Page 56 of Ranch Rules

Natalie turned away from him. He just didn’t get it. She supposed it wasn’t his fault, really. The people he saw wanted this type of thing, and she’d been forced to come here. Clearly he hadn’t made that distinction yet.

“Well, why not, Natalie? If it’s truly not somethin’ you enjoy, that helps you, then that’s one thing. But if your only reason is because ‘it’s not done that way,’ well, that’s not gonna fly.”

She forced herself to look at him once more. “But—”

“Uh-uh. My turn now. And as for the other, to tell you the truth I don’t care how Lora and Nate handle their relationship. That’s theirs, and none of my business. But I was never tryin’ to duplicate what they have. I want somethin’ all my own. I want a relationship with you.” He locked those blue eyes on hers, taking her hand, and she couldn’t help but begin to waffle.

“Really? You do?” Her voice was little more than a whisper.

“I do. And if bein’ a little doesn’t work for you, then we’ll figure out what does, and how to make it work for us.”

She was at a loss for words. This conversation had gone totally opposite of what she’d expected.

“But you are not to run away from problems in the future, do you hear me, little girl?” The last words came out a growl.

Natalie’s cheeks flushed and she ducked her head. “Yes, sir. I hear you.”

“Good. Then get your butt over here.” But before she had a chance to move, he’d picked her up and set her on his lap.

Despite her protestations, she couldn’t help but feel little and shy. He seemed to have that effect on her, and she had a feeling that if he kept using that stern Daddy voice she was going to melt. “I’m sorry,” she said again, leaning into his chest.

“Sorry is right,” he said into her ear. “And you know what happens to silly girls who run off and scare their daddies half to death, don’t you?”

“Um... I could probably guess,” she mumbled into his shirt.

“They don’t sit comfortably.”

She felt her heart lurch, and yet, at the same time her thighs quivered. “But I didn’t do it to scare you. I was just... confused,” she protested.

“You could have talked to me. Instead, you put yourself in danger getting out in this weather with your car nearly on empty.”

“I didn’t know it was going to rain like this.” It was the only defense she could think to offer. Natalie bit down on her bottom lip guiltily as she looked at him.

Thomas searched her face with serious eyes. “I tell you what. I won’t give you a spanking unless you think you deserve one.”

“Really?” She felt a surge of hope.

“Really. But you better think about it and tell me truthfully whether you deserve one.”

Damn it. This get-out-of-jail card was a trap after all.

“Well?”

“Don’t I get more time to think?” she pouted.

“Hmm.” He clucked her under the chin. “Exactly how much time do you need? You know if you’ve been naughty, little-bit. You know if you deserve a spanking.”

She clenched her cheeks, butterflies flitting nervously in her stomach. She didn’t want a spanking. But had she earned one?

She had run off without talking to him. True, she’d been scared, unsure of what their future would look like or even if they had one, but then, without giving him the benefit of discussing it, she’d left. She’d made assumptions about him, and about their relationship without even asking his opinion. That was at least a little bit naughty.

“Maybe... maybe a little spanking, sir?”

Thomas tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “A little spanking, hmm? Do you think that will teach my naughty girl not to run away from her daddy again?”

Her belly swooped with pleasure. How was he able to do this to her with nothing more than his words? “Yes, sir.”

“Hmm.” He tapped a finger to his chin. “Okay, I’ll just put a little sting in your bottom. But if it ever happens again—and I do mean ever—then you’ll be feeling that tawse I see you eyeing every time we’re in the office.”

Natalie felt her heart stop in her chest for a second. She almost forgot to breathe, and when she finally remembered, it came out as a coughing fit.

Thomas waited until she was done. “Do you understand?”

“Yes,” she gasped. “Yes, I understand.”

“Good. Now, be a good girl and get over my lap.”

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