.
“I need you to be my submissive, Doc. Have you made a decision?”
Her chest rose on a deep breath before she placed her hands on her lap and lifted her gaze to meet mine.
“I’ve thought about it, and I’ve decided to decline your request. I don’t want to be your sub.”
My face pinched into a tight frown, my brain replaying her words for me to listen to again.
“Humm,” buzzed past my lips. This was a fucking first. My frown turned into a squint of confusion as I absorbed the devastating blow she’d delivered.
She’d soaked my fucking ego in gas and called it a bitch before she tossed a fucking flare at it. Regina was the first woman I’d asked to be my submissive and the only one who’d turned me down. She said no, echoed through my brain, knocking around in my head like sucker punches.
I sat staring into the open space of my living room, processing her rejection, awed by it.
My paused silence made her nervous. Good.
She fidgeted, rubbing her hands up and down her legs while snatching quick glances at me.
I was done talking. I was done asking. I didn’t say a damn thing more. My apartment had never been so silent.
I reached onto the coffee table and picked up the remote. The low tunes of Joe spilled from the speakers and stirred the silence with a relaxing harmony, singing a question I wanted Regina to answer. I wanted to know what turned her on, and I intended to find out. I’d turned the music on for her peace of mind because my mind was all out of peace.
I stood, marched my ass to my closet, and retrieved the doctor. I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to introduce her to him this soon, but Regina was determined to make things hard for herself. Eventually, she’d learn that I didn’t like the word no, especially when it came from her mouth.
Her wide eyes froze as her fingers dug deeper into her arms that she’d folded across her chest. Her right leg bounced, the pace increasing as I grew closer.
The big black lacquered paddle in my hand had her full attention. Her eyes darted back and forth between it and me. The name Dr. Pepper was painted in white letters across the thick black handle. I’d had it made especially for Regina.
Without uttering a word, I positioned myself in the middle of the couch and sat the paddle against my thigh and away from her line of sight. Regina’s gaze fell to my approaching hand as I reached toward hers. She jumped when my hand wrapped around her wrist and closed as I tightened my grip, feeling the light tremble of her warm skin.
“What…what are you doing?” she questioned. Her eyes glistened with surprise, but there was also curiosity staring back at me.
Remaining in the center of the couch, I urged Regina along, tugging her closer. Tension surfaced in her body, but she poured little effort into resisting me.
“Ansel, what are you doing?” she questioned again, her voice elevating an octave as her wide eyes punctuated the question.
“I’m about to punish you for telling me no. Then, I’m going to convince you to change your answer,” I stated matter-of-factly.
My words caused her plush lips to fall apart as I continued to inch her closer.
“You can’t punish me for saying no,” she replied.
“The hell I can’t.”