Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
“Use respectful words. You can tell me what you’re feeling but you’re not going to snap at me.” He kneaded his fingers into both sides of my bottom, a small reprieve from the leather strap.
“I let you be the bad guy, okay? It was fucking easier to take out my grief on you rather than face it.” Another confession. I couldn’t believe how many things that I’d held so close to my chest were pouring out like my mouth was a spigot since he’d arrived.
“Ah. I don’t love to play the villain, little girl. But it does give me some insight. Every single thing I’ve told you is true. I’m going to manage this ranch better than it's been handled. Not because you were doing a poor job, but because you didn’t have all the tools you needed. I’m here to improve finances, productivity and give you anything and everything you need to restore Violet Meadows. I’m not going to send you away, Quinn.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn’t recall crying as much in my life as I had the past week. I’d locked away my grief from losing my parents, losing my home, and constantly feeling like a burden inside a huge safe inside my chest. Callum had not only figured out the combination, he’d broken it open so I couldn’t hide inside it anymore. The walls sheltering my heart were crumbling faster than I could rebuild.
“I’m not used to anyone sticking around. Other than Nana. When she died, I was worried I’d be alone again. It was a selfish thought.”
Callum pressed a kiss to the base of my spine. Then planted another higher, moving upward until he reached the back of my neck. “I’m not going to let you build those walls again. Not if I can help it. They stopped you from getting hurt, but they also stopped you from experiencing other things. Didn’t they?”
“Mmmmhmmm,” I agreed through sniffles. He was right in a way he had no business being. Not when we hadn’t been around each other in years. I’d poured myself into working, seldom engaging in fun activities. I had hobbies that I enjoyed, but the ranch took up most of my time.
“No more barriers, babygirl. Not between us. Let’s get this done.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
“Three.”
I braced for the strap. He targeted my left side. It hurt but it wasn’t as bad as the others. Whether it was because there was nothing left to uncover, all the gunk was being purged, or something else, I wasn’t sure. Breathing into the burn, I let the feeling roll across my body and released it. My heart felt lighter, like the burdens I’d been carrying left when the walls came down.
“Almost there. Four,” he said soothingly.
My right buttcheek smarted as the leather bit into it, but I embraced the sensation. I wasn’t tense anymore. “Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for taking the time to explain yourself, you didn’t have to.”
Callum sucked in a breath. As if he wasn’t expecting something so raw to come out of me as he delivered the spanking. “You don’t have to thank me, baby. I think it’s important for you to understand why I’m doing the things I’m doing. Five.”
He caught my sit-spots, the pain blotting out any more complicated thoughts. I cried hard while he patted my hip, whispering gentle words of praise.
“You’re taking your corrections so well, babygirl. Last one. Six.”
He completed the last stroke without fanfare. It stung badly, but I was already sobbing. Once it was over, Callum carefully turned me around on the bed, shifted me into his arms and held me against his chest.
“We’re all done. It’s okay, Quinn. You’re safe with me. You can let go of whatever has been bothering you so much. I’m here now.”
“I know you are, I do. I promise I’ll behave from now on.”
“Shhh, babygirl. I expect you to push my buttons, especially when I don’t hold up my end of the bargain. The time just kept flying through my fingers. I’ve created a better routine for myself so it doesn’t happen again.”
Clinging to him like my lifeline, I calmed my breathing. The tears ceased until only a few strays slipped down my cheeks. Callum fell into the role I’d wanted so long ago. While it was overwhelming and we barely knew each other as adults, it felt so right. We used to spend hours together, sharing secrets, talking about our futures. I realized despite my insistence that we weren’t friends, he had been there for me. I hadn’t connected the dots until he returned to town. Callum left me behind once; he could do it again. Confessing the pattern to him lifted most of the weight off my shoulders. He promised not to leave me or turn me away and I believed him.