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I sorted through the box of thimbles, choosing several that perfectly matched my vision. Then I studied the figurines. Along with miniature people, there were a variety of animals and individual saltshakers. There were over a dozen I was sure I could use. I felt like I’d won the lottery. I contemplated asking what kind of discount I could receive if I bought the entire collection. Suddenly, someone seized my arm in a tight grip. I jerked and cried out, but when I turned around, I saw it was Giorgio. His eyes were hard, and his face was red with anger. He didn’t say a word, he just started pulling me toward the door.
“Stop. I need to buy these things.”
“What you need is a goddamn spanking.”
My breath caught, and my traitorous cock responded. I knew Giorgio was furious with me, but as cliché as it might be, his anger made him even hotter. I imagined him putting me over his knee right there in the fucking store and holding me down as he spanked me, not stopping until I begged him to.
“I didn’t know where you’d gone, and you didn’t answer your phone. You’ve got to fucking take this seriously.”
“Shit. I’m sorry. I get spacey when I start daydreaming about an art project. I should have texted you before I went inside.”
“Do you have any idea what it was like to realize you’d disappeared?”
“Wait, did you think… Oh no.”
“We’ll discuss this in the car.”
The man I’d seen behind the counter approached us. He was glaring at Giorgio. It probably looked like he was trying to abduct me. “Is there a problem, sir?”
I shook my head. “We’re fine, thank you. We just had a misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?” Giorgio muttered. At least he was keeping his voice low now. “Fuck right. You misunderstood how serious the situation is.”
“Maybe I would understand better if you’d tell me everything you know.” I turned away from him and looked over the figurines once more. I shouldn’t have disappeared on him, but he didn’t have to treat me like a naughty child—even if it was hot.
“You should never have left the coffee shop.”
“I saw this store when we parked, and I thought they might have some cool things, so I decided to look in the window while I waited for you.
“You were inside, not looking in the window where I at least could have seen you.”
I sighed. “I meant to text you. I really am sorry. When I get an idea for a project or something gels, I just… I lose myself in it.
“You need to be on guard all the time.”
He was right, but I didn’t want to admit it. “If I hadn’t come in here, I never would have found these.” I lifted my hand showing him the objects I’d collected.
“I know you have pieces you need to complete, but—”
“Don’t you fucking dare dismiss my art.” I knew from his appreciative remarks in my studio that he didn’t discount what I did, but I’d spent too many years fighting my mother, stepfather, and family friends, convincing them I was never going to be a suit-wearing business major. I was going to be exactly who I wanted to be. I was never going to be controlled by someone else’s vision of me.
Giorgio let me go and took a step back. “Gather what you need, pay for it, and then we’re going home. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir.” He didn’t react to the venom in my voice.
I took my time sorting through the items in front of me. Giorgio stood perfectly still, his face neutral. He would’ve been the perfect picture of a bodyguard if he’d looked a bit more polished and less like a predator. Maybe if he was wearing a suit instead of the worn sweater and jeans he had on. Giorgio in a suit. Fuck, that was a hot image. Why did I want the man no matter how much he pissed me off?
When I was done, I headed to the counter. Giorgio followed so close behind me I could almost feel the heat of him.
Once I’d paid, he gestured for me to walk ahead of him. “Go straight to the car.”
I hated how much I liked his commanding voice.
He unlocked the doors, and I climbed into the passenger seat. “I’m coming back to look around the shop more thoroughly another day,” I said as he turned the key in the ignition.
His only response was a grunt. Neither of us spoke on the drive home. When he cut the engine in the cabin’s driveway, I reached for the door handle.
“No.”
I glared at him. “I’ve had enough of the caveman shit.”
“I’m not playing games with you. My job is to protect you, and I’m going to do my job. You’ll wait here while I check out the cabin. There’s a gun in the glove compartment if anyone approaches the car.”
