He spun around so quickly that she slipped forward. But that suited his purposes just fine. He dragged her onto his lap then grasped hold of her chin, forcing her to look up at him. He gave her a stern look.
“I have never thought you were stupid. And I hear you say that about yourself again, I’ll put you over my knee. I won’t tolerate you putting yourself down, Betsy. We’re gonna work on that confidence.”
She opened her mouth and looked like she was going to say something before she grimaced. “Rex called me stupid all the time. Said I didn’t have the brains to be anything more than a housewife and a fuck bunny and I wasn’t good at either of those.”
Damn. He wished that asshole was alive so he could damn well destroy him.
He pressed her face against his chest. He knew he needed to calm down. He should have waited to come for Betsy.
“That bastard got off on making you feel less than him. He could see your strength and he was scared of it. That’s why he battered at you constantly. To keep you down so he could feel big. But a real man doesn’t need to make others small. A real man knows that women are the stronger sex. And when he finds one who is tough and resilient yet sweet and kind, he knows he has fucking gold.”
Her breath hitched and he worried for a minute that she was crying. She latched her arms around his neck, holding on tight.
“What did I do to deserve you?”
“Brown eyes, you deserve far more than me.”
But he intended to wrap her up in him. His safety. His care. His dominance. That she didn’t know where she began and he ended.
Might be a sneaky, asshole move. But she’d be treated as the fucking queen she was. Or a princess when she needed to be.
He’d see to that.
* * *
Betsy walked into the warehouse where Ink lived, looking around in surprise. Ink had been careful to make sure they weren’t followed, taking a round-about way to get here. Only those in the Iron Shadows and who worked for him knew where he lived.
They’d parked his truck in the lower level, alongside a sexy Harley.
An elevator had taken them up to a huge, open area containing a big sectional in front of a television mounted to the wall at one end and a kitchen at the other end.
And not much more.
It was industrial, with exposed pipes and beams, huge ceilings and polished concrete floors. A spiral staircase went to an upstairs area.
“Is this your home?”
How did he heat it? It was a really awesome space but there was nothing that indicated he spent any time here. Not even dirty dishes in the kitchen.
“Yeah. What do you think?”
“It’s very nice.”
He turned his head and grinned at her. “You hate it.”
“I do not.”
“You can be honest, brown eyes. In fact, I insist on it.”
He was using that voice on her. The one that made her shiver. He eyed her. “Cold? I’m not here a lot and I don’t really feel the cold. It might take a while to heat up.” He moved to a pad by the elevator. She guessed he was turning up the heat.
She didn’t explain that it wasn’t the temperature that was making her shiver.
“Mama said if I can’t say anything nice, not to say anything at all.”
“We both know how I feel about Mama. And I don’t think she followed her own advice.”
No. She did not.
“And while that might be true with most people, when it comes to me, you’ll always tell the truth. Understand?”
“Yes, Daddy.” It slipped out. But he was using his stern, Daddy voice and she felt her Little pushing forward. She was also feeling a bit uncertain at all these changes.
He eyed her. “Just stay Big for me for a bit longer while I show you a few things, okay? Then you can spend as much time as you like in Little space.”
She wished she could. Life would be much simpler if she could be Little all the time and let Daddy make all the decisions.
“Brown eyes?”
“I’m okay,” she whispered. “Just nervous about what happens next.”
He moved closer and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, steadying her. “Well, first things first. You tell me what you really think about my pad.”
Oops.
“Then I’m going to show you the security I have installed in case you’re ever here alone.”
She’d be here alone? In this big place? Even though she’d spent the last ten years lonely, she’d never actually been alone.
“Don’t panic, brown eyes. I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Even though we’re at an agreement with Forrest, I don’t think we should ease up on the protection just yet.”
“He’s a lowlife, slime belly.”
His lips twitched. “He certainly is. You’ll stay here with me. Come to work with me. Until I’m certain you’re safe.”
“And then what?”
“Then we talk about what you want to do.”
She didn’t know. That was the problem.
“Easy. You don’t have to decide today.”
But she couldn’t stay with him indefinitely. And what about the boys? She had to take care of them.
“I have no money. I’ve never had a job. I can’t even…I’m scared…”
He drew her close, pressing her face to his chest. “Shit. Easy, brown eyes. Didn’t mean to make you panic. I’m gonna help you. You’re not on your own.”
But what if he wasn’t always around? What if he decided he didn’t want her anymore?
Forrest. The boys. Money. A place to live.
It all seemed overwhelming.
“Brown eyes, you’re killing me. I’m gonna need you to calm down. My emotions are on a hair trigger tonight and your fear and panic are making me want to track down Forrest and fucking destroy him.”
“Sorry. I’m sorry. It’s just a lot.”
“I know, brown eyes. But I promise you, I’m here.”
She had to stop thinking about when he would leave. Live in the moment. Otherwise she was going to twist herself up into knots.
When she calmed down, she drew back to look up at him. “Sorry. I’m all right.”
His gaze roamed over her. “You’re better than all right. Come on, I’ll show you where your room is. You hungry?”
Hungry? No. When was she ever hungry?
And her room? Did that mean she wasn’t sleeping with him?
A few minutes later she stared down at a gray coverlet on a double bed. It had just one pillow, no headboard and the room was bare except for a wardrobe door.
It was barren.
And kind of frightening.
Her Little hated it.
“I know it’s not much. Tomorrow you can go online and order some things to decorate it how you want.”
“It’s fine. I don’t need anything.” Last thing she wanted was him spending more money on her. She’d cost him so much already.
He narrowed his gaze at her. “I’m not gonna like what’s in your head right now, am I?”
“Likely not,” she said cheerily, remembering his insistence on honesty.
“Betsy.”
She sighed. “I don’t want you spending money on me. You’ve done enough.”
“I say when I’ve done enough,” he growled at her. “And I say that you’re going to buy what you want to make this room seem less like a punishment and more like somewhere you can feel at home.”
Except it wasn’t her home. And she didn’t want to sleep in here.
She wanted to sleep with him.
It was so frustrating. There was so little about her life that felt settled. But there was one thing she knew that she wanted.
Ink.
She’d almost asked him to spank her earlier. Like Sunny suggested. But it hadn’t felt like the right time.
But perhaps she should.
She liked it when he was pushy and bossy and dominant.
She needed it.
Everythin
g else was so uncertain and she needed Ink to be Ink. And for him to still want her. She didn’t know what she would do if he decided he didn’t.
He’d set her small duffel bag on the end of the bed. “Why don’t you unpack and get settled? It’s getting late and you need some sleep.” He frowned down at her bag. “You also need to order yourself some clothes.”
She didn’t much care what she wore. “Where’s your bedroom?”
“Just down the corridor.” They were upstairs. “Your bathroom is across the hall. If you need me just yell out.”
She nodded. “O-okay.”
He clasped hold of her face between his hands. “Things are going to be all right, Betsy.”
Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. “Good girl.”
Then he was gone.
Shit.
23
Betsy was so frustrated.
And she was tired. Exhausted. She couldn’t sleep, stuck in that barren room. Even though Ink had given her his credit card and ordered her to buy some things to make the room more her own, she hadn’t done it yet.
Surprisingly, he hadn’t checked that she had.
But she knew he was stressed. He didn’t look like he was sleeping either. They hadn’t found the boys yet. She could only hope they were on their way here and would arrive safely.
She wanted to ease his stress. And her own. It had been a few days since he’d met with Forrest and they were still both on edge. She had an idea how to ease it. If she was brave enough.
You should just ask for what you need instead of acting like the brat.
Unfortunately, that took more bravery than she had.
“Betsy, come eat some dinner.” Dinner was pizza they’d ordered in since Ink didn’t actually have food in his huge fridge. All his kitchen held was coffee, creamer and some breakfast sandwiches in the freezer.
“No, thanks.”
Well, that’s a good start to being bratty, Betsy. Use your manners.
“Betsy, you need to eat. You can’t skip a meal.”
Hack had called this morning with her blood results. Now she had to take iron tablets and a multivitamin. And neither were the fun, gummy kind. No, they were huge and left her with a funny aftertaste.
“Not hungry. Thanks.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion,” he growled.
Oh hell. A full-body shiver ran over her. That voice. Dominant. Stern. She wanted to do as she was told.
Stay the course, Betsy.
She ignored him. She had a magazine she’d found in reception that day and was trying to do the crossword. It was years out of date. Ink obviously didn’t believe in making people feel comfortable as they waited for appointments. He’d also had Stone manning the front desk today, so no doubt he’d scared off every client that came in.
A pair of legs appeared on the other side of the coffee table from where she sat on the hard, cold floor. He could really use some rugs. And cushions. And art work.
And food.
“Betsy, are you ignoring me?”
“Hmm?” She looked up. “Oh no, I’m just not hungry.”
“You need to eat.”
“I know. I just don’t wanna.”
“You just don’t…wanna?” His voice was a low, deep rumble.
Her insides tensed. She was prodding the beast and even though she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, it went against the grain to push him like this.
She was going to be in so much trouble if he found out she was doing this deliberately.
Who are you kidding, Betsy? Of course he’ll find out.
He hadn’t punished her for anything lately, not even after promising her a spanking for returning to Forrest’s house.
“Nope.” She looked down at the crossword. Of course she couldn’t make out any of the words, she was waiting for him to react.
He crouched down and pulled the magazine away from her.
“Hey! I was doing that.”
“No, what you are doing is acting up and I want to know why.”
“I’m just not hungry.”
He studied her with narrowed eyes. She braced herself. Then he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. When he opened them, he gave her a small smile. “I know I haven’t had much time to spend with you. I’m sorry you have to come to the office with me. Get that it’s boring as hell. Why don’t you order some activity books or something to do? You’ve got my credit card.”
She gaped at him.
He stood. “Come eat, brown eyes.” He held out his hand.
She slid her hand into his and he helped her stand. Then he strode back to the kitchen.
“That’s it?”
He turned back. God, he looked exhausted.
You should back off. Last thing he needs is to deal with your issues.
She almost did. Almost pushed everything back and just let him be.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re going to be…to be understanding?”
“You don’t want me to be understanding?” He looked bewildered.
“No. Yes. I don’t know.”
“Betsy. What’s going on?”
“You want me to be honest, right?”
“Yes. What is it? You don’t like pizza?” he asked.
“No, I like pizza. I…I don’t like you.”
His head reared back. “What?”
“Shoot. That came out wrong. I like you. That’s the problem. I like you a lot. And you…you said all this stuff about getting to know each other but I already know you. And I know I deceived you and I feel really bad about that and so you might not trust me or feel you don’t know me. But back in the club, that was me! I went there because I was forced to in the beginning, but then it became the one thing in my life I had to look forward to. Seeing you was the highlight of my week. Discovering my Little side, being with you, it was the only time I wasn’t scared or worried. Not because of my Little, but because of you! So I don’t need time, Ink. I don’t need space. And I definitely don’t need my own damn bedroom.”
She gasped in a breath after spewing all that out.
He was gaping at her.
Way to act like a crazy person, Betsy.
Right. If he didn’t want her, it was going to come out now. She braced herself. He stormed towards her, wrapped his hand around the back of her neck then kissed her.
It was hot. It was possessive. It melted her.
When he drew back, they were both breathing heavily.
“Damn you’re hot. I want you so fucking bad.”
“Oh. That’s nice.”
“It’s not going to be nice, Betsy. When I get you in my bed, and after that little speech, that’s gonna be about ten minutes from now, it’s gonna be dirty, hard and hot. You’re gonna come so many times, you won’t even know your own name and then I’ll start all over again. I’m gonna eat that pussy until you won’t remember a time that my tongue wasn’t buried inside you. I’m going to fuck you. I’m going to own you. Got me?”
“Got you,” she whispered.
“I’m not like your mother or your husband or Forrest. I don’t want to keep you down, Betsy. I want to put you on a pedestal. I don’t want someone perfect. I won’t ever use you or hurt you. Out there,” he nodded towards the outside, “everyone will see you for what you are. My fucking Queen.” He clasped hold of her hips, pressing her close to him. Danger was a cloak around him that made it hard for her to breathe.
Yep, she really had awakened the beast.
Now she had to deal with him.
“But in here, Betsy. You. Are. Mine. Got me?”
“Got you,” she breathed.
“That what you want?”
“Yes.”
“Once you commit, there’s no going back,” he warned
“I want it. I want you. I’m certain.”
He moved one hand back up to the back of her neck. “Your ass is gonna be red for keeping this from me.”
“I know.” Her breath came faster.
&nbs
p; “And for acting like a brat to get a reaction for me.”
“I figured.”
“Also gonna spank you for scaring me and going back to his house.”
“Okay.” Shoot. She’d really racked up the punishments.
“You’re not going to be sitting comfortably tomorrow,” he murmured. “You also need Little time.”
She did. Desperately.
Using his other hand, he brushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. “Unfortunately, we don’t have much time at the moment. When this is all over, you and I are going on vacation. A quiet cabin on the lake. No interruptions. Lots of button and Daddy time. As well as Ink and Betsy time.”
“Sounds amazing.”
He ran a finger down her cheek then over her lips. “But since we don’t have much time and it’s still something you need, we’ll have to see about getting you Little time while we’re at work.”
She stiffened. She couldn’t. Could she?
“People will see.”
“You don’t have to do anything in front of others you’re not comfortable with. But when I’m not with clients, you could spend time in Little space. We’ll get you a backpack, fill it with coloring books and toys. If you didn’t order the right stuff already, you can do it tomorrow. I like that idea. Might help me de-stress as well.”
Then she’d do it. Although she wasn’t going to tell him she hadn’t ordered anything yet.
“It will help you stop worrying,” he muttered.
God, she hoped so. All her worries were piling on top of her. Fear for the boys and what they might be getting up to. As far as she knew, they didn’t even have cell phones. And even if they did, how would they know how to call her or find her? What Forrest was plotting. Her future. Ink.
“But right now, I do believe I promised to make you come.”
“Lots,” she added.
He grinned. “Lots. Not sure you know what you’ve done, Betsy. It’s been a strain, trying to be damn well considerate and give you space. You sure you can deal with the possessive beast you’ve unleashed?”
She licked her lips. “Yes.”
Wicked heat entered his gaze. “Sure fucking hope so. Because the boss is back, baby. And since I’ve had to cage him, he’s feeling particularly grumpy. You’re gonna have to soothe him.”
Hero Daddy Page 23
