True Choices Read Free

background. This would make a great spot for our wedding.
    I thought about waiting to propose. I had the ring made last week. After leaving Lucy in the closet Saturday night, after realizing that I could keep her safe from my anger no matter what...I knew I didn't want to wait another moment to see my ring on her finger.
    And I won't wait longer than necessary to make her my wife.
    I know that's what has her quiet. She's upset about my decision to set the wedding date so soon.
    I open the terrace doors and she walks in, hugging her arms around herself. She had a scarf, gloves, and blanket on the boat, but she's still chilled. "I'll get a fire started in the family room."
    "Ok. Thanks!" She smiles sweetly. She always says please and thank you. It's one of the things I noticed about her the night we met. She stood out then as a sweet girl. And she'll be my sweet girl always now.
    I tweak her nose. "Get under a blanket." She goes to the sofa nearest the fireplace and wraps a blanket around her huddled body. I get the fire going and sit next to her, wrapping her in my arms to warm her more. She's so tiny, snuggled against my chest.
    I'm tempted to just let her have some rest, but we have a few things to discuss and not a lot of time. Jake went with Mom and Dad to pick up dinner, so we could be alone for a little while at least.
    "Lucy." She's quick to raise her head to the change in my voice. I only added the slightest hint of my feelings, but she picks up on it so easily. It's one of the things that surprised me most about her in the beginning. I don't have to give her more than a small warning voice or look to get her to change direction quickly. "We need to discuss a few things."
    "Yes." She sits up more, but keeps my arm around her, her hands on my leg through the blanket. She likes to keep a physical connection with me when we're together. She takes a quick deep breath and starts talking before I do, "Yes. I don't think it's reasonable to think that we can plan a wedding...the type of wedding that I'd want anyway...in only a month." She tries to sound so strong, business-like. I know she's been rehearsing this in her head.
    I grin at her, feeling indulgent for the moment, "Oh, is that so?"
    She can't make eye contact, instead she concentrates on her hands, fidgeting under the blanket on my leg. "...Yes...I" a big swallow, I try not to grin more, "I want a nice wedding, a...a...formal wedding...white dress, lots of flowers, my friends..." she pauses, fidgets more, shaking her head a little, "my family all a part of it."
    "Of course," I'm really trying not to let the laughter get into my voice. But she's just so damn cute...trying to look so calm and sound so in control. She knows as well as I do, who's in control here.
    She finally looks at me, tears in her eyes. Her tears are my undoing. I like seeing them. She's even more beautiful lit up this way, her cheeks flushed, her blue eyes bright...my beautiful girl. "I'm serious, Max!" She reacts to my darkened brow, "Please..."
    "And you shall have all of that, Lucy." I touch her cheek and she rubs her face against my hand.
    "So...so we can...we can plan for a wedding in maybe six months?" She's using her sweetest, highest voice to try to get me to say yes.
    "No. You'll have your dream wedding... next month."
    "But..."
    "Stand up." My indulgence is over.
    She freezes at my abrupt change to a deep, commanding voice...one she knows very well. She knows she pushed too far. "If I have to give you an order again, this is going to be a lot worse for you, little girl."
    She quickly stands, the blanket getting a little tied up around her, but she manages to get free and not fall over. Her eyes are begging me. "Over my knees."
    She hesitates only a second, before getting on my lap. I position her quickly, roughly. Her thin dress won't provide any protection. "You just received a good spanking two days ago, didn't you?"
    "Yes, Sir." She's crying already, trying not to by the sounds of her