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The sense of relief on her face brought a smile to mine. “Exactly.”

“Well then.” I pulled her onto her feet, sweeping her into my arms. “I guess when there’s a need to act on my desire to discipline you, I shouldn’t be concerned.” As I pushed her against the edge of the dresser facing the mirror, she grumbled and was almost able to free herself from my hold.

“You can’t use my words against me.”

“And you can’t have it both ways. You went into my closet and took a ring that I might or might not have been prepared to give to someone very special. I consider that theft.”

“I didn’t steal anything.”

Around her and especially when she was caught in the act, I found it extremely difficult to keep a straight face. “I caught you red-handed. Literally.” I held up the brush with one hand while jerking her dress up to her waist with the other. Even though her bottom was exposed in her delicious purple thong, I yanked it down to her knees for good measure.

“I take back everything I said.”

“That I’m a brooding asshole?”

“No, I’ll keep that in my repertoire.”

I didn’t waste time other than to twirl the handle before bringing the thick wood against her right butt cheek. She yelped appropriately and gripped the edge of the dresser.

“Rules do have their place in my world.”

“As I told you before, I don’t like your world very much.”

“Completely understandable, but that doesn’t release you from your sins.” I smacked her bottom several times, moving with precision from one side to the other. Every time I lifted my gaze, she was watching me in an entirely different way than I was used to seeing.

She’d always searched my soul, but at this point, she was hoping for a sense of certainty that I’d be a good father to our child.

My God. I was going to be a father all over again.

The thought was one of the most incredible feelings a man could have. A true honor and for a man considered by many to be a monster, a gift I didn’t deserve.

My heart was full while still aching, fearful of what we’d face with Mina.

But we’d do so together as a family.

When I slipped the bristles of the brush between Isabel’s legs, she shuddered audibly and the sound was sweet music. That didn’t mean I was finished with her spanking. I was dutiful in my correction of her bad behavior, providing her with a thorough round of discipline. Including enjoying the bright blush of rose on both sides of her bottom.

She wiggled, but didn’t try to run. As I lifted my gaze again and even as I continued to spank her, I was captured once again by her extreme beauty.

By the joys she’d brought me.

The reflection of light when I’d only believed darkness would prevail.

And the love that I’d witnessed through her eyes with my daughter and the dog I really hadn’t wanted to bring into my house.

We were family and in realizing how much I savored every minute of the time spent and the happiness we’d created together, I also understood even more how much I had to lose.

After caressing her tender skin, I snapped my wrist and the sound caused another sweet moan to slip past her lips. I wasn’t finished just yet, taking my time smacking one side of her bottom then the other, her back arching farther with each swat. She smiled, and I realized this woman could destroy me in too many ways to count.

My hand fell to my side and her breathing hitched as she stood up straight. After managing to place the brush on the dresser, I pressed my body against hers. Needing the closeness.

Needing to feel the electricity shared between us.

I lowered my head, kissing her shoulder.

“What are we doing?” she whispered.

“We’re becoming a family.”