She turned to face him. The ears on her headband swayed gently as she moved, and the tiny puff of a tail bounced behind her with every step. Leo had put on random romantic music from his phone, something slow, something sweet, something with a beat that made her smile.

She began to move.

She wasn’t good at dancing. Her steps were clumsy, her turns wobbly, her arms sometimes flailing when she forgot what to do with them. But she didn’t care. She just swayed, her hips shifting side to side, her body moving to a rhythm only she could hear. The skirt of the costume fluttered around her thighs, and the lace trim caught the light.

Leo watched her.

His hands gripped his knees. His jaw tightened. His gray eyes darkened.

She looked super cute, the way she bit her lip when she concentrated, the way she laughed when she stumbled, the way she flipped her hair over her shoulder. But she also looked sexy. The way the bodice hugged her curves. The way the fabric moved with her body. The way the rabbit ears cast shadows on the wall behind her.

His bunny.

He wanted to grab her. Pull her onto his lap. Bury his face in her neck. Kiss her until she forgot about dancing, about practicing, about everything except him.

He controlled himself.

Barely.

She twirled, nearly fell, caught herself, and laughed. The sound was bright, warm, infectious.

Then she walked toward him.

Her steps were slow, her hips swaying more than necessary. The tiny tail bounced with every step. Her eyes never left his.

She stopped in front of him, then climbed onto his lap, straddling his thighs. Her arms looped around his neck, and she settled against him, her body warm and soft, the plush fabric of her costume brushing against his shirt.

Bella murmured, burying her face in his neck, "I’m so tired."

She breathed him in. His scent. His warmth. The familiar smell of his cologne mixed with his natural musk. Her nose brushed against his skin, and she inhaled again, her lips grazing his pulse point. She sniffed, then again. Her body relaxed against his, her fingers tangling in his hair.

Leo’s voice was low and rough. "Tired?"

His hands found her waist, his fingers pressing into the soft fabric. His thumbs traced small circles on her hips.

Bella nuzzled closer, her lips brushing his neck. "Mm. Dancing is hard."

Leo’s thumb pressed a little deeper into her hip. "You don’t have to work so hard."

She pulled back just enough to look at his face. Her brown eyes were soft, drowsy, her lips slightly parted. The rabbit ears framed her head, casting shadows on the wall behind her.

Bella’s voice was quiet but certain. "I want to."

Then she kissed his neck. Soft at first, just a brush of her lips against his skin. Then firmer, her mouth opening slightly, her tongue darting out to taste him. She felt his pulse jump beneath her lips.

Leo’s eyes darkened. His hands tightened on her waist.

Leo’s voice was thick, controlled. "Bunny. How good do you want to become? Learning painting. Dancing. Hacking." He paused, his gray eyes searching her face. "Who do you want to show?"

Bella pouted, the rabbit ears tilting with her head. "Oh. Maybe to attract guys’ attention."

Leo’s expression shifted. His lips curved into a slow, dangerous, cold smile. His gray eyes glinted with warning.

Leo’s voice was soft, deadly. "Oh really?"

Bella hummed, pretending to think. "Mm. There are so many handsome guys at college. Karl is very nice. And the football players are very..."

She didn’t finish.

Leo moved.

He laid her across his lap in one swift motion, her body draped over his thighs, her legs dangling off the edge of the couch. The rabbit ears flopped sideways. The tiny tail pressed against his leg.

He lifted her skirt.

Bella’s eyes went wide. "Leo—"

He spanked her.

The sound rang through the room loudly. Heat bloomed across her skin, shock and embarrassment flooding her cheeks.

Bella’s face turned crimson. "Leo!"

She twisted, trying to get up, but his hand pressed firmly on her lower back, holding her in place.

He spanked her again. The sting was sharper this time.

Bella whined.

Leo’s voice was calm, almost conversational. "Bad bunny. Bad bunnies get punished."

Bella squirmed. "I’m not a bunny!"

Leo’s hand stayed firm on her back. "You’re wearing the ears."

Bella huffed. "That doesn’t—"

He spanked her again.

Bella yelped. Her fingers clutched the couch cushion. Her face was buried in the fabric, her ears burning, her heart pounding.

Leo’s voice was low, demanding. "Who do you want to attract?"

Bella’s voice was muffled. "No one!"

Leo’s thumb traced a slow circle on her lower back. "That’s not what you said."

Bella turned her head slightly. "I was joking!"

Leo’s voice didn’t change. "Were you?"

Bella nodded frantically. "Yes!"

He spanked her again. Lighter this time, almost teasing. His hand lingered on her skin possessively.

Leo’s voice softened slightly. "Say you’re mine."

Bella’s breath hitched. "I’m yours."

Leo’s hand rested still. "Say you only want me."

Bella’s voice was breathless. "I only want you, Leo. Only you."

He stilled.

His hand rested on her bare skin, warm and heavy. His thumb traced small circles on the curve of her bottom. Bella’s breathing was ragged. Her face was flushed, her body trembling.

Leo’s voice was gentle now. "That’s my good bunny."

He helped her sit up, pulling her onto his lap again. Her skirt fell back into place, covering her. The rabbit ears were crooked. Her cheeks were pink.

Bella glared at him, her lips pressed together. "You’re mean."

Leo’s gray eyes sparkled with amusement. "You started it."

Bella crossed her arms. "I was teasing."

Leo tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I was finishing it."

She should have stopped. A sensible woman would have stopped. But Bella was not feeling sensible.

She tilted her chin up, her brown eyes sparking with defiance. The rabbit ears seemed to perk up.

Bella’s voice was slow, deliberate. "You know, Karl has really nice eyes."

Leo’s smile froze.

Bella pretended to think. "And his arms. He plays football, so they’re very..."

Leo’s voice was a warning. "Bella."

Bella continued, ignoring him. "...strong and he’s tall. Very tall."

Leo’s jaw tightened. "Bella."

Bella’s eyes glittered with mischief. "And his hair is so soft. I touched it once." She batted her eyelashes. "By accident..."