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He reached for my chin, cupping it gently and turned me to face him. I met his piercing blue gaze and there was genuine concern hidden within their glimmering depths. It was as if the world around us faded into the background, leaving only our intertwined gazes in focus. I couldn’t deny the spark of something unspoken, something that hinted at a connection beyond friendship between the two of us.
But what about Connor?
I’d seen the look in his eyes when I walked down the aisle. The outside world had ceased to exist; it was just the two of us in that moment, and I couldn’t shake how perfect that had felt, too.
Connor, with his carefree and light-hearted spirit, had a way of making me laugh and enjoy life’s little pleasures. On the other hand, Caden’s enigmatic and mysterious demeanor intrigued me, drawing me into a world of secrets and depth. A deep sense of confusion began to brew within me as I tried to figure out what my heart truly desired.
“Do I need to put you back over my knee, Anastasia?” Caden said softly, and I shook my head, breaking my train of thought as I grappled between both brothers.
I smiled, trying to cover up whatever emotion might be written all over my face in case it gave away what I was thinking, but his expression remained the same, firm and unyielding, and it made my pussy clench hard as his eyes burned into mine.
“I’ll stay,” I replied softly, the softness in my voice foreign to my ears.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
Caden stood up, his movements purposeful, and gently placed a cell phone on the nearby table. He looked at me with a solemn expression.
“Anastasia,” he began, his tone serious, “if anything goes wrong while I’m gone, I want you to call my sister, Ada. She’ll make sure you’re safe. Her number is already saved on the phone.”
I nodded, biting my lip and feeling a bit bashful at what had just happened between us. “I’ll call her if I need to, Caden. Please, be careful out there. Don’t get hurt. There’s been enough bloodshed today.”
He offered a reassuring smile, though I could see the worry in his eyes. “I will. And don’t worry, I’ll come back for you.”
For some reason, his promise of return brought me comfort.
His words, as simple as they were, wrapped around my heart and warmth spread through me, accompanied by a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. It was as if a protective shield had been placed around me, and for the first time since this ordeal began, I felt a glimmer of hope.
“Thank you, Caden,” I said, attempting to make my voice sound sincere. “I’ll be here, waiting for you.”
I swallowed hard, hoping I was successful at sounding genuine.
I wasn’t actually going to stay here, but I wanted him to believe I would. I had a family to return to, a position to take over, and people to lead. I couldn’t just sit here on myverysore bottom waiting for him to return.
I wasn’t going to tell him that, though. I’d definitely been spanked enough already.
“Good girl,” he murmured, and my heart felt like it had swelled at least three times its size. I swallowed loud enough for him to hear, and his burning gaze lit my cheeks on fire with unexpected warmth. His praise had taken me by surprise, and for the briefest of seconds, I wished I’d actually earned it.
With a deep breath, he looked back at me, his expression contemplative, like he wanted to believe me, but he wasn’t certain whether he could. He gave me a tight-lipped smile before leaving the room, but he didn’t leave the house just yet.
Patiently, I sat there on my scalded backside as I listened to him move around the house. When he was finally ready, he walked back into the room as he was tucking a 9mm into a holster on his belt.
“Anastasia,” he said, his voice soft, “I need you to understand the gravity of the situation. This is not a game, and there are real dangers out there. If I’m not back by tonight, call my sister, and she’ll ensure that you remain safe.”
“I promise, Caden. I’ll do exactly as you say,” I offered, my own smile tight lipped.
I don’t know why I felt guilty. I shouldn’t let a little spanking get to me, nor the contemplative look in his eyes as he studied me, maybe looking for answers of his own.
I gave him nothing.
He stared at me for a moment longer before nodding once. “Good. I’ll be back soon.”
Without another word, he walked out the front door, and it clicked shut behind him.
Sitting there in the living room, I felt my defiance slowly creep back in as the stinging punishment began to fade. Thoughts swirled in my head, reminding me of my own free will. It wasn’t the first time I’d been in a tough spot, but I couldn’t let my guard down. Caden’s orders were clear, and I had to remember that I was safest here. Yet, a spark of rebellion still simmered beneath the surface.
I pushed myself up off the couch and returned to the bedroom. I entered the massive walk-in closet and stared at myself in the large floor-to-ceiling mirror.
Gazing at my reflection, I couldn’t help but notice the flush that colored my cheeks. My eyes held a mix of emotions, a blend of defiance and something else, something I couldn’t quite put into words.
