he places the form back in his filing cabinet. Once he hangs up, he shrugs.
“I’m giving you one more chance, Winter. Don’t screw it up.”
The ride home from school, I try to get a read from August. He’s quiet and calm. I don’t get the usual razzing from him. It unnerves me. I agreed to punishment. He’ll probably make me do something stupid like scrub his already immaculate baseboards. He’s silent as we park and ride up the elevator. I want to go hide out in Callie’s room, but just as I make a beeline for the door, he stops me.
“Drop your things off. Get into something comfortable. Then, come in the living room so we can talk,” he instructs.
Just yesterday I would’ve balked at his orders, but I feel like I owe him right now. He saved my ass from getting in-school suspension and if I have to do some menial task to make him happy, I will. And if I have to do it while biting my tongue, so be it. I can handle anything he sends my way.
I change into an oversized black sweatshirt and a pair of gray shorts that say “PINK” across the butt. My socks are rainbow-striped knee-highs that don’t match my outfit, but I don’t care. If I’m going to have to clean, I don’t have to look pretty doing it.
By the time I enter the living room, August has lost his jacket and tie. His sleeves have been rolled up, revealing his toned forearms.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I say, looking around. Whatever it is he’ll have me do won’t be hard because his condo is flawless. Maybe he’ll make me clean Callie’s messy room. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind organizing all her crap.
He starts unbuckling his belt, a wicked glint in his eyes, and I freeze. Of all the times I imagined rolling around in the sheets with him, never did I think it would actually happen. But instead of removing his pants, he yanks out his belt with a swish. I stare with my jaw practically unhinged when he wraps the leather around his fist.
“Bend over the back of the couch,” he instructs, his voice cold. “I get to punish your ass for saving your ass.”
My heart stammers in my chest. “You’re going to spank me?”
His grin is wolfish. “Your worthless daddy never did. Someone has to step up and be the man where you’re concerned.”
I clench my jaw, my first inclination to defend my dad, but then I remember why I’m here. With a challenging stare, I waltz over to the back of the couch and bend over the back of it, making sure to watch him over my shoulder. His eyes rake over my ass, lust burning in them. I push my ass out further to tease him. If I’m getting punished, I may as well punish him too.
“Should I pull down my panties?” I taunt, hoping to rile him.
The leather of his belt rubs between my inner thighs. “Do you want to?”
Heat burns through me at his husky question, forcing me to look away. I’m nodding before I can stop myself. He doesn’t wait for me to do it myself and instead slides his thumbs into the waistband of my shorts under my sweatshirt before dragging the shorts and my panties down. The cool air kisses my exposed flesh and I shiver. The material drops to the floor at my ankles and I step out of the shorts and panties. His sharp intake of air causes heat to pool between my thighs.
“I won’t take it easy on you,” he warns, his voice a deep rumble as he teases my naked flesh with the belt.
“I don’t expect you to,” I breathe.
Whap!
No warning, just a hard whip to my ass. I cry out in surprise, but then his palm soothes away the hurt. As I get used to his warm, firm touch, he pulls away and hits me again.
Whap!
It burns, but it’s not horrible, especially when he rubs my butt again after. He stays away from my pussy and my crack, but I wish he’d venture over there. I’m practically dripping with the need to be touched there.
Whap!
This time, I choke on a sob. It’s like I’m suddenly hit with the realization of my situation. I’m eighteen years old and I’ve been kicked out of my dad’s house. He left me to fend for myself, knowing I don’t have a job because I’m so focused on school. Knowing that it’s freaking snowing