“I heard you tell Gemma you'd be home for Christmas,” she blurts, and ducks her head.
I rock back on my heels, feeling amused that she eavesdropped on me, just like I do with her. I might go grocery shopping more than I need to, just to see her.
I take her bowl and hand her back the book to read while I wash up. I’m mopping up the wet spots where the snow melted on the floor when what Lainey said earlier lands.
I might not be book smart like Lainey, but I have my own brand of smarts. Lainey’s good at a lot of things, but lying isn’t one of them.
4
Lainey
Joel looms over me.“You lied to me, Lainey.” He looks so stern. “Gemma isn’t in town for the holidays. She flew out to be with your parents.”
I swallow. I’ve spent the last few minutes trying to think up excuses and pretending to read.
He takes the book out of my hand and sets it aside. “What’s really going on here?”
“You said you’d be alone.” I knot my fingers together. “It’s Christmas.”
His brows slant down.
“No one should be alone on Christmas.” I resist the urge to squirm under his fierce stare.Be bold.“So I came up here.”
“You came up here,” he repeats slowly.
“I want to be with you.” And I put my hand on his leg. A tremor runs through me. Or maybe him. Or both of us.
“Fuck,” he breathes. “You did this on purpose.”
“I didn’t mean to break down. I was hoping to find the road.”
“You could have been hit by a car. Or gotten lost in the woods.” The tops of his cheeks flare red. He lets out a gust of air and motions sharply. “Stand up.”
I rise and he takes my place, immediately grabbing my hand to guide me down into his lap.
His lap.
“Wh-what—”
“It seems my first lecture didn’t take hold. So I’m going to give it again… with a little reinforcement.”
“Reinforcement?”
“Oh, yes.” His hand skates up my back. “It’s time you learned your lesson. I promised you punishment, didn’t I?” When I don’t answer, he gives me a squeeze. “Isn’t that right?”
I nod.
“Use your words, babygirl.”
My face has to be bright red. I squeeze my thighs together. “Yes. That’s right.” I’m breathless and my heart’s galloping. I’m on Joel Adler’s lap, staring into stern blue eyes inches from mine. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but there’s no place I’d rather be. “You said you’d turn me over your knee.”
His grip tightens but his face is calm. “Good girl. Tell me, Lainey. Have you ever been spanked?”
I shake my head before I remember to answer. “No.”
“In a minute, I’m going to help you up. I’m going to unbutton your jeans, but I won’t undress you yet. You’re going to lie across my lap. I’ll spank you over this,” he rubs the denim stretched over my hip, “first. Warm you up. Then, you’ll get punished.”
“Will it hurt?” I squeak. I’m six seconds away from hyperventilating.
