Expecting it All (Punishment Pit #7) - Livia Grant Page 0,22

word she uttered. He was across the room, the island still between them, but she could have sworn she could see tears glistening in her gentle giant's eyes.

Maria looked as though she wanted to continue to argue, but thankfully Rachel's mom came over to give Rachel a tight hug. "I love you," she said. "We'll go bake cookies at my house." Rachel was grateful when her mom looked up at Derek with a broad smile for her son-in-law and added, "You're in great hands here."

When her mom pulled back, Rachel mouthed, "Thank you."

After their unneeded guests had left, an awkward hush fell over the kitchen. Derek looked as though he couldn't decide what he wanted to say.

Rachel was tempted to fall into their old dynamic; play the naughty girl and let her Daddy toast her bottom for being so bossy, but it didn't feel right. As much as she longed to restore the intimacy to their marriage, it had to be on their new terms.

"So…" she hedged.

"So..." As did her husband.

"Michael needs a bath. I thought we could give him one together after he wakes up from his nap."

"Rach..." Anger was flashing in his eyes. It scared her.

She barged ahead. "I was hoping you could help me figure out the electric pump. I want to start pumping milk so you can take some of his feedings."

"Rachel." That one was more authoritative.

"I haven't braved taking him out to the grocery store yet, either. Maybe you can—"

"Rachel Lynn Parker!"

That shut her up. It was his Daddy Dom voice. She was surprised to feel the flutter of her insides melting from his dominance. She'd missed this part of her husband so much.

"Better. Now, before you say another word, I have something important to say."

He looked so serious. It was rare that she couldn't read her husband, but in that moment she truly didn't know what was running through his head. He moved into action, quickly making his way around the island. She stood rooted to the spot until Derek enveloped her in his beefy arms; hugging her to him so hard he was forcing all of the air out of her lungs. He clung to her as if she were his lifeline. She cherished his guttural groan when she let her knee track up between his legs to rub against his thighs, coming into light contact with his heavy sac and the long cock she'd missed so much.

He surprised her when he slipped his fingers through her thick, long hair and used it as a handle to yank her head back, forcing her to face him, their faces only inches apart. The intensity of his caramel brown eyes got her heart beating faster.

"Now that I have your attention, I have to tell you how proud I am of you. Not just for being a wonderful mother to my son, but I'm so proud of how self-assured you've become."

She glowed from his praise, right up until his grin turned to a look of sheer dominance. "Too bad you had to go and top from the bottom, and earn yourself a nice, long, naughty girl paddling."

His words sounded angry, but the glint in his eyes disclosed how turned on he was. For the first time since Michael's birth Rachel felt a spark of sexuality, but she hadn't been cleared for sex yet by her OBGYN. She was just about to remind her husband when he clarified. "I've missed you so much that I'd love to fuck you into next week, but since we can't do that, I'll have to settle for paddling this naughty little ass of yours." His left hand palmed her rounded butt through her yoga pants.

Her legs almost gave out under her. She'd been spared any serious punishments for months now. The thought of returning to a life of discipline both excited and scared her.

"But Daddy, I've been a good girl," she pouted.

He wasn't to be deterred. "Grab the baby monitor. We'll be able to hear when Michael wakes up. You'll be giving him his bath with a hot little bottom."

His love flooded Rachel, flowing through her veins, returning her to being his baby girl, even if it was only for an hour. "Yes, Daddy."

Chapter Five

Derek

"How long are you going to be gone for?" Derek hated the quaver in his own voice. He was a heavyweight body builder, who had had no trouble at all taking down a three-hundred pound perp earlier in the week, yet the mere thought of being home