Page 233 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 1

“You two lovebirds have fun,” she teased. “Have her back in bed by ten, Colin.”

“Oh, I will,” he promised.

Kelly was giggling again as they left. Reagan sighed. What would it be like to have someone like Colin in her life?

“I don’t like seeing you sad.”

She startled. How had she forgotten that he was there? She turned to find him watching her with concern and plastered on a big smile.

“No, don’t do that.”

“Do what?” she asked.

He reached out and traced a finger across her lips. “Don’t pretend to be all right. Maybe you can’t tell me everything, but just be truthful with what you do say.”

She stared at him, flabbergasted. Okay, she needed arrogant Alex back. Because insightful Alex . . . well, she might easily fall for him.

Hard.

“I won’t keep you,” she said. “I’m sure you need to get home.”

“I’ll help you clean up.”

“That’s not necessary,” she replied quickly. “I have it.” She needed to get rid of him. Right now.

“It is necessary, and it is pointless to argue with me, my mind is made up.”

And he was back to being infuriating. Thank goodness for that. To her shock, he really did help her clear the table. He even loaded the dishwasher after she’d scraped and rinsed. She’d cleaned as she cooked, so there wasn’t a lot to do.

As they finished, she turned to him. “I didn’t think you were the type to do the dishes.”

He leaned against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “I might be old-fashioned in some ways, but not when it comes to things like this. I know how to clean, I can cook the basics. I know my views on what I want in a relationship aren’t necessarily what most people want. But they’re my beliefs and desires.”

“Like what?” she asked.

“Well, I want a relationship like my parents had. My dad was the head of the household. He was in charge. But he never used that responsibility or power to hurt my mother. He would never have done anything to make her feel like she was less. Because she wasn’t. She was the most important person in his life. All he wanted was for her to be happy and healthy.”

It sounded amazing. There had to be a catch.

“Anything she needed, he wanted to provide. But he also knew that to keep her safe and healthy, she needed rules. Limitations. And if she broke those rules, then he would punish her.”

She winced. “What did he do to her?” Had he grown up in an abusive household?

“Well, for instance, my mom had a lead foot. She’d drive too fast, forget to put on her seatbelt. If she got caught speeding, then my dad would spank her.”

“You saw him spank her?”

“Of course not. It was always in private.” He eyed her. “You look horrified.”

“Your dad hit your mom.”

“No. Never. He adored and cherished the ground she walked on. And she loved him. I heard my mom talking to my aunt about it once. She said it made her feel safe, knowing that he would always be there. That he cared enough to pay attention.”

She was so confused. She should condemn his dad. As a kid, she’d been hit for the smallest things. Taking food she shouldn’t, even though she’d been starving. But mostly, she’d been screamed at, called names, her hair pulled, rejected and unloved.

“Reagan . . .” He reached for her, but she shied back. “You’re scared of me now.” He looked upset by that. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you this. It’s too soon. I just . . . I feel this pull toward you and I never want to be anything but upfront about my needs.”

“I asked. You don’t need to apologize.”

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