Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 481(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Color me pleased as punch!
I wormed my way out of Colt’s hold and piled the living room samples on the coffee table so I didn’t lose them. I figured the dining room should have the same theme since the rooms adjoined. There was just a waist-high wall separating the two areas.
“So, how’s laundry going?” Colt wondered. “I figure that’s why you’re runnin’ around in nothin’ but underwear.” He checked out my butt, and I had to say I thought it was cute in my Ironman briefs.
“This project got in the way,” I said and picked up a catalogue. “I’ll get to it later. I’m thinking Monday after my dermatology appointment.”
“Really.” Colt peered toward the doorway and rubbed his jaw. Then he walked out, presumably heading for the kitchen.
I flipped through the catalogue, searching for inspiration. Glancing up the stairs, I wondered how far the khaki green would go. I didn’t want green everywhere. Maybe blue in the hallway up on the second floor? Or something more neutral? So many options.
I scratched my stomach and stopped at a spread where everything was decorated in navy and gray. Hmm. Possibly for one of the guest rooms…
Colt returned to the living room and surveyed my floor of chaos.
“Oh! What do you think about this, Daddy?” I showed him a spread in the catalogue that Lucas might love. It was a bedroom design of white-painted brick, a low bed with black details, black hardwood floors, and a New York photograph on the wall. It was so different from what I had now. This was…grown-up. Stylish.
We didn’t have exposed brick in this house, but I’d seen a type of paneling in one of the stores Vincent and I had been to today. You could fake it.
Colt hummed as he eyed the catalogue pictures. “Looks good.”
I scratched my chest. “And maybe a cool chair and some plants and more pictures on the walls?”
He nodded and eyed the floor again, as if he were looking for something, and he appeared to find it. Another booklet of color samples.
“What do you think of this one?” He showed me a lighter shade of burgundy.
I liked it, but he didn’t strike me as a burgundy type of guy. “It’s nice,” I said, scratching my arm. “For the bedroom or one of the guest rooms, maybe?”
“No, for your ass.”
What? I looked at him quizzically.
He closed the booklet and tossed it onto the couch, then faced me fully with his arms folded over his chest.
Uh-oh.
“Did you go through your skin treatment routine this mornin’?”
Fuck, shit. My expression gave me away, I was sure of it. Because I felt like a deer caught in the headlights.
He shook his head. “Figured that was why you were scratchin’ yourself like a crackhead jonesing for his next fix.”
I flinched.
“Luke left a note on the counter in the kitchen,” he pointed out. “You saw it, didn’t you?”
I nodded and stared at my feet. “I’m sorry. I’ll do it tonight, I promise.”
“Tonight…?” He let out a chuckle. “All right, follow me. We’ve been goin’ easy on you, but you need discipline.”
That didn’t sound pleasant at all!
I set down the catalogue on the table and reluctantly followed Colt into the kitchen. He’d stopped near the stools. It was where Lucas had left the note on the island. It was still there.
“Look at me, boy.”
I dragged my gaze upward.
His stare was so stern. “First of all, I’m crazy proud of you for making changes in your life. People and change don’t always mix well, and we’re often afraid to do things that frighten us.” He paused. “But we can’t allow you to forget everything else. Your recovery ain’t for kicks. You’ve got doctors tellin’ you to do certain things, and then you fuckin’ do them.”
“Yes, Daddy,” I whispered.
He nodded. “Good. Now, take off my belt and push down your briefs.”
Oh my God. I felt my face go pale, and my fingers started shaking as I closed the distance and unbuckled his belt. It was weathered black leather, soft to the first touch, but… I swallowed hard. Nothing about this would be soft. He was going to strike me. Discipline me.
With the belt in one hand, I used my other to push down my bottoms.
I’d never stood naked in the kitchen before.
Colt took the belt from me and tapped the note on the counter. “Rosa’s been here today, hasn’t she?”
I nodded, confused. “Yes, Sir.”
“I figured. See how everythin’ is spotless? It means she’s also seen the note, but she didn’t put it on the fridge with all the other notes you’ve got there. She wiped down the counter and purposely put the note back. Maybe because she fucking knows how important it is for you to follow your doctor’s orders.”
I bit down on my lip to keep it from trembling.
“How many times today have you walked past this?” he asked. “Is it hard to see? Does the neon yellow fade against the marble?”