Page 41 of Five Days to Be Mine

The sorrowful look on his face makes me want to reach out and tell him it wasn’t his fault. I ran out of that apartment the morning after because I couldn’t deal.

“Whatever the reason, I have five days to show you that you don’t ever have to bolt on me again, Mara.”

His tone softens as he says my name.

“Evan, I’m trying to work here.”

His mouth quirks. “Really?”

“Yes,” I say it defensively but he’s smiling huge and I don’t know why.

“Give me five days, Mara.”

“Evan, this is wild…what if I hate you at the end of five days?” I shake my head, not able to look at him.

“If you do, then I will find you somewhere to live and somewhere for you to work. Actually, I'm going to find you somewhere to work as soon as I can. It’s a painful commute here to the city and you need to be where people can find you and if you put one more thing in your garage, the whole thing is going to fall down.”

“Nothing is wrong with here.”

“I didn't say there was, but location matters, Mara. Let’s get you packed because I can’t wait to spank you.”

“Why would you spank me?” I ask.

Evan spins me to face him. “I need it out of my system because I haven't stopped thinking of spanking your ass since that morning I woke up and you weren't next to me. Spanking you is how we’re going to seal this deal.”

My thoughts whirl in a cluster. I need somewhere to stay. Having somewhere to work would be a relief, especially if it was in the city. Also, if Evan is serious about hiring me for Sinful Bites, I’d be dumb to turn that down. And I'm lying to myself if I keep insisting I don't want the spanking the man is offering.

“That’s a tall order for one spanking.”

“Also?” Evan raises his eyebrow. “I know how much you like it.”

I’m blushing so hard, I can barely swallow. “Yeah.”

He touches my cheek. “Good girl.”

Before I can reply, he’s looped his arm in mine and is walking me around the shed, stopping at an old concrete bench. My pulse races and I'm damn wet because his touch on my hand is electric. I let out an undignified shriek of laughter because the man is serious about that spanking.

“You mean now?”

“Oh yes, right now.”

“How did you know there was a bench?”

Evan’s dark eyes meet mine and my tummy lurches. “I didn’t. I was only going for privacy.Are you ready, Mara?”

He sits down and pats his lap.

I clench and unclench my fists.

Stuff like this doesn’t happen to a woman like me and even though I'm thinking this can’t be happening, I'm walking towards him.

He tugs me over his lap and I'm staring at his shiny loafers, my heart thudding out of my chest.

9 EVAN

Idon’t know why she ran out on me after that one incredible night together, but right now, having her warm body over my lap, it doesn't matter.

She turns her head to look at me, ocean eyes bright and glassy, and I just want to rip her jacket off and touch every part of her skin.

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