She’s almost twenty-one.It’s totally reasonable that she’d want to spend this milestone birthday at bars with her friends.I get it.
But it’s not happening.
I’m fucking greedy.
It’s not Madison I don’t trust.It’s everyone else she might encounter.Guys her age are assholes.They wouldn’t think twice about taking advantage of her.
The thought of her drunk makes my skin crawl.She was lucky last weekend.She might not be as lucky the next time.
But there won’t be a next time.
I’m bossy and overbearing and dominant and overprotective and selfish and all the other synonyms for asshole.But she’s still not going out with Kelsey, and she’s sure as fuck not going to Edge without me.The idea that she could sneak out is laughable.
What I’m worried about is that she’s going to be so resentful that she won’t enjoy what I have planned.Why would she?She isn’t the sort of woman who cares about nails, hair, clothes, and expensive dinners.Doesn’t matter that I’m fucking rich—so is her dad.Doesn’t matter that she grew up with everything money could buy.She isn’t pretentious or impressed by grand gestures.
So I’m concerned.
I drag myself up the stairs.Tomorrow, we need to have a discussion about this.I don’t want us to have to tiptoe around each other.I don’t want to have a fight, but it’s inevitable.It might make or break us, too.If she’s mad enough with me for what she perceives as me ruining her birthday, she might decide she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me.
I can’t actually tell her she can’t go out.I can say the words, but I can’t force her.In the end, if she’s defiant enough and wants to walk out the door and get in Kelsey’s car and go out, I can’t stop her.
One thing I have going for me is that Madison’s car has still not been found.It’s probably long gone.I wish she had gotten a tracking device for it, especially after it was stolen the first time, but she didn’t, and now she needs a new car.
I’ll deal with that later.I’ll buy her whatever fucking car she wants.Maybe I should buy her something and give it to her for her birthday.
Except that’s a horrible idea.Material gifts don’t impress her.I’ve already established that.We’ll deal with her needing a car later.Right now, I like driving her to school and picking her up.
I could get her a driver, but I suspect she would balk at the suggestion.I’m not a very materialistic guy myself.I have my toys, especially my Lamborghini, but I don’t have a cook or a driver.I don’t like people in my space.I don’t even have a mansion because this house is the perfect size for a single bachelor, and the view is amazing.Doesn’t matter that I could afford something larger.
I’m as unpretentious as Madison.Maybe that’s why I’m so attracted to her.She’s real.I like to think I am, too.What you see is what you get.Even after moving in with me, she still leaves the house every day in jeans and sweaters or sweatshirts.Her sneakers aren’t designer.I don’t see evidence she owns a dress, though I suspect she has some at her father’s house.She just didn’t bring them to college.Where would she wear clothes like that?
Madison wears her hair in a ponytail or down.She doesn’t curl it or primp half the morning.She wears minimal makeup.She’s perfection.
She’s mine.
I hope.
Chapter10
Myles
It’s hard for me to focus on Friday.Madison says very little at breakfast and bolts out of the car the moment I pull up to her building.She responds with one-word answers to my texts and gives me more of the silent treatment on the drive home.
We have to talk.I’m starting to wonder if she is second-guessing her submission after her spanking yesterday.If so, wereallyhave to talk.
After we climb the stairs and step into the kitchen, Madison heads straight for the next set of stairs, but I’m not having that.“Stop.Get your ass back here,” I demand.I stand at the threshold between the kitchen and the living room, hands on my hips.All or nothing.We’re having this confrontation.
Madison sighs, drops her backpack at the foot of the stairs, and turns around.She sets her hands on her hips and glares at me.“What?”So much sass in one word.If I weren’t so worried, I would chuckle and take her over my knee.
I point toward the couch.“Sit.”
She drags herself to the couch and flops onto it as if I’ve suggested a root canal without Novocain.
I close the distance between us and stand a few feet away from her.I know she can feel my dominance from our stances alone.Good.
I decide to start with the plans I have for tomorrow.“We need to talk about your birthday.”
She groans and leans her head on the back of the couch, not looking at me.“Let’s just forget about it.”
