That’s right. She’smyMommy. Not yours.
Holy fuck. Where did that thought come from? Is that odd twisty feeling in my stomach actually…jealousy?
No. Definitely not. I don’t even like Catharina, so why would I care if she’s nice to Kerry? Just because Kerry is tall and thinand pretty and blonde, everything I know I’ll never be, it doesn’t mean I’m jealous.
Does it?
Of course not. Squeezing my eyes shut again, I try to ignore that weird feeling in my stomach.
“Open up, little one. Mommy has a treat for you.”
The smell of chocolate hits my nose and my mouth practically waters. But I already had those cookies in the limo, which means I’m well over my “sweet treat” allotment for the day. And maybe it’s ridiculous to be worrying about how I’ll look in a bathing suit, considering my most pressing issue at the moment is the fact that I’ve been kidnapped by a rich sociopath with the resources to make me completely disappear if she wants to. And yet, here I am, ready to refuse a treat because of the extra calories.
“Not hungry.”
“You need something in your tummy, Alexis. If you don’t want the chocolate, we have other snacks. Would you prefer some nuts?”
“I said I’m not hungry.” There’s more than a little snap in my voice as I repeat myself, and beneath me, Catharina stiffens.
“If you’re that eager for another spanking, I can certainly accommodate you.”
Fury and fear dance inside me, and I push myself up to glare at her. “I didn’t even do anything! You’re just looking for an excuse to beat me!”
Of all the responses I might have expected to my outburst, her laughter wasn’t one of them. And yet, that’s exactly the reaction I get. Head thrown back, her whole body shaking, her delighted laughter fills the cabin. It’s the kind of laugh a girl could lose herself in.
If a girl was interested in her that way, I mean. Which I am definitelynot.
“Oh, my sweet little imp.” Eyes shining with the evidence of her mirth, Catharina grins. “I don’t need to look for reasons to spank you. It’s a Mommy’s prerogative to spank her babygirl whenever she feels like it. But I have a feeling you will be giving me many, many reasons without me looking very hard at all.”
“Maybe I wouldn’t give you any reasons at all if you weren’t, you know,kidnapping me against my will.”
“The way I remember it, you couldn’t wait to jump on the chance of an all- expenses-paid vacation. It’s not my fault you failed to ask the important questions.”
“Oh, yeah, it’s definitely my fault for not asking if you were going to hold me down and spank me like a child and then wash my mouth out with soap.” Sarcasm drips from my words, but instead of scolding me, Catharina simply nods.
“Exactly. I’m glad we agree.”
The sheer arrogance of her response robs me of my speech, my mouth falling open as I stare at her. Just enough for her to pop one of the chocolates she’s holding between my lips.
I should spit it out, right onto her perfect suit. But before I can even process that thought, the chocolate melts on my tongue, mixing with the salted caramel in the center. It is, hands down, the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever tasted and a low moan slips from me as I savor it.
“See now? Mommy knows best. Coconut or a truffle next?”
Well, it’s really pointless to fight her now, I guess. My diet is already ruined and as she said, Ihavehad a rather rough day. “Coconut.”
Catharina plucks another chocolate from the box and feeds it to me. The coconut is almost as good as the caramel, and the truffle she gives me next is even better.
To my dismay, she replaces the cover on the box and sets it aside. “You can have some more after lunch. I wouldn’t want my Little girl getting a tummyache from too many sweets.”
“But I wanna try the raspberry one.”
“You can try after lunch.” Her tone is firm, clearly indicating the conversation is closed. “Right now, Mommy has another treat for you.”
Disappointment gives way to curiosity. “What kind of treat?”
Leaning over, she picks something up from the floor. I blink at the thing in her hand, my brain trying to reconcile what she’s holding.
“Is that… Is that abottle?”
