Page 122 of Axe Marks the Spot

“And whose collar will you wear when the time is right?”

“Yours, Sir.”

I pet her hair again before cupping her cheek. Lindsey savors the touch, resting her head against my hand in submission. Her eyes remain on mine, and we stay like that for a few minutes before I have her stand.

When we’re face-to-face, I lean down and kiss her. “How do you feel?”

“Calm.” She hums. “Centered.”

“Good. I’m going to write those down for you, and you’re going to add them to your daily routine. When you’re feeling unsure, you’re going to repeat those to yourself, and you’re going to lean on me when you need me. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good girl. Now, what do you want my help with first?”

She smiles. “I could use your help picking up Kas’s room.”

“No,” I tell her easily.

“What?” she asks, confused.

“I think Kas can pick up her own room when she gets home, don’t you?”

“But I told her—”

“She’ll survive. If there’s something you need to do that she can’t do, that’s one thing. But just like her mom, I think Kas needs to understand that there are some things she is responsible for, and cleaning up her own mess is one of them.”

“Burn.” She chuckles.

I gently tug on Lindsey’s ponytail in warning. “That wasn’t meant to be mean, and if I remember correctly, I’ve told you that you’re not always going to like me or what I have to say. I’m here to push you and take care of you. Let me.”

Lindsey blows out a breath and nods. “You’re right.”

“I always am.”

She rolls her eyes, and my grip on her ponytail tightens until her head is pulled back, her neck straining slightly.

“Does my bratty slut need a lesson before we get her house in order?” I threaten, though my tone has a slight tease to it.

“I think I do,” she answers, her tone near breathless and pupils now blown.

My dick jumps to life, and I pull her head to me so our lips are close. “Lesson number one: Brats don’t get what they want.” I pull my lips a touch away, stepping back from her.

Lindsey blinks, her body and mind taking a second to realize I’m no longer in her space and I’m not going to tell her to bend over and present her naked ass to me, something I know she wants. That “funishment” can come later after we’ve addressed the things making her life harder. The things she’s been avoiding.

“Now, I think we should start with your finances.”

Lindsey groans, and I know I’ve hit the jackpot.

“Okay, fine,” she mutters. “But do I get something if I’m a good girl?”

“I guess you’ll find out,” I tease back.

37

Lindsey

I DIDN’T THINK I’D ever want someone to meddle in my personal affairs after Jeremy, but here I am, having Dane not only help me clean my house and with my bills and finances but now fold my underwear as well.