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Chapter Twenty-One

Evander

To my delight, Natalie settles into life here on the island with more ease than I ever expected. But not too much ease, thankfully. She still gives me reasons to redden her naughty bottom on a regular basis, and more than once I’ve caught her sneaking out of her crib at night.

Those are my favorite moments. When she runs from me, her shrieks and giggles echoing through the house until I finally catch her, pinning her to some piece of furniture as I fuck her poor little bottom hole until she comes, sobbing and crying out for Daddy.

Unfortunately, life outside of the island beckons. There are things that need my attention, and I’ve been putting them off as long as I can. But there’s a dispute back in New York that’s about to boil over and my presence is needed.

“But why can't I come with you?”

Eyes full of tears, Natalie pouts up at me, her bottom lip trembling. “Because it’s far too dangerous, kitten. If anyone knew who you were or what you mean to me, they’d stop at nothing to get to you. I can’t risk that happening.”

“Papa could come with us. He could protect me.”

Glancing up, I meet Lucas’s gaze. We both know he’d happily give his life to protect my Little one, but if I can avoid putting him in that position, I will. “He is going to protect you, right here, at home.”

Her bottom lip firms up and her eyes narrow, letting me know she’s teetering on the edge of a full-blown tantrum.

The deeper she’s gotten into her role as my Little girl, the more frequent those tantrums have become.

And while I don’t usually mind indulging them, as it gives me a reason to either spank her or fuck her, whichever she seems to need more at the moment, right now I need her to understand just how serious I am.

“Who is she?”

Confused, I frown down at my mutinous Little girl. “Who is who?”

“The other woman. That’s the only reason I can think of why you wouldn’t take me with you. You’ve got a whole other family back in New York, don’t you?”

The idea is so preposterous it almost makes me laugh. But it’s clear from the venom in her eyes that laughing would be a very, very bad idea.

Lifting her up into my arms, I carry her over to the couch in my office, settling with her on my lap. “Kitten. I want you to listen to me very closely. Are you listening?”

“Yeah.”

Because I can tell beneath the attitude she’s hurting, I let the response pass without scolding her.

Cupping her cheek in my hand, I meet her watery gaze.

“There is nobody but you. There will be nobody but you for as long as I draw breath. You are my everything, Natalie, and I would rather die a thousand deaths than ever cause you that kind of pain. Do you understand?”

Some of the worry clears from her expression. “You mean that?”

“With everything I have, little one.”

Her bottom lip trembles again. “Then why are you leaving me?”

“I don’t want to, baby. I want nothing more than to stay right here with you, every second of every day. But I have responsibilities back in the city that demand my attention. I promise I will be home as soon as I can. And I will make sure to call you every day until I return. Okay?”

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, I don’t really have a choice, do I?”

“Unfortunately, neither of us really do when it comes to this. But your Papa will be here to take care of you.” Leaning in, I drop my voice to a conspiratorial whisper.

“And between you and me, he’s a lot nicer than your Daddy.

I bet if you wanted to, you could even talk him into having donuts for breakfast every day. ”

The suggestion gets a giggle out of my little kitten, and the sound eases some of the guilt twisting around my stomach. “But if I do that then you’ll spank me when you get home!”

“What happens with Papa stays with Papa,” I assure her.

“Okay.” Her giggles fade and her bottom lip pushes out in a pout once more. “I still don’t want you to go.”

Nothing has ever tempted me away from my responsibilities like those wide, woeful eyes. “I know, little one. But I’ll be home before you even have time to miss me. I promise.”

Natalie

Daddy did not keep his promise.

Granted, it was a hard one to keep seeing as how I started missing him about five minutes after his car disappeared from our driveway. So nearly a week later, I’ve definitely had time to miss him.

“Natalie. You need to eat your breakfast, little one.”

Leaning back in my chair, I fold my arms over my chest. “Not hungry.”

Papa sighs, and guilt pricks at my chest. He’s doing his best, really he is, and he’s been spoiling me rotten ever since Daddy left. And yet, I can’t seem to get over missing my Daddy no matter how hard I try.

“If you eat your eggs and at least two pieces of sausage, you can have a donut on our way to school.”

“I don’t want a donut.” That’s a lie. I’ve been living for those little trips to the bakery every morning with my Papa.

“That’s too bad. I heard they had a brand-new flavor this morning. It’s filled with lemon custard.”

Okay, that does sound pretty good. But even the promise of a delicious treat doesn’t lift my bad mood.

Picking up my fork, Papa scoops up some eggs and holds them to my lips. “Come on, little one. Just one bite for now.”

“No!” Without really thinking, I swat at the fork and it goes flying, clattering to the floor as egg splatters everywhere.

Uh-oh. I don’t even need to see the fury in Papa’s eyes to know I’m in big, big trouble.

“All right, little girl. I have had more than enough of this attitude from you. Come here.”

My legs feel like they're full of lead as I slowly push up out of my seat, my eyes already filling with tears. I glance over at the door, wondering if I could make it before he catches me. Probably, since he’s older than Daddy and not quite as fast.

“Don’t even think about it, Natalie Quinn. If you run, I will not chase you. I will simply wait for you to come to your senses and then I will use my belt instead of my hand on your naughty bottom. Is that what you want?”

“No, Papa,” I whisper.

“Then I suggest you come here. Now.”

I drag myself over to stand beside him and in no time at all he has me over his wide lap, my bare bottom propped up over one knee as his hard, heavy hand scorches my skin.

“I know you are missing your Daddy, but that is no excuse for your behavior, little girl.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’ll be good Papa, I promise!”

But no amount of pleading or kicking my feet or crying even gives him pause. Over and over he spanks, until at last I collapse over his lap, sobbing my heart out.

“There we go, my sweet little Natalie.” Gathering me in his arms, he rocks me gently as I weep into his shoulder. “You’ve needed that big cry for a while now, haven’t you?”

“I g-guess.”

“Poor thing. I know it’s hard, having your Daddy so far away. But he’ll be home soon.”

It’s meant to be reassuring, but my heart constricts in my chest at his words. “He’s gonna sp-spank me again!”

Papa’s chest vibrates beneath me. “Yes, he is. You know the rules, little one. But you want to know a secret?”

“What?”

“I think he’ll probably be so happy to see you, he won’t even spank you that hard. Especially if you can behave yourself and not get in any more trouble before he returns home.”

“I’ll try.”

“That’s my girl. Now, are you going to be good and finish your breakfast?”

Lifting my head, I peek up at him through my lashes. “Can we still get donuts?”

He laughs, shaking his head at me. “I really shouldn’t. You were very naughty. But I suppose you’ve already been punished, so really, depriving you of donuts would be kind of a double punishment, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes, yes it would. And that wouldn't be fair at all .”

“No, I suppose it wouldn’t. So yes, if you can eat breakfast and be ready to go on time, we can still stop and get donuts.”

“Thank you!” Throwing my arms around his neck, I press a kiss to his grizzled cheek. “You’re the best Papa ever.”

“Keep that in mind when I have to tell your Daddy about your naughtiness this morning.”

My stomach twists at the thought of how disappointed Daddy is going to be.

But to my surprise, I actually do feel a lot better as I finish my breakfast and let Papa give me my supplement before he wraps me in a fresh diaper.

It’s definitely not as fun without Daddy there to reward me for taking my “medicine”, but the embarrassment has almost worn off.

Almost.

As promised, Papa does take me to the bakery and we get the new lemon donut, which is even better than I hoped it would be. I’m just polishing mine off when the door to the bakery opens and Uncle Max steps inside, Tori at his side.

“Nelly!” With a happy cry, she takes a step toward me, then hesitates and looks up at Uncle Max. “Daddy, can I go say hi to Nelly?”

“Yes, you may. But no running.”

Dropping his hand, Tori walks over to us at the fastest pace she can muster without breaking out into a full run and I can’t help but giggle at the way she tiptoes right up to her Daddy’s lines without stepping over them.

“Oooh, did you get a donut? What kind?” She asks as she wiggles onto the bench beside me in the booth Papa and I claimed.

“The lemon custard. It’s delicious .”

“Eww, lemon.” Tori wrinkles her nose. “No thanks.”

“More for me, then,” I say with another giggle.

Cocking an eyebrow, Papa smiles at me. “I think you’ve had your fair share of donuts this week, little one.”

“No such thing as too many donuts, Papa.”

“I can’t believe it’s Friday already,” Tori says with a dramatic sigh. “I gotta go all weekend without seeing you!”

“Perhaps we can arrange a playdate.” Something lights in Papa’s dark eyes and he grins. “Actually… you girls wait right there. And don’t move, or I won’t be able to stop Uncle Max from blistering both your bottoms right here in front of everybody.”

Considering my bottom still hurts from the spanking he gave me before we left, I’m in no hurry to get another one. “Yes, Papa.”

“Yes, Mr. Lucas!” Tori calls after him as he slides out of the booth and makes his way over to where Uncle Max is waiting at the counter for his order. “What do you think he’s doing?” She whispers to me when he’s out of hearing distance.

“I dunno,” I whisper back. “He’s never done that before.”

Whatever he asks Uncle Max has the other man glancing over at us, a thoughtful frown on his face. But then he turns back to Lucas and we’re left frustratingly in the dark about their conversation.

After what seems like an eternity, Lucas returns to the table, his smile even wider than before. “I can’t make any promises, but your Uncle Max is going to talk to the rest of the uncles about having a sleepover at our house tomorrow night.”

“Really?” Tori and I exclaim together in matching excited squeals.

“Oh, thank you, Papa, thank you! We need to get lots of junk food and movies and?—”

He pins me with a mockingly stern glare. “The only thing you need to do is go to school and be a good girl for Miss Evelyn. Your Papa will take care of the rest.”

“But what if you get the wrong stuff?”

The look he gives me is withering, but his lips twitch, giving away his amusement. “You can have the final approval over the menu and the entertainment.”

I let out a dramatic sigh. “Okay, I guess that’ll have to do.”

“I guess it will.”