6
Owen
“You want me to do what?”
Amused by her obvious confusion, Owen tapped the book in front of her. “Color a picture for me.”
“But…why?”
“Well, for starters, because I asked you to.” A pretty blush crept into her cheeks at the gentle reminder that he was in charge, not her. “But also, because you might enjoy it.”
“I wasn’t aware this weekend was for my enjoyment.”
Ornery little thing. He’d thought she might be more inclined to obey with her bottom still sore and the taste of soap lingering in her mouth, but apparently he was wrong. “You are my little girl for the weekend. Which means you get to experience the fun parts as well as the punishments.”
She frowned at the paper and he would swear he could see the wheels turning in her mind. “What if I don’t want to color?”
“Then you don’t have to. Is there something else you’d rather do while I make dinner?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never done this before.”
“Well…what do you normally do to relax?”
The corners of her lips twitched, and there was a decided glint of mischief in her eyes. “I cook.”
“When you’re not cooking, brat.”
She sighed, but he got the impression it was more for show. “I dunno. Watch TV, argue with people online. Which I could do if you gave me my phone back.”
It took nearly all his willpower to not burst into laughter at her cheekiness. “You can have your phone back at the end of the weekend, as previously discussed. And arguing with people online isn’t a very productive use of your time or energy, anyway.”
“But coloring is?”
“Actually, yes. Even for adults, coloring has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve your focus, and other benefits. It’s been compared to meditation.”
“Oh. Huh. I just thought Littles liked to color because they’re, well, Little.”
“I’m sure that’s part of it. But plenty of adults who aren’t Little like to color as well. Why don’t you try it and if you absolutely hate it, you don’t have to do it again. Deal?”
It was obvious from the expression on her face she still had her doubts, but she nodded her agreement. “All right. I’ll try it.”
“Good girl. Let me know if you need anything.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a glass of wine.” It was obvious from her sardonic tone she wasn’t expecting him to allow it.
Amused by the idea of surprising her, he grinned. “Red or white?”
Her eyebrows practically flew up to her hairline. “Seriously? I assumed that would be a huge no-no.”
“If you were fully in Little space, I probably wouldn’t allow it. But you’re not and I don’t have any other punishments planned for you tonight, so I don’t see any reason you can’t enjoy a glass.”
“I don’t have a Little space.”
“Hypothetically speaking, of course.” Maybe she did, maybe she didn’t. But he was going to have fun finding out either way. “So, what will it be? Red or white?”
“White, please.”
“White it is, babygirl.”