Free Gabriel's Light (Doms of Chicago) by Dakota Trace Page B

do I
have to tell her not to get herself in trouble on my account? And my daughter…”
She tugged a baby monitor out of her pocket. “…is sleeping like a baby. “
    “Well at least you weren’t being totally foolish.” He moved
closer, his breath crystallizing in the air. “As far as your friend…well you
could tell her a thousand times and she’d still do it, Zhenya. But you
shouldn’t be worried about Nisey at this moment. Her
Dom will deal with her impulsive need to protect you…I think you should be more
concerned about…”
    “What? What does the grieving Dom think I should be worried
about, that I’m not? I have a brand new baby my louse of a former father-in-law
may or may not try to steal from me, I’m a single mom no man would want, let
alone a Dom…” She ticked off each reason on her fingers. “…and to top it all
off, I haven’t been touched by a man since before my husband died.” A bitter
laugh escaped her. “So pardon me if I’m fresh out of worry. My plate is full as
it is.”
    “Well then you’re going to have to make room for one more thing,
Zhenya.” He crowed closer, invading her space.
    “And what’s that? You have some more bad news for me? Threats?”
    “No, no bad news, no threats, just a promise.” He lifted her
chin and looked into her eyes. “Before this night is over you’ll promise to
never, ever pull a stunt like this again.”

 
 
    Chapter
Eight
    Zhenya’s eyes widened in surprise. Her anger dying a sudden
death as desire crashed over her. It was all she could do to stand her ground as
she tried not to imagine how he’d accomplish said task. The tension in the
gazebo rose as their breaths mingled in the cold air. She hadn’t lied about the
length of time since she’d been touched, and her traitorous body welcomed the
idea of the man hovering over her breaking her dry spell. She shouldn’t, her
life was in too much   upheaval at the
moment, she had a brand new baby, her body was still healing from the birth.
She was in no position to be wanting what she did. She had to remember that.
    “No. I didn’t agree to be under your protection, Gabriel.” She
looked directly into his eyes, keeping her voice steady despite the flutters in
her stomach. “I only agreed to Caelan’s because I was
new to America, still reeling from the death of my husband, and he and Nisey offered a safe port in the storm. Once they knew I
was in the scene, it was logical.” She tried to smile but failed miserably. “So
you’re out of luck. He’s the only one I gave permission to discipline me in
matters of my own safety. We both know as a Dom you can’t do anything without
his permission.” She drew a deep breath and tried to shoulder past him. “Now,
if you excuse me, I think it’s time I go inside—”
    “Which he did.” Gabriel’s claim sent a shiver of dread down her
spine as he refused to budge.
    “He did?” The squeak left her throat. “He wouldn’t have!”
    Gabriel slowly nodded. “Oh yes, he did. Do you want me to haul
your defiant little ass downstairs? You might get an eyeful though. Your little
stunt landed Nisey in hot water, but you’re not
getting off scot-free, and since Caelan is only one
man, he asked me to deal with you. He even told me your safeword was starfish.” Gabriel reached under her arms and lifted her, with an ease that
shocked her, until she was at eye level. “It may have been a while, I
definitely remember how to deal with bratty little subs who don’t know how to
take the measures to ensure their safety seriously.”
    Her eyes widened as what he was saying sank in. She was going to
find herself over his knee before the night was over. “Shit…”
    His expression drew dark. “Language, louloúdi mou. Unless you really want to add onto your punishment.”
    She shook her head.
    “The correct answer is ‘No Sir.”
    “No, Sir.” she repeated obediently, uncertain. She knew what to
expect if Caelan were the one disciplining