“Nevertheless, today you will eat breakfast and what’s more, you will eat all of it,” he calmly asserted, taking his seat.
“John,” she began, twisting her napkin before setting it on the table. “I’m sorry I…”
John raised one eyebrow and stared at her. Without a word being spoken; she picked up her napkin and returned it to her lap. Picking up her fork she pushed some food around on her plate as she glanced several times at the distance between the table and the door.
“I wouldn’t,” he advised, clearly reading her intentions. “I may be a bit older than you, but I typically run six miles a day or more. That and the fact that my stride is probably three times longer than yours, you haven’t a chance of making it.”
“John, if this is about last night...” she began until he cut her off again.
“We will discuss last night in intimate detail when we have finished breakfast,” he stated firmly without an ounce of flexibility.
Erica had had enough. Standing she threw her napkin on the table and faced him. “I said I don’t eat breakfast,” she informed him tartly, “and if you want to bitch at me about last night, go ahead and get it over with.”
John never stopped cutting his meat as he replied quite gently. “Erica, if you are a smart little girl, which remains to be seen, you will sit down immediately and begin eating. Otherwise, I will pick you up, carry you to the bedroom and locate your hairbrush. I’m sure you have one?” he asked, meeting her eyes.
Erica nodded, speechless.
“Good. I will then proceed to spank the living daylights out of your behind after which I will bring you back here, sit you on my lap and feed you myself. Do I make myself clear?” he asked, smiling slightly.
Erica sat with a thump and picked up her fork, her mind working furiously trying to figure out what she’d missed in their interview.
Little girl?
Sit you on my lap and feed you myself
Well, hell!
“John?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask you a question?” she inquired cautiously. There was no sense in escalating the situation.
“You may.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were into age-play when we went over your application?”
“I’m not playing.”
“Oh”
They finished their meal in relative peace and as long as Erica was eating most of what he placed on her plate, he didn’t make an issue of it. As soon as he put his napkin on the table and rose, Erica sighed in relief.
“Breakfast was lovely John,’ she said. “I guess I didn’t realize how hungry I really was. Thank you very much,” she continued as he rounded the table and pulled out her chair. “I understand if you no longer want to accompany me to the wedding this afternoon, after last night, I mean.”
John actually laughed at that as he took her hand in his and led her to the sofa. “Of course I’ll take you to the wedding. I’ve come nearly two thousand miles to do just that and you will learn, in time, that I always follow through on my commitments.”
“Okay, I appreciate that,” she said with a nervous smile. “Well now that that’s settled, I need to start getting ready, so if you’ll excuse me,” she continued, rising from the sofa.
John tugged her back down easily. “I believe I said we were going to discuss last night in intimate detail, didn’t I?”
“Yes,” she sighed, folding her hands in her lap and staring at them.
“Erica, I agreed to come on this trip for two reasons. One was the chance to spend time with a beautiful young woman I’m incredibly attracted to. The other was to see if she was really what she presented herself to be. I must tell you that I am both disappointed and delighted.”
“What?” she asked, raising her chin “If that’s your idea of a compliment, you need to work on your skills.”
“It’s neither a compliment nor a condemnation. You are beautiful and smart, talented and organized. I’ve never met a woman who could get so much done with so little apparent effort. It’s quite amazing, watching you in action. It would seem the word professional was coined for you. On the other hand, you can be rude, extraordinarily ill-behaved and at times vulgar. Your childish actions last night were not only foolhardy but dangerous. Tell me?” he asked, leaning back against the cushions and crossing his arms over his chest. “Why did you ask me to come with you on this trip?”
