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The spanking intrigued Matt…something light and fun, just enough to turn Madison’s skin pink while he watched. Hell, yeah. But he would never do anything like that to her now. Without Jack telling him, he knew she was too fragile.
“These same basic principles apply out of the bedroom. Focus on what she needs; that always comes first,” the Cajun continued. “You have to bathe her in positive reinforcement. Convince her you’re there with and for her.”
Matt wasn’t opposed to that…but he knew Madison. That would make her emotionally dependent on him. And what would his twisted head and depraved sex drive do with that? Would he, in the heat of the moment, cross some line they couldn’t come back from?
With great power comes great responsibility.
Stan Lee might not have been the first to say that, but he’d been a genius.
“This is a lot at once. I have to think.”
“If you don’t want to question your sexuality or test my theory right now, I get it. But it would be better for everyone if you stopped worrying about what’s in your head and started focusing on what’s in hers. You’re her last line of defense out here. That makes her safety your responsibility. But you have to care for her psyche, too. So establish some common-sense rules and gently but firmly enforce boundaries for her. Commend her when she complies, withhold your praise or reward when she doesn’t. It’s not enough to try to make her safe; do your best to ensure shefeelssafe. Once you’ve taken care of her, the rest will figure itself out.
“I’ve thrown a lot at you at once, and there’s too much to tell you in a few minutes’ time,” Jack continued with a grimace. “If you’re serious about giving this a try, the little gold key on the ring I just handed you opens the door at the end of the hall. In there, you’ll find some lifestyle books for beginners…and lots of toys to help you establish your Dominance.” Jack winked. “Since you’re a whiz with security alarms, I won’t bother with that explanation.” He rattled off the six-digit code. “Everything else around here should be self-explanatory. If you need to contact me, there’s a HAM radio. Good luck…”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
After Jack recorded Madison’s eyewitness statement of Brent’s murder and her harrowing escape in the stairwell, he waved and glided away in his pontoon boat. Matt raised the brim of his hat and looked back at the cabin. He and Madison might be alone here for a day, a week, or a month. Regardless of how long it took for Deke to make a deal, the Cajun had been very clear. She needed safety and emotional security from him. He’d better not fuck it up.
Now if he could just figure out how…
Sighing, he headed back into the cabin and immediately smelled bacon. His stomach rumbled. He caught sight of Madison. She’d braided her hair again, exposing the graceful angles of her face, but she looked pale and drawn as she stood over the stove, tongs in hand, watching the strips sizzle.
“Let me help you,” he offered, tossing his hat on the counter as he tried to slide in front of the pan.
She didn’t budge. “I can cook bacon.”
“I know you can, honey. But I don’t expect you to.”
Madison wouldn’t meet his stare. “It’s fine.”
It wasn’t, and he didn’t appreciate her lie, even if it was white and seemingly polite. She was upset for reasons he didn’t grasp. It wasn’t merely a mood; she’d been cordial—even respectful—to Jack. Except in the most superficial way, Matt knew she was avoiding him.
You two should communicate about everything. Make her tell you what she wants. Especially make her admit how she feels about whatever you’re doing and the two of you together. Be willing to share the same…
He dropped a gentle palm on her shoulder. “Madison?”
When she stiffened, Matt dropped his hand and bit back a curse.
“Do you want eggs?” she asked.
“If you’re making some, sure. I’ll grab you some toast.”
“I got it.” She scrambled eggs in a bowl so hard, her arm shook.
He sighed. “Okay, but I want to talk. You’re upset about something.”
She finally lifted her face to him. Tears sheened her eyes. It took everything inside him not to wrap his arms around her and take away whatever strain he could. But since she didn’t want him touching her, he guessed he’d said or done something to upset her.
“Madison, I know you’re tired and under a lot of strain. I realize I haven’t always done a great job of handling things between us.” He tried to paste on a self-deprecating grin. “My communication style is…shit. I think to myself, and it doesn’t always occur to me to tell you what’s in my head. I’m sorry. We’re going to be here together for a while, so I’ll try to be better.”
She looked at him, a frown etched between her brows. “Do you have any idea why I’m upset?”
Not really, but at least she was talking to him. “Beyond the danger you’re in?”
She scoffed bitterly as she plucked the bacon out of the pan with tongs and laid each strip on a nearby paper towel. “The last few days have honestly felt like a hundred years, so that shit almost seems normal now.”
His heart broke for her. “But it’s not. I’m going to protect you.”
