Page 15 of New Tradition

She nodded. “I just feel like I’m floundering as a submissive and a girlfriend and I feel like that’s not fair to you.”

“Baby girl. I appreciate the honesty. If you’re feeling that way we can work on helping you find your footing, but I can tell you that you’re perfect. You’ve improved my life in ways I didn’t even know it needed to be improved. I can’t imagine not coming home to you at night. I can’t imagine not having you on your knees for me. You’re my perfect treasure, and I’m grateful every day that we found each other. I just need you to keep that in mind for the next few minutes.”

She swallowed. “I guess I’m still in trouble.”

He nodded. “Yep. And I think a punishment will help ground you in the head space I want you in for the rest of the weekend.”

“Fuck. Before you tell me what my punishment is, I need to tell you something.”

He lifted one eyebrow as he stood and stared down at her. “I’m listening.”

“I accepted a meeting with Hirschman on Christmas Day. I was just going to cancel it and not even say anything but now I feel bad.”

His smile was tender. “I appreciate you telling me, but I already knew that. I was just waiting to see what you would do.”

“So I guess you can add that to the list of things to punish me for.”

He chuckled. “I hate to break it to you baby girl, but I think the weather might end up being your punishment for that one.”

“OK. I can live with that.”

He folded his arms, his gaze turning serious. “Tell me, Erin. Why do I get to punish you right now?”

He wasn’t asking her to list her misdeeds, he wanted to hear her reaffirm their dynamic.

She inhaled through her nose and spoke. “You can discipline me because my body is not my own. It belongs to the one who loves me. My mind is forever my own and I give my surrender freely.”

“And who is the one who loves you, baby girl?”

“You are Sir.”