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“Just so there’s no misunderstanding, you’ll receive a spanking every morning to remind you brats are not welcome, and that will continue for as long as it takes. Clear?”
“Yes, Sir,” she breathed, her stomach flipping.
“As things come up, more rules might be added, and you’ll follow them. Clear?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“There are two more rules. Tell me what you think they are. If you get them right, we can move forward.”
Dropping her eyes and staring down at his fingers wrapped around her hand, she thought for a minute, then looked up.
“Do as you say, and trust you.”
Breaking into a smile, he nodded his head.
“That’s correct. Do as I say and trust me,” he repeated. “Finish breakfast, then I’ll take you to your apartment and you can pick up whatever you need for the week. We’ll be leaving early this afternoon, and Steph, when we arrive, I’ll be taking you straight down to the basement.”
Chapter 36
Adark gray sky and gusty wind gave the air a chill, but as the drive from the city continued, the ominous clouds gave way to blue sky. By the time Marco reached the mountain road, only patchy cotton clouds floated overhead.
Though Steph was elated, and Marco had been tender and caring when it came to her injuries, he’d made it clear he’d be taking her to the basement the moment they arrived at the lodge. For the entire trip, she could think of nothing but his wicked promise.
The driveway came into view.
Her pulse ticked up.
Realizing she had the perfect excuse to stall for a few minutes, she asked him to pull over. Wordlessly guiding the BMW X7 to the side of the road and turning off the engine, he looked across at her expectantly.
“Thank you,” she purred, leaning across and pecking him on the cheek. “I want to check on my car. It’s parked just through those trees.”
“We’ll bring it up to the house, but that will have to wait until Joe arrives. He has your keys.”
“I just want to make sure it’s all right. I’ll only be a second.”
“You’re not going in there by yourself,” he declared, unbuckling his seatbelt. “You could sprain your other ankle tripping over a tree branch.”
“Ye of little faith!”
“I’m not taking any chances!” he exclaimed, climbing from the car.
Quickly walking around the SUV, he helped her out, and they made their way through the trees to the classic Porsche.
“Thank you, Marco,” Steph said gratefully, eyeing the thick black tarp. “There’s so much crap over the cover my poor car would have been a terrible mess.”
Marco didn’t respond.
Turning around, she caught her breath.
He held a long, thin stick.
“I’m glad you asked me to stop,” he declared, raising it in the air. “I was planning to hunt for a twig like this one. I have plenty of crops and straps, but there’s nothing quite like a switch to bring home a point.”
Butterflies wildly fluttering in her stomach, she stared at him at a loss for words.
“That’s a first,” he remarked with a grin.
“What is?”
