That’s easier said than done.
“Excuse me?” Theron crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “Would you like to add back-talking
to the list of things you’re in trouble for?”
“No, Daddy.” My shoulders slumped. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud but, seriously, how was I
supposed to not think about how he’d punish me? I’d been trying to focus all night and it had been a
miserable failure.
Twenty minutes later, I had the deposits bagged and in the safe. The only thing left, other than a
walkthrough on my way out, was printing and signing the cash count sheets. Before, I would have
stocked the main bar as a way to decompress and clear my head before starting on my project, but not
anymore. I’d have to find a new way to unwind after work because I had no doubt Daddy would drive
down here and hover if I didn’t leave at the end of my shifts.
“Would you prefer to leave your car here or follow me to the house?” Theron asked as I set the
alarm and locked the back door.
“I can follow you. That way you don’t have to give me a ride to work tomorrow.”
“But I might,” Theron told me as he slid a hand across the small of my back. “It took me by
surprise when William told me you’ve been falling asleep at work rather than going to your house. I
might need to keep a closer eye on you until I know you’ll come home to me if you don’t want to go to
your apartment.”
“I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you,” I protested. “I’ve been studying in the office for so
long, it’s commonplace to me. It’s easier to do it there than try and focus when I’m at my place,
because I don’t have to worry about the guys being obnoxious when they’re playing whatever video
game they’re addicted to.”
“I still wish you would have told me.” Theron took the keys out of my hand and unlocked my car.
He stopped me when I tried opening the door, pinning me to the side of the vehicle. “It made me look
bad when I was sitting there trying to convince William I was ready to take care of your needs and he
slapped me with the news that you’re not where I thought you were when we’re apart.”
Theron kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his waist, hoping the
fact he was holding me meant I hadn’t screwed up so badly things couldn’t be fixed.
“I just wish you would have said something, sweetheart.” Theron rested his chin on the top of my
head. “I miss the hell out of you on the nights when we’re apart, and knowing you were here instead
