Page 95 of Redline Baby

"You're mean."

"Possibly."

I glare.

Soren's thumb strokes my temple. "If you actually need the punishment to end, what do you say?"

"Red."

"And what happens?"

"You come in. It ends."

"Immediately."

I nod.

"Are you saying Red?"

I check. The loneliness. The dark. The sore feeling. The fact that I really, really want him here.

"No."

"Okay." His expression softens. "Then Daddy is going back outside."

Tragedy.

"I'll be right there. You won't be alone."

"Okay."

"Like a good little boy."

"Yes, Daddy."

I make the sigh enormous. Theatrical. A profound expression of injustice. He notices. Of course he notices.

"Good boy."

Then he reaches out and pinches my cheek.

"Hey!"

Soren laughs. Actually laughs. Then he gets to his feet. "Good night, baby."

"Night, Daddy."

He leaves. The door remains cracked. Amber light returns to the floor. I hear him settle into the armchair outside. I lie there knowing I deserve this. I was extra naughty. The bill has arrived exactly on schedule. I shift on the mattress. My backside complains. The room is warm. The covers are soft. Daddy is on the other side of the wall.

I am not tired. All of this is terrible. Another few minutes pass. My throat starts tightening again. The darkness feels bigger than it did before.

"Daddy?"

His shadow moves almost immediately. He reappears in the doorway.

"If I call, will you come?" My voice has gone wet around the edges. "Like... if I actually need you."

Soren looks at me for a long moment. Then his face softens.