Free The Commander's Mate by Morganna Williams

value to contribute regarding the best way to provide the education your people need. The best way to provide the programs so they are received positively,” Dr. Pimel said earnestly.
    “Well, don’t threaten to spank anyone and you’ll have a much higher success rate,” she said snarkily.
    The words were barely completely out of her mouth and Grayson had her tossed over his hip, her skirts flipped above her head, baring her completely to him and the good doctor.
    “No, Grayson! I’m sorry!” Izzy was mortified to be in such a position in front of a guest to her home.
    “You were warned, young lady, and still you pushed me,” Grayson said firmly as he began to pepper her bottom with fast, hard swats.
    She rocked her bottom helplessly in an effort to avoid his punishing palm, yelping loudly when he applied it with vigor to her sit spot. “Oooh… owwww… Grayson, please, I’m sorry!”
    Then her world was upright again as he stood her on her feet in front of him. Izzy was thankful her skirt fell back down around her feet hiding her flaming bottom from view.
    The doctor had watched the whole time and now looked at her with barely concealed amusement.
    She wanted desperately to rub her stinging backside, but refused to do it in front of them. With a delicate sniff, Izzy turned to the doctor. “I apologize for my behavior, Dr. Pimel.”
    When she turned to Grayson, he simply raised his brow at her again. “And?”
    Izzy sighed. “I would be happy to discuss an education program with you and the best way to see it is well received.”
    She felt bad when the doctor positively beamed in response to her words; he obviously was very excited about implementing an educational program. Izzy shouldn’t have been snarky because she was irritated about the library. The program would, after all, benefit her people.
    “I will gather the information and come back to meet with you about the best way to present it to your people,” the doctor said with a grin.
    “Now I need to meet with Dr. Pimel about some other matters, little fire. Perhaps it would be best if you retired to our rooms and took a nap,” Grayson said firmly.
    Izzy gaped at him for a moment. Grayson was sending her to her room! She felt her face getting red; he was treating her like a child.
    As she opened her mouth to blast him, Grayson forestalled her by holding up a hand to stop her from speaking. “Think well before you speak, Isabella.”
    She closed her mouth and walked swiftly from the room without speaking. It went against the grain to leave without speaking her mind regarding being treated like a five-year-old, but knew this particular battle was already lost.
    Izzy made it to their room and managed to shut the door with a quiet click rather than slamming it like she wanted.
    She frowned when she spotted a large wrapped box on the bed that seemed to be vibrating. A plaintive little cry came from the box and she’d rushed over to lift the lid.
    The wriggling puppy inside the box melted her heart in an instant. It was a little lemon basset hound with ears that seemed way too big for its tiny head. Izzy scooped the little dog to her breast and was rewarded instantly with ecstatic puppy kisses.
    She shook her head ruefully. Just when she was ready to spit nails, her alien did something so incredibly sweet she wanted to cry.
     
    * * *
     
    Grayson smiled from the doorway, pleased with Isabella’s reaction to the puppy.
    “I know you’ve been lonely here at home during the day and I thought a dog might give you a little company,” Grayson said carefully. He didn’t want to do anything to set off the argument they’d rehashed repeatedly over the last several weeks. It was pointless; Isabella would not be leaving their home under any circumstances until Dr. Pimel gave him the all-clear. Afterward, he wouldn’t risk her safety by letting her traipse around outside the protective dome without an escort. He also didn’t want her working.
    Isabella