Page 31 of Daddy's Reckoning

My breath hitched and my pulse raced. It was the normal reaction I’d always had when that case came out, but this time there was a jolt of anger attached to the zing of need that shot to my pussy.

He carefully sorted through the implements, inspecting each one and setting several aside. A small pile formed on the floor beside him. A small, thin delrin cane, a thin paddle; the smallest he had. A couple of wooden spoons. A flogger. A butt plug. Nipple clamps.

Finally, he zipped up the case and stood to put it back on the top shelf of his closet, minus the small pile of items he’d extracted. When he bent to scoop them up, stalking toward his still-open suitcase I scoffed.

“You won’t need those.”

He tossed a sardonic grin over his shoulder. His devilish smile always made me melt, but I wasn’t going to be falling for it this time. “You never know,” he retorted softly.

But I did know. I knew that there was no way I was going to give in. I had to keep space. Theo was the father of the baby growing inside me. Nothing more. We both needed to remember that, and if he wasn’t going to, I’d have to remember for the both of us.

“Planning on playing with someone at the club?” Even as I said it, the idea made jealousy bubble in my stomach. I felt like I was going to throw up.

It’s just heartburn.

Lies. I knew better.

Theo apparently knew better, too, because he didn’t even dignify my question with a response.

He went to the nightstand next. A handful of condoms and a bottle of lube got tucked into a side pocket.

Then he froze, looking up at me with a curious smile. “I guess that’s a bit unnecessary at this juncture, isn’t it?”

I just turned my head away. I didn’t want to let him see how much his actions were affecting me. I couldn’t give an inch, because he was a smart businessman and that could be applied to our relationship, too. He’d take a mile if I gave in even the slightest bit.

“You don’t need any of that,” I humphed.

My cold denial was apparently enough to break through his carefree façade. He stepped sideways until he was in front of me, and took my chin between his fingers. “You can keep saying that, but it doesn’t make it true. By my count, you have been a very naughty girl.”

My lips parted at the softness of his touch, the dominance in his stare, the finality in his words. Damn. I swallowed, and immediately grew angry at myself for reacting the way I was. I opened my mouth to remind him that our contract had expired, but I couldn't bring myself to say the words and he spoke before I could.

“Little one, Daddy isn’t going to let you get away with failing a class without a punishment. Our plans were cut short by…” He paused, his eyes glazing over as he seemed to recall the events of last week. “...By circumstances, but as soon as I’m sure it’s safe, we will be dealing with that.”

I wanted to argue that it wasn’t safe, it wasn’t worth the risk, but the damn pregnancy hormones had me all over the place, and the memory of Theo’s punishing hands turning my bottom red as I laid over his lap was doing funny things to my insides.

Before I could speak, he continued.

“There’s also the little matter of you lying to Daddy.”

“I didn’t lie!” I protested quickly, though it occurred to me that I must have, because I knew exactly what he was talking about.

He shrugged, his eyes glinting with an evil mischief. It was a look I was all-too familiar with. “It was a lie by omission.”

My stomach clenched the way it always did when I was in trouble. And I knew I could fight him and probably win, but I wasn’t sure I really wanted to. Instead, I changed the subject.

“I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“What? Being punished for your naughties? Oh, little one, I think you know it’s a very good idea.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not that… this.” I waved my hand at his suitcases. “The house… it's a very nice gesture, Theo, but you know I already have a place. You could have just let me go home if you wanted to sleep in your own bed.”

“Oh, this again?” He rolled his eyes. “Tell me, do you have room in your place for a baby? How does your roommate feel about sharing their space with an infant? Will your portion of the rent go up since you are now going to be two people?”

I glared at him. He was making good points, but I wasn’t ready to admit that. I shrugged, but said nothing.

Theo smirked. “That’s what I thought.”

“I can’t leave her in a lurch. I need to continue to pay rent until she can at least find a new roommate. And it makes no sense for me to pay for a room I’m not living in.” I could tell my arguments were falling on deaf ears, even though they made perfect sense to me. “Besides, what if it doesn’t work out? Then I’ll have given up my place and be pregnant with no place to live.”