Page 228 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

Well, that’s what she told herself anyway. But part of her was still a love-starved little girl that wanted someone to lean on, someone to love and cherish her. Reggie had this feeling that Alex McKenzie could be that someone, and that scared her to death.

She’d just got out of a terrible relationship. She wasn’t looking for another one.

No, thank you.

Kelly added her loud agreement to Alex’s. Reggie gave in to the combined pressure. After saying good night to Colin and Alex, she rose to follow Kelly out of the room. Colin stood and gathered up some plates, taking them into the kitchen. She paused in the doorway, turning back to Alex.

“Thanks for all your help today. I really appreciate it.” He’d even called someone to go and tow her car for her. She guessed there wouldn’t be much left of her tiny nest egg after she paid for the tire to be fixed.

“You’re welcome. They’ll call you when it’s ready to be collected. Oh, and Reagan? No running until that cough has gone, understand me?”

Reggie narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you threatening me?”

“Little one, it’s not a threat, it’s a promise.”

“You have no say over what I do, Mr. McKenzie.” Reggie kept her voice cool and remote.

“I disagree, sweetheart. You’re on my land, staying with my manager, and therefore my responsibility. I will not have you abusing yourself while you are here.”

“I don’t a-abuse myself!” she sputtered out. That damn eyebrow of his rose again. Couldn’t he keep it under control?

“Don’t you? If you were mine, I’d have you over my knee right now for the way you’ve been treating yourself.”

“Ex-excuse me?” Surely she’d misheard him. He couldn’t mean . . .

“If you were mine, and you’d traveled for days while feeling ill, not to mention that you started this trip without having your car checked over, I would put you over my knee and warm your ass. You’d do well to remember that.” With that said, he started clearing the table, leaving Reggie shocked, confused, and weirdly intrigued.

Chapter Three

Striding toward the stables, Alex heard someone coughing. Following the chesty sound, his suspicions were confirmed as he came across Reagan attempting to lift a saddle onto a horse that was far too tall for her short reach.

“Just what do you think you’re doing, little one?” he asked sternly.

He hadn’t seen her much since she’d arrived a few days ago. He’d been attempting to keep his distance, even though he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

“Ahh,” Reggie screamed, dropping the saddle right on top of her foot. She grabbed her foot, hopping around. Suddenly, she tripped and fell backward into some hay.

“Ow!” she cried out.

Moving quickly, he picked her up, holding her against his chest as he carried her out of the stall.

“What the hell did you think you were doing?” Reggie finally sputtered out. “You damn well scared me to death!”

Alex frowned at her. “I don’t appreciate that sort of language, Reagan. You had a good education. I’m sure you can find other words in your vocabulary to use that aren’t vulgar.”

She glared up at him, then started coughing. He headed toward Colin and Kelly’s place.

“Where are you taking me? Put me down,” she demanded.

“No, I need to check your foot.”

Reggie shook her head. “It’s fine. I’ll be okay. I’m going for a ride.”

“No, you’re not.”

“Excuse me?” she asked as he walked up the stairs to the front porch.

“The only place you are going, young lady, is back to bed for a nap. Just what did you think you were doing, trying to saddle up Petrol by yourself?”

---