sexier in person than he appeared on the computer screen.
“Ahh, Lori Gold. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, extending his hand.
I bobbed my head and croaked out a small stuttering response while accepting his handshake. “N-Nice to meet you, too.”
Instantly, John took the initiative of carefully sliding the heavy overnight bag off my shoulder. “Why don’t you hop in the front seat while I put your bags in the trunk.” Though his words sounded like a suggestion, his deep tone was laced with the presence of an unyielding authority, and my smile was tentative as I glanced down at his thick, muscular hand. This was the man who would be my dominant for the next seven days? I should’ve asked his glove size before I agreed to this fucking insane idea.
“In my wildest dreams, I never imagined you would’ve lived in such a huge home.”
Bringing my luggage down the narrow hall, he turned his head to meet my gaze. “We raised Jake here, and I just haven’t wanted to move away from the memories.”
“I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth.”
He stopped and bent his head slightly. “My sweet Jeannie died five years ago. But that’s a long sad story, so let’s save it for another time, okay?”
“Of course.” Gazing around his pristine living space, I thought about him being the master of this house while studying the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
“In case you’re concerned about the neighbors looking in, you don’t have to worry. Everyone on this block respects each other’s privacy.”
“To tell you the truth, I was admiring how much sunlight you get in here,” I fibbed, wandering into the kitchen. “Wow! What a great cooking area.”
“Are you hungry? Maybe we could go over a few things while I prepare you some lunch.”
“A few things?” I spun around and stared at the flecks of green and gold in his eager hazel eyes. “You have a list of house rules, don’t you?”
“Indeed,” he said, arching a bushy eyebrow. “I thought we’d talked about that…”
My nod was subtle as I stood silent in front of him. For God’s sake, I was embarrassed to tell this man who towered over me that I needed to use his bathroom. “Um, I need to…”
“I’m sorry for not offering—you probably want to freshen up first. The bathroom is past the first door on the right, and when you’re ready, I’ll show you to your room.”
Walking back down the hall, I glanced into a spacious bedroom and stopped dead in my tracks. The room was tastefully decorated in hues of browns and blues, and I couldn’t stop staring at how everything was neat and in its place. Personal space can say a lot about you, and this seemed to be one hell of a meticulous man. Who knows how long he’d been standing behind me when he finally spoke, but I nearly jumped out of my skin just hearing his deep voice.
“I took the liberty of carrying your bags to the guest room. If you like, we can take a quick walk around the house now, or the tour can be done after lunch. Your choice.”
Thinking I might not have an abundance of options during this seven-day stay, the corners of my lips raised in delight. “Whatever you’re cooking smells delicious, so I’m happy to eat first.”
“There aren’t too many little girls who don’t like grilled cheese, right?” he said, walking to the kitchen.
“Ahh, I see I’m not in Philly anymore.”
“No, the transition has been made. And while you’re eating…”
My first mistake was putting up my hand to stop his thought. “No need to finish that sentence. I already know you’re dying to give me the list of your house rules.”
“In the future I’d watch the talk to the hand routine,” he warned, quirking a brow. “It’s extremely disrespectful.”
Instantly, my palm lowered. “Do you have eyes in the back of your head?”
“No. But I do have good peripheral vision, which you might want to remember for future reference. I’m just trying to prevent you from getting into trouble on your first day here.”
“Uh-huh. So, my host is both talented and thoughtful?”
He flipped the perfectly toasted sandwich onto a plate and cut it diagonally in half before meeting my watchful eyes. “Do you have a middle name, Lori?”
“It’s Hope. But not many people know that.”
“Well, I think your full name is too beautiful to be kept a secret. So, have a seat, Lori Hope and let me serve you some lunch.”
“What’s your middle name, John?”
“My father only referred to me as John Howard during a scolding,” he said through a chuckle as he lifted his eyes skyward. “Dad was one hell of a disciplinarian, but he was also a loving father and husband.”
“Ahhh, the pieces are starting to fit into this jigsaw puzzle, one by one. Your parents lived within a domestic discipline relationship, and you learned from them?”
“They did, and though my son is unattached, he intends to carry on the tradition someday.” Sliding out the kitchen chair for me to sit in with one hand, his other placed the sandwich in front of me. “But the most important thing about living any alternative lifestyle is that every relationship is unique.”
Waiting for him to sit down across from me, I lifted a freshly poured glass of ice water. “And for the next week, I’ll be living according to whatever standards you deem appropriate?”
“That is correct,” he stated, pulling a folded piece of paper from his pocket. “So, why don’t you eat your sandwich while the cheese is still melted, and I’ll read what I’ve prepared.”
Taking a bite of crust, I chewed slowly and watched as he reached over the table for a pair of black rectangular reading glasses. Then he cleared his throat and adjusted the bridge of the lenses on his nose.
“Number one: The punishment for swearing or taking God’s name in vain is a bare-bottom spankin’.”
“Hey, that’s not fair. I’ve heard you swear…”
“In case you’ve forgotten, I’m the Daddy, which means I make up the rules. My responsibility is to be your mentor, give you unconditional love and support, protect you, be your rock, and of course, discipline you when necessary. In other words, my language won’t be your concern. Is that explanation clear enough, young lady?”
“Sounds like a double standard to me,” I mumbled, taking another bite of my sandwich.
“Excuse me. Did you say something?”
“Nope. Not a thing.”
His
