Page 37 of Her Stepbrother Master
She started to nod, then stopped. Did she? “I-I don’t know.”
“What do you think?”
“Um, truthfulness?”
He smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. It came as a relief to see the affection still there. “Yes, mouse. Truthfulness. Obedience. Respect. It’s not hard. Do you trust me?”
She nodded without hesitation. Of course she trusted him.
“Do you believe I love you and want to care for you the best way I know how?”
That part was new, but when she remembered all the tender moments of caring he’d shown her, since the first night she’d shown up, she knew the answer was yes. She nodded.
“Then you can trust my decisions are made with your best welfare in mind.”
She nibbled her lip. It was like having a parent—a daddy. She may not always agree, but she did know he meant to protect her and wanted what was best for her.
“You are welcome to influence my decisions. I expect to hear your opinions and I don’t mind if you argue with me, so long as it’s respectfully. But if you’re going to be my wife, mouse…”
She stared at him, her belly clenching at the if. What did he mean if she was going to be his wife? Was her position in question?
“...well, I need to trust you, too. I need to know you are honest with me and you never hide things from me, even if you know it will get you a spanking.”
Her nose burned. “What do you mean if?” she croaked.
He caught her face in his hands and shook his head. “I didn’t mean if. I’m sorry. You are already a wife in my eyes. You are my baby girl, my one and only. You are my everything. Nothing will change that.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks—tears of relief.
“I made a mistake, mouse. I blurred the lines between discipline and pleasure from the very beginning. The truth is that I couldn’t resist you. Every time I saw your sweet little bottom bared to me, I wanted to possess all of you, in every way. So, I can see why you might even think it’s fun to lie to me.” He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear as she blushed, wanting to hide her head under the pillows. “So that’s why I want to talk about this now. Your lies hurt me and they would hurt our marriage. Can you see that?”
Her face crumpled and she hid it in her hands.
He pried them away. “No, don’t hide from me, mouse. Never hide. You’re my baby girl and you have nothing to hide. I get to see all of you—even when you’re ashamed.”
She was ashamed, and having him name it made it even worse. She fought him for her hands, to keep hiding her face.
He rolled her to her back and pinned her wrists beside her head.
She squeezed her eyes closed, turning her face away.
“Look at me, mouse.”
She panted, still shutting him out.
He waited, expecting her obedience.
Apparently she was incapable of disobeying, because her eyes opened of their own accord and she found herself looking up into his azure stare.
“No more lies, mouse. Promise me.”
A tear leaked out of the corner of her eye. “I promise,” she choked.
“Tonight I will punish you. I will make it memorable so we won’t have to repeat this lesson—ever again.”
It wasn’t fear that tightened her belly, even though she knew she should be afraid. It had something to do with being bared by him—bared to her soul.
I get to see all of you—even when you’re ashamed.
