Read Requested Surrender for Free Online Page A

fell in a bounce behind her shoulders. “I think our little sexting sessions and our date night once a week have given you the wrong impression of me.”
    She didn’t like the firm edge to his voice. It made her wince. And they were so close now, almost nose to nose, that he looked like a menacing blur. “No.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yeah—yes.”
    “Good, then here’s how this is going to go. You are going to keep quiet and do as I tell you. You speak only when you are asked to speak.”
    Her heart pounded and she wasn’t sure whether this was one of those times so she nodded.
    “You’ve already given me a list of all your ‘dos and don’ts’. I hope you were paying attention during those romantic candlelit dinners as much as I was.”
    Oh boy, she hadn’t. She’d been too busy trying to impress him. And when that thought came to her, so did another. Had she upped her game in the do or don’t department to excite him? That sounded like something she’d do. With her little to no attention span, and her hell yeah, put off today what you may get to tomorrow attitude she was probably deep in the doo right now. She needed to pay attention. This time when he spoke she was not only listening, but she was reading his lips as an added precaution. 
    “I know we covered”—he cocked his head to the side and contemplated for a second—“What did you call it—your get-out-of-David’s-jail password?—but we both know it’s a safe word and I insist you use it if you ever need to. You remember what yours is, don’t you?”
    Yes. She thought she nodded, but she wasn’t sure.
    “Say it.”
    “Cowbell.”
    His grip eased on her arms. Of course he was relaxing. He had nothing to freak out over. Not like her.
    “You’re so stiff.” He leaned down and pressed the side of his face against her temple. His warmth was comforting. “Are you worried?”
    In his present mood she was sticking to the truth. No matter what. Squeezing her lids shut, she admitted, “Yes.”
    “Good.”
    Her eyes snapped open when he let her go. “But—”
    “Lacy,” he drew her name out like Lai-cee and waited. Staring at her. She knew what he was doing. He was daring her to continue talking and when she didn’t, he said, “You’re beginning to understand. Now, take off your clothes.”
    She understood all right. She should have been paying better attention. She should have never deceived him. She should have never started dating him in the first place. You knew bad things would happen. She threw her blouse toward the chair but she was in such a snit that it sailed right over it.
    “Temper, temper.”
    When she heard that annoying warning, she kicked off her shoes and nearly ripped her skirt yanking it down. She couldn’t flop herself fast enough over that stool to get paddled, that was for sure. Fuck the bad. The sooner she dealt with it the sooner she’d get back the old David. The nice and charming date night guy who made her laugh.
    When she was naked she didn’t say anything. She knew if she wasn’t careful she wouldn’t have to speak. He’d know how she was feeling. So better he think she’s being flippant than what she really was...nervous as hell. With shoulders back she made sure her body language spoke volumes as she gave him a there, are you happy now , pose.
    It was as if she’d spoken the words out loud when he replied, “No. This doesn’t make me happy.” He picked up the paddle and slapped it a couple of times against his palm. “In fact, you behaving like each of your friends is frustrating. First with the cutsie idea that I should return The Queen Anne—that move had Ethan’s charming little wife written all over it—and now this?” He pointed at her with the paddle and swept it in a head to toe wave. “This reminds me of Jo Nehr. Bratty and belligerent. When are you going to learn to be yourself around me? That’s what I want to know.”
    Since she’d really never been asked to be herself