Frantically, I look around, catching the shimmering sequins of my dress on the end of the bed. As if my mind is finally catching up to my situation, I look down at my body. I’m wearing an oversized, black T-shirt.
“Oh, God.” I slap my hands to my cheeks, then my forehead. I can’t even look at Holt. “Did we have sex?”
Holt chuckles, pulling my hand away from my face. “No, Wallflower. I’m not down with necrophilia. I prefer my women conscious, sober, and consenting.”
“Oh.” I sigh, then I see the hurt flash across his face. His eyes soften and his tiny smirk disappears. I wrap my hand over his. “Not that I thought you ever would. I’m just confused.” I look down at his shirt. “How did I…?”
“Take another bite,” he orders, shoving the half-eaten slice toward me again.
I do as he says, staring into his eyes the entire time. I’m working it over in my mouth when he continues.
“When I brought you home, I was going to lay you down here, but you stirred in my arms, and when I realized you were on the verge of throwing up, I tried to run to the bathroom but didn’t make it in time. You got some on your dress.” He places the plate on the nightstand, scooting noticeably closer to me. He tucks my hair behind my ear. “I didn’t think you’d want to sleep in your vomit-covered dress.”
“No,” I chuckle, resting my head in my hand. “I wouldn’t have. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“But that means you saw…” Now my cheeks are hot. In fact, my entire face is on fire.
“Yes.” His eyes darken. “Saw your little white lacy number with the embroidered flowers?”
“Oh, God,” I groan, hanging my head in shame.
Holt’s fingers hook under my chin, luring me back up to face him. “I didn’t touch, but I won’t lie and say it wasn’t impossible to look away. I only let my eyes linger for a half second before slipping my T-shirt over your head.”
“Thank you for being kind and helping me.” I tilt my head to the side, this conversation confusing me further. “Although, I should probably get home and brush my teeth. I feel disgusting.” I start to shift under the blanket. “I’ve caused you enough trouble as it is.”
He quickly catches my hand. “You aren’t trouble, Selene.”
I sigh, dropping my shoulders. “You drove all the way to my place, then you had to carry me home, and I was a mess.”
He places his finger to my mouth, stopping me from talking. Electric jolts crack across my lips at his touch. “I didn’thaveto do anything.”
It’s difficult to breathe when he’s touching me this way. I’m a mess. A complete mess. The way I look on the outside is exactly how I feel on the inside. I’m almost certain my hair looks like a fucking rat’s nest and my breath smells of a lovely concoction of vomit and tequila, but I can’t ignore the way Holt’s looking at me like I’m the only person he wants to look at for the rest of his days. It’s insane. I must be delusional.
“Why are you so resistant to receiving help?” he asks. “Do you find it hard to believe that I care about you and your wellbeing?”
“No, it isn’t that.” I’m lying. It is hard to believe anyone would care about me. Love is for the fucking birds.
“Listen, Wallflower,” he whispers, leaning forward. “Keep up with the lies, and I may just punish you after all.”
He brings his mouth close to mine, and I snap my lips together. I can’t kiss him when I can still taste last night on my tongue. At least let me brush my teeth first.
I swallow, naively believing it will help. “What type of punishment? You’ve said this before.”
“Every time I catch you in a lie, I’ll take you over my knee and spank that perfect, round ass of yours.”
A sharp breath of air hits the back of my throat. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I would.” His voice deepens, tearing down the walls I’ve built for myself. “Don’t tell me you’ve never been spanked before, Wallflower.”
“No,” I clip out. “I haven’t.”
He grins. He can tell it isn’t a lie. “We might just have to change that then. With your permission, of course.”
“I don’t think I could. Spanking seems ridiculous.”
He scoots impossibly closer, placing a hand on the other side of my leg. He’s taking up all the space between us. “We’ll see if you’re saying that afterward. You’ll be surprised what a spanking can do.”
