She ran her hand down his chest and landed on his jeans. Fumbling with the button, she stopped short when his hand covered hers.
“Stop,” he warned.
“Do you not like it when a woman takes control? Your dad didn’t either. He preferred us on our knees begging him. James claimed he gave us what we needed. Don’t you want to do the same?”
“I’ll give you what you need when I have your full permission,” he said, grinding out the words. His jaw ticked in anger as she hurled her insults at him. “I’m nothing like my father.”
“Ha,” she said, mocking him. “Poor Jameson. He never loved you. Then, you went to Serenity and found they didn’t love you either. Maybe the sins of the father got paid through his son.”
Jameson stepped back as if she slapped him.
“Stop having a pity party, Caroline,” his voice came out hard. “I’ve shown up for you and have never given you a reason to doubt my intentions.”
“What intentions? Do you think I can honestly forget who you are? You’re like all the others, Jameson. You only want one thing.”
A low rumble came from his chest as he growled at her words.
“If you can’t handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen,” he warned. “You’re pushing me.”
She shoved him hard in the chest.
“And what will you do about it?” she challenged, her eyes turning darker blue.
“I’ll give you what you need, but it won’t be exactly what you want,” he told her.
“Then give it to me,” she insisted.
He slowly shook his head. “Say it, Caroline. Give me full permission to give you what you need.”
She huffed and let out a strangled laugh at his absurdity.
“You have my full permission. You have no idea what I need.”
Jameson pulled her close and sat on the bed. Her body grew frigid as she imagined he planned to have sex with her. He reached under her skirt, pulling her panties down to her feet. He yanked her down across his lap, pulled the skirt up, and smacked her behind.
“Wait,” she begged, trying to turn over.
“I’m giving you what you need, Caroline,” he reminded as he delivered another blow to her bottom. Jameson took a breath, controlling his anger. Three more quick slaps, pinked her bottom as he rubbed the sting away.
“I’m sorry,” she said, as her breath hitched and she tried to pull away.
He ignored it, tapping her butt cheek again. Then, he heard it. A soft cry escaped her lips.
Jameson added two more in succession as she started to weep. He rubbed the sting away and gave her two more. Caroline cried uncontrollably as he lifted her onto his lap.
Her mascara ran, and her cheeks turned red as she blubbered on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” she cried. “I didn’t mean it,” she confessed. “I’m angry. He died without warning. It hurts so bad, Jameson,” she wailed. “I can’t take any more.”
Jameson let her cry, stroking her hair and her back.
“I never got to say goodbye to Mom,” she continued. “I’m a failure. I have no job, don’t know anything about my father, and I don’t know what to do.”
Jameson kissed her head and then her forehead. Caroline sought his comfort, lifting her face to his. She pressed her lips to his, but he didn’t return her offering.
“Make love to me, Jameson. I need you,” she begged.
“No. It’s the last thing you need,” he told her. “I love you, Caroline. But I love you enough to let you go. I can wish James Stanton never fathered me, but it’s useless. I tried to show you I’m not the man you believe me to be. Yes, I lied because I wanted to protect you. Nonetheless, I still did it, hoping you’d know you can trust me. Obviously, I made a mistake. You’ll be guarded until we catch Cain. Regardless of where you go. Rest assured, I won’t bother you with my presence again.”
