“You’re welcome. Time starts now.” He moved back to the stool and perched on it, his arms over his chest. His posture screamed Daddy, and he raised an eyebrow. “Face the wall, Reed.”
I obeyed without saying anything else that might get me into trouble. For as much as I hadn’t tested him before, it seemed like he might actually be able to be the Dominant I needed.
Six
Kingston
Walking into the chaos unfolding at Reed’s house left me second-and- third-guessing myself. I’d ordered both Eloise and my best friend to the corner for what I hoped was a much-needed timeout to process whatever the hell had been buzzing through their brains. Having zero clue about if either of them would listen to me or curse me out, I was surprised to see them both standing with their noses pressed to the wall. Tensions were running high and so were their emotions. Reed hadn’t been in a relationship where he was submissive in a long while. Eloise voiced that she needed a Daddy but that didn’t mean she wanted me. Thinking about being in a relationship or fantasizing didn’t mean she would accept me as her Daddy.
The buzzer on my phone rang loudly, startling them and myself. I took a breath and stood, collecting Reed first. I’d never sent him to the corner before. Other than busting his ass that one time when we were in our twenties, after he made a dumb decision to get drunk and drive home, I hadn’t spanked him either. That was about to change. My best friend had been spiraling for a hot minute. I wasn’t going to sit around any longer and watch him go down that rabbit hole. Not if I hadanything to say about it. Standing behind him, I rubbed his shoulders.
“Go sit on the couch, Reed. Let’s talk about this.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Unlike with Eli, I know your limitsandyour boundaries. All of them,” I growled into his ear.
Reed let out a long string of curses. After a few seconds he turned around. Our height differences never mattered before, but he stared down at me as if he had the upper hand. He licked along his lips and rubbed his mouth. Was he going to battle or do what I’d told him to do?
“King. I listened because the tensions were high. I’m calm now.”
“Do I have to bring you to the couch? Because once we get there, I’ll bend you over the cushions and take off my belt. It doesn’t have a lot of give, so your ass won’t enjoy it.”
Reed’s eyes widened as if he was surprised by my threat. “You won’t spank me.”
“I will if that’s what it takes to get you to listen. Please sit on the couch so I can get Eli from the other corner. Then we'll talk.”
“You said you’re on limited time.”
“I am.”
“Don’t threaten something you can’t follow through with.”
“Last chance to do as I’ve said.”
Reed crossed his arms over his chest. If he wanted to challenge and push my buttons, then he was going to get a response. I unbuckled my belt.
“I’m going!” He scurried into the living room while throwing curious looks over his shoulder.
Keeping my focus on him until he sank into the plush cushions of his couch left me feeling a bit cocky with his compliance. Reed never bratted this hard, so what was his deal? He had done it the night he hit his head too. Maybe Eloisebrought that side out? Fixing my pants, I continued staring until he dropped his head.
He was such a good boy, despite how he was currently acting.
Walking to the other wall, I observed Eloise standing there. I turned her around to face me, keeping a hold on her hips. “Have you ever been sent to the corner, sweetheart?”
She wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Not in a long time and not randomly.”
“Does it usually help you gather your thoughts?”
“It depends on what’s going on. Right now I’m feeling exceptionally raw. Being in the corner made a lot of gunk come up to the surface.”
“I have some ideas on how to get us all on the same page, but will you trust me to help?”
She bit down on her lip, staring. Her huge honey-brown eyes were as wide as I’d ever seen them, not that I had spent a lot of time looking into them. I freed her lip with my thumb.
“Yes, please, King,” she answered sweetly.
I held out my hand and led her to the couch, purposefully sitting next to Reed so she would have to sit on the other side of me. Looping an arm around each of their shoulders, I tugged them a little closer hoping that my actions offered comfort and didn’t add pressure to the situation.
