“It burns Daddy!”
At least she was addressing him now. Hal brought the ruler down with ruthless precision until a quietly sobbing Hailey hung limply over his knee. Hal pocketed the ruler and stood her on her feet, tugging her skirt into place.
“Are you ready to be a good girl and tell me what’s going on with you?” Hal tucked a stray curl behind her ear.
“Yes, Sir.” Hailey gazed at Hal for the first time that evening and he could see the war in her eyes.
“I was afraid.”
He had hoped for more, but it was obvious, Hal would have to pull the answers from her. Hailey was very good at expressing herself when it was about a cause, something she believed in, but when it came to her personal feelings, apparently, not so much.
“What specifically are you afraid of, Hailey?”
She dropped her gaze. “Of what would happen. No that’s not accurate,” she muttered, “of what wouldn’t happen, that’s what I’m afraid of.”
Hal was puzzled.
“What are you afraid wouldn’t happen?”
“You. Us. You know, a relationship. I was so confused yesterday because your offer was only for work and guidance. But I want more.”
Her eyes traveled back up, piercing him with the need he saw there.
“Then you paid my bill and bought me food, and with no mention of paying you back. So was that part of the job offer because if so, you never said, and don’t even get me started on the fridge and the wine. And I thought no way I can eat all of this he must be coming over to dine with me all the time, but you never said and then we had sex again and I waited for you to reassure me we had a thing and no matter what happened at work, we could continue because I really like you, Daddy.”
Hal was ecstatic about what she shared, but disappointed in himself that he had overlooked such a simple thing. Of course, she was confused.
“Hailey, I must apologize to you. Yesterday was a strange day, not just for you but for me as well. I was winging it from the time I walked through the lobby and saw you at the desk speaking with Amber. I have never had an interview like that before and my gut was leading the way.
That in itself is highly unusual for me because I am a very methodical person, but not since you walked through my door. I’ve been everything but. I very much wish to pursue a relationship with you. I only offered the three-month probation primarily to assure you that if you wanted out, you could and wouldn’t have to worry about going backward in life. I would ensure your employment, even if it wasn’t with me.”
Hal ran his thumb pad over a stray tear. “Does that clear up your confusion?”
She appeared to consider his question.
“Mostly, but I still have a lot of questions. First is, will you be coming over for dinner tonight? I need to cash out, and I’m starving.”
“Hailey,” he growled, “did you not eat lunch today?”
“No Daddy,” she dropped her head again.
“Breakfast?”
Her cheeks burned bright red under the sensor light that hung over the entrance.
“Okay, young lady. I see I have my work cut out for me. Cash-out. I’ll get the car and wait for you out front. We can discuss your other questions over dinner.”
A big grin lit Hailey’s face. “Okay, Daddy.”
Chapter Six
Hailey
Crap! Paper flew out of the copier at a rapid pace. Hailey tried every button to get it to stop, but the paper just kept coming. It had been one week since she started working as Hal’s junior assistant and he was putting her through her paces.
But finally, it was Friday, and Hailey was looking forward to a little R&R. They hadn’t had a repeat of her interview day and she needed the stress release. Who knew spanking and steamy sex would become her number one form of stress release? Had the copier not been going berserk, she might have taken the time to slide a finger inside her needy folds and take care of her needs.
Hal had given her one last task to complete before hell week was officially over. That man! Now she had an hour at least ofclean up, not to mention the waste of ink and paper. Would accounting dock her pay? Would she get paid overtime? Hailey’s anxiety ramped up thinking about thewhat ifs. Had she asked about the nuts and bolts of the basics when they’d discussed the job a week ago, maybe her brains wouldn’t be scrambling to figure out the answers.
