Page 9 of Melt For Us, Daddy
Wrong, wrong, this is all wrong.
“Dee. Stop.”
Her woman’s laughter vibrated against the inside of her thigh, a low chuckle that normally sent shivers up Ivy’s spine.
Not this time.
“Dee. I said stop.”
“Babygirl, I’m just getting started.”
Soft, warm lips pressed against her skin, closer and closer to where she should have been quivering with need. Anger, fear, and a dozen other emotions she couldn’t name slammed into her with every kiss.
“Red! Fucking red, Cordelia!”
Pushing slowly to her feet, Cordelia took a step back, her hands up to show she wasn’t touching her anymore and her beautiful green eyes full of worry. “Okay, baby. I stopped. I’m sorry I didn’t listen before.” Her voice was soft, soothing, and it only pissed Ivy off even more. She didn’t want to be soothed, not when she had so many reasons to be angry.
“Ivy. Baby. What’s wrong? Talk to me.”
She should. She knew she should talk to her. Lay out all her anger, her worries, her fears.
But the words wouldn’t come. They tangled in her chest, refusing to budge. Everything just felt so big, like if she gave voice to what was inside her it might break her in ways that could never be repaired.
Break them in ways they could never put back together.
“Nothing. I need to finish breakfast.”
Eyes narrowing, Cordelia took a step forward. “You don’t safeword for nothing, Ivy Mae. Turn the griddle off, then go sit your butt on the sofa so we can talk about what just happened. Breakfast can wait.”
The hint of anger in Cordelia’s tone threatened to break her. She really had the nerve to be pissed off when she was the one who’d lied? The one who’d kept secrets? The one who’d refused to listen?
Sliding from the counter, Ivy ignored the order and scooped the slightly burned pancake from the griddle and tossed it in the trash can.
Glad I didn’t waste any chocolate chips on that one.
“Ivy Mae. Turn that griddle off right now.”
“Your coffee should be ready. I haven’t had a chance to make it for you, yet.” Even as she said the words, her stomach churned. None of this was right. But she couldn’t bring herself to make that damn coffee with exactly the amount of milk and sugar Cordelia liked knowing the woman she loved had lied to her.
“Ivy. Baby.” The firmness left Cordelia’s voice, turning it soft and pleading, tearing at Ivy’s chest. “We need to talk about whatever this is. Please turn the griddle off.”
“Fine!” Wrenching the knob to the left, she turned it off and whirled on Cordelia, her mind and heart both racing. “I’m going out.”
“Like hell you are, little girl.” Snagging Ivy’s arm, Cordelia pulled her close, her eyes blazing a bright green that normally would have made Ivy tremble with the delicious fear of a submissive who knows she’s in big trouble. But now, it only added to the fury bubbling in her veins. “You are staying right here and we are going to talk. That is non-negotiable. What is up for negotiation is whether that discussion happens with you over my knee or not. Your choice, blossom.”
Part of her wanted the spanking. Maybe a good punishment would cleanse all big, messy emotions enough for her to think clearly.
But the thought of letting Cordelia touch her, forget punishing her just then made her stomach roll.
“No.”
Mouth hanging open, Cordelia just stared at her. “No?”
Feeling bolder now, Ivy wrenched her arm from Cordelia’s grasp. “No, we aren’t going to talk right now. And no, you sure as hell aren’t going to spank me. I am going out, and I’ll see you at the club tonight for our shift.”
“Ivy!”
Without even bothering to change her clothes, Ivy bolted for the door, grabbing her purse and keys on the way. And for the first time in over two years, she left home without her collar around her neck.
