Page 10

CHAPTER 9

PIERCE

Since we’d started delving into a dynamic and relationship, Charlee seemed more confident as well as something I couldn’t name. My rules, consequences and attention on her seemed to lift a weight off her shoulders that she’d been carrying for a long time. I glanced across my bed. She was snoring softly, a serene mask of peace on her features. I didn’t want to wake her up and carefully extracted myself without a lot of movement.

Making breakfast, I checked her schedule. Somehow the stars aligned. There was nothing to do until early this evening. Only our first dress rehearsal of a handful prior to the show around six.

“Daddy?”

Glancing up from the planner on the kitchen island, I took in her adorable stance. She shuffled to me and I wrapped my arms around her. “Good morning, starlet. Did you sleep well?”

“Better than ever. Can we maybe relax today? Even with resting my arm, I’m kinda burnt out.” Charlee lifted onto her tiptoes, pursing her lips toward my mouth.

Bending to her, I kissed her softly. “Sure, babygirl. Have you ever visited the playground?”

She frowned, pulling away to grab a plate, adding pancakes and bacon. “Not on purpose.”

Realizing it may take some convincing, I piled my plate with extra bacon and hashbrowns as I thought about an enticing way to get her to explore. Grabbing each of us a mug of coffee, I placed her mug in front of her.

“Did you used to enjoy playing?”

Charlee shrugged.

That wouldn’t do. I tapped my pointer finger on the table twice. I wanted her full attention. She pursed her lips and sighed.

“It’s hard to be grumpy when you’re having fun, Daddy. I know that. However, I never had anyone to climb the monkey bars with or go down the slides or see-saw.”

“I have to advise against the monkey bars, starlet. On account of your splint and your proclivity to falling, but we can check out the slides. I’m not completely sure of the see-saw situation but I’m great at balancing.”

Her mouth quirked up on the edges. “You want to play with me?”

“I want to do anything and everything if it’ll make you happy.” I crunched the bacon, loving the smoky flavor. I made a mental note to add it to our sandwiches this afternoon. Turkey, provolone, and bacon on a whole wheat roll sounded delicious. I suppose everything tasted better with bacon. “I’ll pack lunch. If it’s not too cold we can sit at the picnic benches there.”

“I think this is a ploy so you can show me your skills on the monkey bars,” she said and her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“When I used to play on the playground, growing up, I could practically go from bar to bar without hanging. I was always taller than most of my classmates.” Chewing thoughtfully, I saw her nod as if my gentle coaxing would get her to agree. It wasn’t that she needed to engage in her Little headspace to prove to herself that she could be Little, but I thought it would help. The faster she embraced every part of herself, the better the experience would be for her.

“Not much of a challenge if you’re walking across the pretty rocks and not having to use any muscles. Huh, Daddy?”

“Not a challenge, but it was fun. What do you say?” Wiping my mouth with the napkin, I gave her another minute.

“Maybe. Do you know how to do hair? Um, I can’t do much with my hair other than brush it. I need two hands to do braids. I have a fear of getting my hair trapped in equipment,” she said seriously.

“Fears are nothing to be ashamed of. I can’t do very fancy styles but if you trust me, I’ll show you what I can do. Is your fear the only thing preventing you from saying yes?”

“Will you…” Charlee dropped her chin to her chest.

“Babygirl,” I tapped my finger on the table again. It had become a way for her to focus and pay attention even if she wanted to let her thoughts wander.

“Yes, Daddy?” She looked up at me and continued eating breakfast.

“What else would you like me to do for you?” I drank a sip of coffee, observing her. It would be so much easier if she’d tell me.

“Would you pick out my outfit and dress me? I bought some practical underwear choices and some pretty glittery leggings. In a few months the skirts can be worn without them but I was cold when we were walking around.”

“Of course, babygirl. I’d be more than happy to get you dressed. I’ll style your gorgeous hair. You can also wear warm clothes and bring your skirt to wherever we are going or maybe wear an insulated pair of leggings. They have a lining on the inside,” I said matter-of-factly.

“Lined leggings? Why the heck didn’t I know about those? They would work fabulously, Daddy. Yes, please.”

We finished our breakfast, keeping the conversation light while walking to my room. I had emptied a few drawers in my dresser plus a section in my closet for Charlee to keep some things at my house. I’d also added a few extra pieces when she wasn’t looking, hoping they would make her happy. I’d had Haven go to the gift shop yesterday and pick up the leggings we’d been discussing plus more clothing.

Tugging a long-sleeve graphic tee-shirt in royal blue with light blue lettering, “Daddy’s Drama Queen” out of the drawer, I set it on the bed along with a pair of black leggings. Stepping to my closet I grabbed the matching fluffy tutu skirt and chunky Mary Janes from their spots. Doting on Charlee was quickly becoming my favorite way to spend time. I walked back to see her on my bed, curled around the tee-shirt tracing the letters with her fingers.

“Oh, Daddy. It’s perfect. This outfit is perfect. When did you find the time to get it? We’ve been like attached at the hip.”

“I may have had some extra helping hands. Let’s get you dressed, starlet. Despite the message on your clothes, no drama today.”

“Helping hands? Who helped you?” She raised her arms over her head as I stripped off her flimsy sleep tank.

“Haven thought it would be hilarious to put salt in my coffee instead of sugar. It was completely harmless, but not very nice. I made her run errands for me. One of those tasks was to send me pictures of every single theater-branded item in the gift shop. I picked which pretty items I wanted for you.”

“You didn’t! Every single theater-themed gift? That must have taken Haven a long time.” Charlee’s eyes were wide as saucers.

“Oh, yes I did. It took Haven about two hours. Anyhow, she didn’t put salt in her Daddy’s coffee. Nope, just mine.” It had actually been very clever but Haven normally didn’t poke at me. I had wondered exactly why she had done it and could only surmise that she wanted to see how I’d respond. It made me a bit worried that she’d report back to my girl. Or Charlee had asked her friend to do something. Testing the waters was never a good sign. I lowered Charlee’s pajama bottoms to her thighs and off, repeating the process with her panties until she was naked. Since I’d been helping her drop into her Little mindset, I didn’t dawdle. Though I very much wanted to kiss the lips between her thighs, I tasked myself with carefully dressing her. In addition to the new outfit I’d also requested pink panties with a small bow in a plainer style than the cheeky lace ones she usually wore and a camisole instead of a bra.

“My goodness,” she said in awe. “Haven hasn’t pulled such a stunt before! I mean that’s not a typical thing, right?”

“No, she hasn’t acted like that. At least not in a long time. Sometimes Haven pokes me hard enough to get a swat. I’ve never delivered a full spanking. Whatever antics she pulls are always in front of Colt. Anyhow, it’s a bit unusual. Don’t you think so?”

“That does sound unusual, Daddy,” she agreed.

“Do you know any reason why Haven might do something so silly?”

“Me? You think I might know? Why do you think I would know about Haven and her antics regarding your coffee?” Charlee exaggerated her hand motions as she asked.

“Are you lying to Daddy?”

She blinked several times. “Me? Lying to my Daddy? Why on earth would I choose to do something like be dishonest to my Daddy, to whom I have made a solemn promise to be completely open and honest with in regards to all things at all times?”

Her tone screamed knowledge of said prank, but she needed to come clean.

“You are living up to that tee-shirt, starlet. I’m going to give you one chance to think about your answer and try again.” I watched her mull over my words. Since she didn’t seem to want to clarify yet, I put a pretty navy ankle sock on each foot and buckled her Mary Janes. Charlee grinned as she admired the new shoes.

“Perhaps Haven is super comfortable around you, Daddy. Or maybe she needed some extra reassurance or something that day. Hmmm? Maybe it was just a fun morning idea?”

“Is that your final answer, starlet?” I picked up the ornate wooden hair brush along with elastics for her hair.

Charlee eyed the hairbrush, probably thinking that I could use it on her bottom instead of her head.

“I apologize, Daddy. I did not lie exactly. However, I believe I may have stretched the truth.”

Her words were ridiculous but her tone was even more dramatic. “Stretching the truth is distorting or embellishing the truth, Charlene. Do not do it again. Out with it.” I motioned for her to get on with the explanation.

“Are you going to punish me?”

“Yes, and we’ll get to that in a minute. I don’t think you were trying to upset me, but if you start skirting the rules, it will be harder to get you back on track and keep you on track.”

Charlee pouted. I knew she believed in honesty and would never intentionally lie as we had spoken about it more than once. However, it was important for her to answer me when I asked her a direct question without dodging the heart of it.

“I’m really sorry, Daddy. That wasn’t my intention. I do happen to know why Haven poked at you.”

“Hmmm? You do? Tell me why did a typically mild-mannered Little girl pour salt into her Daddy’s best friend’s coffee?”

She looked guilty, her eyes downcast before she slowly set her gaze on mine. “If I tell you, are we going to stay home instead of having fun?”

“No, starlet. We will address your punishment and still go to the playground. I want to spoil you all day. That way you’ll be nice and relaxed for the dress rehearsal tonight. Please tell me what you know about Haven and her strange coffee mix-in selection.” I smiled as Charlee took a deep breath and let it out. I was not mad. It was important to keep our communication healthy and open.

“I may have asked her what happens when someone does something out of character to you. Maybe naughty but not disrespectful. I didn’t tell her to do it.”

I brushed Charlee’s hair, gently untangling the knots in her long tresses with my fingers as she spoke. “Something like a prank, starlet?”

“Um, well, sorta. I suppose putting salt in your coffee could technically be a prank. I haven’t engaged in the shenanigans at the Ranch. So, I guess I could have asked you if you’ve been involved in the receiving end. But I didn’t think of that either.”

Parting her hair down the middle, I separated the strands out and began making a set of fishtail braids. I wasn’t the most skilled hair stylist. The braids wouldn’t win awards but they would keep Charlee’s hair from potentially getting trapped in a crease of the slide or underneath her on the see-saw.

“I have been on the receiving end of pranks and shenanigans before, babygirl. But not in a while. Usually I’m involved by accident because I’m adjacent to the target.” I planted a kiss on her temple.

“I see. So all Haven had to do was run errands for you? Nothing else happened? I mean were you angry with her for messing up your coffee?” Charlee bit on her thumbnail but her face brightened a bit as I finished the first “tail”.

“No, starlet. I’m not mad at Haven. Colton texted me and let me know Haven ordered my favorite type of coffee: a dark, bold espresso that I only indulge in a few times a month. She didn’t need to do that, but it was a nice gesture. She had to run the errands I intended to do myself. It saved me time. I was able to finish a piece of furniture that someone upgraded to a rush delivery.”

“I can see the silver lining, Daddy. I understand.”

I wrapped the elastic around the second “tail”. Holding up a hand mirror, I showed Charlee how the style came out.

“Oh! I look extra pretty!” She kissed my cheek. “And nothing else happened to Haven? Repercussion wise?”

“Well, her Daddy bent her over the breakfast table and paddled her in front of me if that’s what you’re asking about.” I winked.

A look of horror passed over her features. “I never thought about getting spanked in front of someone else. I’ve witnessed it but didn’t think I’d ever be in that position.”

I hadn’t thought about how seeing someone else punished or punishing them myself might affect Charlee. “Colton is a very good Daddy and consent is important to him. He would never cross one of her hard limits, starlet. Besides, I’ve seen a lot of red bottoms in my life from either my hand or someone else’s. Does that bother you?”

“Yes, it bothers me! I don’t want to be spanked in front of my friends. Not ever.”

“Okay, starlet. I hear you. Are you upset that I watched Haven get punished physically?” It was important to find out which part was bothering my girl.

“No, Daddy. I’m upset because I can’t imagine the same scenario happening to me. Are you going to spank me for stretching the truth when you asked me a question?”

“Thank you, babygirl for telling me your concerns. No, you’re not going to be spanked right now. Come with me,” I said, holding my hand out to her. She slipped her hand into mine, interlacing our fingers. “Good girl.”

“I don’t feel like a good girl since you’re leading me to a punishment,” she mumbled under her breath.

“You are always a good girl even when you’re naughty.” I turned into the bathroom and flipped on the light. Locating a new bar of soap along with a special knife, I set both objects on the counter. Taking my time, I let Charlee squirm as I unwrapped the bar enough to cut a slice and smooth the edges.

“I did not lie, Daddy. Why are you going to put soap in my mouth?”

“I thought we already had this conversation, starlet. When Daddy asked you if you knew why Haven added salt to my coffee, what did you answer?”

“Oh, okay. I kinda lied.”

“Your answer?”

“I said I didn’t know at all, but the two of us talked the other day. She’s been lending me her hands for some stage crew stuff since she took this semester off from classes. Haven sees you a lot. She, um, said she was pretty sure you’d be okay with a prank. I sure didn’t mean it like that, Daddy. But I’m acknowledging I was wrong.”

I finished shaping the soap and ran it under the faucet. “Thank you, sweetheart. Since you didn’t mean to, you won’t be getting spanked afterward. Open your mouth.” Charlee frowned deeply but popped open her mouth. I placed the soap disc in between her cheek and gum. “Close.”

She obeyed, still frowning. Her eyes watered as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. I stood behind her, keeping my hands on her shoulders.

“Listen carefully to Daddy. I’m going to say this as many times as I need to get this through your head. Even when you’re naughty, you’re still my good little… sorry.” I cleared my throat. “I apologize. I know that word is a limit. You’re my good girl. My starlet.”

Shit . I hadn’t slipped once. But looking at my contrite, red-faced girl as soap bubbles came out of her cupid-bow mouth from my consequences? It happened. The word naturally flowed from me, but I felt terrible. Charlee held up her thumb. I hoped she understood that my slip of the tongue was actually a good sign. I fell harder for her the more time we spent together. For all intents and purposes, she was my Little girl. I rubbed her shoulders, kissed her temple and lower, smattering kisses along her cheek. “Even Daddy messes up sometimes. Forgive me?”

She held her thumb up again as tears poured down her cheeks.

“Open your mouth and spit out the soap.” I watched as she did it, her tears mixing with the bubbles. Handing her one of the water bottles I kept in my bathroom, I encouraged her to fully rinse her mouth.

“I’m sorry for lying and stretching the truth, Daddy. I’ll be more mindful of the way I answer you. It wasn’t… it wasn’t… I didn’t mean it!”

“I know, babygirl.” I wiped away her tears.

“And of course I forgive you. Listen, um, when I snapped at you that night in the parking lot? When I said Little is a hard limit? It sort of isn’t. It bothers me. But I was a bit dramatic.”

“Dramatic, huh?”

Glancing at her tee-shirt, reminding herself that I knew she was a living breathing drama queen, but in the sweetest way possible, she giggled.

“I, uh, guess you knew that?”

“Yes, starlet. Daddy knows you have a flair for the dramatic.” I wet a washcloth with cool water, patting her eyes and cheeks.

“Right, silly me. I forgive you. We can scale ‘Little’ back to a soft limit,” she said softly.

“I’ll continue to do my best not to call you ‘Little’. I appreciate your honesty.” I kissed her then immediately regretted it. “Charlee! Blech. You need to rinse again. Unless you were trying to soap Daddy’s mouth for his tongue making him trip over his words.”

“No, Daddy! Oh, no! My lips must taste so yucky.”

“I’m teasing you, starlet.”

She handed me a water bottle and we both rinsed our mouths, laughing as we did it but somehow not making a mess or getting ourselves covered in water. We chased the water with mouthwash for good measure.

“Let’s try this again.” I kissed her mouth once. “Mmmm. Much better. Help Daddy make and pack our lunches so we can go to the playground.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Charlee exited the bathroom first and padded up the hallway, her Mary Janes clicking loudly against the hardwood floor. The pitter-patter sound of her in shoes I’d gifted to her made me incredibly happy. She was taking to Little space and ageplay better than I could have dreamed possible. Charlee seemed to really shine whenever she let her worries fade and allowed me to be in charge. Becoming her Daddy had been easy too. For once it seemed things were falling into place.

“Charlee. Something else has been on my mind. Why did you want to know what happens if someone pulls a prank on Daddy?”

“Curiosity,” she said and covered her mouth while giggling. “I have heard about the very detailed shenanigans on the Ranch. I was really wondering if you’d be mad, but you already clarified. Don’t worry!”

“You know what happens to curious kittens?”

“On the Ranch? They probably get punished!”

I swatted her bottom hard on either side and she squeaked and rubbed it with her non-injured hand. “That’s right. Daddy takes rules very seriously. Curious kittens get their bottoms smacked if they engage in pranks. Just keep it in mind, starlet.”

“Yes, Daddy. But don’t you think that’s another reason why the kittens are so curious?”

“I’m fairly certain you’re right.”

Back into the kitchen I couldn’t keep my eyes off my girl. Her outfit accentuated her curves in an innocent way, while the colors made her eyes pop. I loved the way she twirled in her fluffy skirt which made her shoes click again. Charlee really was everything I’d been hoping for all my life. I hoped after the production wrapped, we would be able to explore even more.

CHARLEE

“Oh my goodness!” I screeched as Pierce see-sawed with me. He was right! He was a good balancer. Just like he was right about playing on the playground. Nobody could possibly be upset while having so much fun! The mouth soaping after breakfast was all but forgotten. I wanted to be the best girl for him. And for myself. I owed it to myself for allowing my insecurities to rule the way I’d been living for so long.

“Are you hungry yet from all this running around, starlet?” Pierce asked across the space of the see-saw.

“I did work up an appetite! I can’t wait to eat our sandwiches.” I giggled as he slowly stood, allowing me to slide off the end.

“I think they’ll taste extra yummy.” He dismounted as well, then strode to my side. “We can eat at one of the tables, unless you’re cold, babygirl?”

“I’m warm enough! Let’s go!” I tugged on his hand impatiently as we walked to the collection of tables. We sat down but our privacy was short lived. Haven and Colton were walking hand in hand and spotted us. They sat down across from us.

“We were just talking about you,” Pierce said musing.

“Were you? Good things I hope,” Colton answered playfully.

I offered Haven some of my sandwich and we shared it. “Well, mostly good things. My Daddy told me he may have had a very interesting cup of coffee the other day at your house.”

Haven’s eyes widened. She looked at Colt then darted her gaze to Pierce. “Whoops. Sometimes the sugar bowl and the salt container feel exactly the same.” She shrugged.

“Mmmhmm. Well, Charlee admitted that the two of you may have been talking about pranks,” Pierce handed the other half of his sandwich to Colt.

“Pranks?” Colton raised an eyebrow as he bit into the roll. “What’s this about?”

“Not really a prank exactly. Charlee asked me if I knew what would happen if some of the shenanigans involved Pierce. I couldn’t answer truthfully without testing a theory.” Haven said sweetly.

“She’s right,” Pierce agreed laughing as he ate. “But that doesn’t mean I like all the secrecy. I’d rather have a conversation instead.”

“I hope you and Charlee sorted it out for research purposes,” Colt nodded.

“We absolutely did. I hope my punishment sticks in her mind. Let me clarify. I wasn’t punishing Charlee for Haven’s theory. But when I asked her about it, she did not tell me the whole truth.”

Pierce kissed my temple. The gesture made me feel much better about the whole mess. “I should have asked you instead of the elaborate way around it, Daddy,” I said around the yummy food.

“Yes, babygirl. You should have,” he agreed.

“This is the best sandwich I’ve ever tasted,” Colton marveled. “Smoked bacon adds something really special to it.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying my lunch. I got the idea this morning when the bacon came out perfectly crispy.”

“You should come over after the dress rehearsal tonight. Neither one of you are going to feel like cooking. I’ll order from our favorite Chinese food place.” Colton sweetened the invitation.

“Sure, thing. I’ll bring Haven home then since she’s attending all the rehearsals in case we need extra hands,” Pierce said, nodding.

Haven kicked my shin gently causing me to focus on her. She held out a cookie from the cafeteria. “We got a half dozen to bring home. They are my favorite kind.”

Grinning, I thanked her and accepted the cookie. “I’m sorry if you got in trouble with our Daddies.”

“I accept your apology but it wasn’t like that. I knew what I was getting myself into,” she said as she offered a cookie to Pierce and Colton before taking one for herself.

“Still, I heard you got punished in front of my Daddy,” I fretted again as I had earlier that morning. I couldn’t fathom what that would be like and it had made me spiral a bit.

“Yeah. Not my brightest move. At least your Daddy didn’t spank me.”

“So, you’re not upset and mad at me forever?”

“No, Charlee. I’m not mad. I chose to act the way I did. No worries. Let’s talk about something more fun.” Haven grinned. “Do you wanna watch a movie tonight? If you fall asleep you can stay over. Or your Daddy can carry you home and put you to bed.”

The dress rehearsal wasn’t that late but dinner and then a movie after all the planning and stress from the months building up to that point might exhaust me. “Actually, that sounds really fun. Today has been so much better than I thought it was going to be. Even after I was blowing bubbles without a wand.”

“Yuck. That’s not a great way to start the day. I’ll ask my Daddy right now.”

The four of us stood up, cleaning up the crumbs and napkins and such while Pierce and Colton talked about logistics for tonight. Everything sounded good and I didn’t have to overthink anything. There was nothing to worry about because we had three practices before opening night, and it would go off without a hitch.

Parting ways, we waved to our friends before heading back to the truck. I gave Pierce’s hand two squeezes.

“What’s up, babygirl? Something on your mind?”

“Thank you for always having my best interest in mind, Daddy. And for handling things to the point where I don’t have to worry. You doing all that has made my brain hurt less.”

“I think my starlet was overworking herself. What do you think?” He tapped his pointer finger off my chin.

“I think you’re right, Daddy. Overdoing, overworking, over all the things instead of listening to my body and what it needed. I guess the accident was a weird blessing. Not that I would want someone to get hurt. But it changed my perspective about a lot of things.”

Pierce leaned down and scooped me into his arms, setting me inside his truck on the passenger seat. He kissed my forehead, each of my cheeks, and planted a soft kiss on my lips.

“I know what you mean, starlet. I hate that you were injured especially at the theater, a place you love so much. However, I believed things were spiraling out of control in your life. Doesn’t it feel like you have a better handle on everything?”

“It really does, but isn’t that because you’re doing it?”

“No, babygirl. I’m only guiding you to do the things you need as well as holding you accountable when you let your needs slip. You’ve embraced this role beautifully, and I know it’s not because of your acting skills.”

“Yes, Daddy. Thank you for being proud of me. I finally feel like myself. Like the version that I have always wanted to be.”

“It makes me so happy to hear you say that, starlet.”

I threw my arms around Pierce, hugging him tightly. Though we hadn’t been in a dynamic very long, it seemed like we were both starting to get our needs met. For as much as he was helping me, I knew from what he explained that having a submissive of his own was important. Our wants and needs and desires were different but they overlapped in the best way possible. Too bad it took me forever to actually admit them. Having Pierce step into the role of my Daddy had been unexpected, but the best idea he could have presented me with. I didn’t want to jump the gun but I kept getting the feeling that we were meant to be forever.