Page 81 of Silk Sheets

“Okay, just spit it out,” I irritably said, stopping in front of him, and when our gazes met, he seemed rather reluctant—and confused. “Chase, you won’t kiss me. You won’t evenlookatme.” My voice cracked, feeling hurt by the fact that he could be disappointed in me. “Is it about me drinking—”

“You know it is,” he sternly cut me off and I swallowed an uncomfortable tension down my throat. “You came home drunk, Dakota. You signed a contract and defied our rules.”

“Tipsy at most—”

“I’ve already warned you about interrupting me,” he cut me off, and I immediately shut my mouth. I nodded—apologetically—before lowering myself to my knees in front of him.

“We’ll discuss this when Logan and Kaden get home.”

I could feel bile rising in my throat as a sting shot through my heart.

“Do you understand?”

I nodded. “Yes. But please, let me explain,” I pleaded, and something told me he was holding back a storm. Every second he spent being disappointed in me felt like a blade to my heart. Icouldn’t wait till tonight.

He finally gave me the go-ahead, and I sighed in relief even though my voice was tremulous. I explained myself, trying to keep my composure. “I never intended on drinking because I knew the rules, and I didn’t want to disappoint either of you.”

He seemed torn, and I burned with tears as he stared down at me with so much disappointment.I hated it.

“I know I’m not the submissive that you all need, and I know I’m difficult, but I’m trying,” I reassured him. “I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we have, I promise. And I hate—” I cut myself off, exhaling shakily.I’m not going to cry.“I hate that you’re looking at me like this right now.”

Something flashed behind his eyes, and he pulled his hand from mine, gently cupping the side of my face. I leaned into his touch, feeling his thumb gently glide over my cheekbone.

“We allowed you to go because we trusted you. You were irresponsible.”

I opened my mouth to speak but immediately shut it, remembering not to interrupt him.

“Ignorance is not an excuse.”

I simply nodded in understanding. He slightly tilted his head to the right, trailing his eyes over my face, and I lifted my hand to his forearm.

“I’m sorry.”

A beat passed between us. “It won’t happen again.”

I immediately shook my head. “Never again, I swear.”

“Kaden might need some more convincing.”

My heart sank, and I gave him the best puppy dog eyes that I could as I looked up at him. “Please, can you talk to him? Explain to him what happened.”

Genuine fear sparked inside of me, and Chase instantly picked it up.

He was reluctant, but when he simply nodded, a broad smile spread across my lips, and I leaped up, straddling his lap. I swung my arms around his neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I beamed, feeling his arms around me tighten. I pulled back, holding his face in my hands. “And we’ll never have this conversation again because I won’t ever be irresponsible again.”

“You’re right. We won’t. Because you aren’t allowed to go to any parties until we say otherwise.”

My face dropped, and every bone in my body burned with a protest, but I took a deep breath in and slowly exhaled, saying: “I understand.” My arms slipped around his neck once again as I shifted closer. “Can I kiss you now?”

His eyes dropped to my lips and he nodded. “Yes, you can.”

I smiled, leaning in to feel the ache in my chest being soothed by his warmth. I tightened my arms around him, pressing my chest to his as his hands slid down to grip my hips.

I broke the kiss, meeting his gaze hesitantly. “Please, don’t be disappointed in me, Chase.”

My voice held an unfamiliar tremor, and I didn’t understand why him being disappointed in me hurt so badly.

He gently held the sides of my neck as he pulled me closer, planting a soft kiss on my forehead. My eyes fluttered closed as I exhaled, lifting both my hands to hold onto his forearms.