Page 21 of Daddy’s Pursuit (The Daddy Guard #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

Iris couldn’t believe what was happening.

It almost didn’t seem real. But this was certainly no dream.

In that boxy office, with the stacks of paper, the filing cabinets, and the lingering smell of coffee, she was bent over the desk, her shorts and diaper around her ankles.

For a moment she was mortified. Uncle Ace could see her naked bottom! Then she remembered the doctor’s visit only an hour earlier. Dr. Sellecca had seen everything. Plus, he’d diapered her! How could this be any more humiliating than that?

Simple, she answered herself silently. You’re in this predicament because of something you did. You disobeyed. Broke the rules. Went hunting for trouble when you should have just been a good girl and waited patiently for Daddy.

Knowing she’d brought this on herself, Iris decided not to fight it. Instead, she tried to remain as stoic as possible while awaiting her fate.

What took so long? Was Jack dragging this out on purpose?

“Tell me why you’re getting this spanking, little girl.”

She sighed. Oh great. A lecture.

“Because I was a bad girl, Sir.”

“No, honey. You’re not a bad girl. But you were a disobedient one. Now, I want to hear specifically what you did to earn this.”

Sniffling, Iris answered, “I wandered away, Sir.”

“That’s right. Where did Daddy tell you to stay?” Jack probed.

“By that helicopter.”

“Yep. Close to me and Uncle Ace. But you didn’t just wander away. You did something else that was very dangerous. What was it?”

It took Iris a moment to answer, as the guilt nearly overwhelmed her. Finally, she said meekly, “I chased the balloon to the edge of the building, Sir.”

“You sure did,” he said. “And you were leaning over the wall trying to reach it. I’m glad I came along when I did. One wrong move and you might have toppled over the side. It’s a long way down, honey. Too long to survive.”

Iris’s shoulders shook as she started sobbing. She jolted slightly when she felt something on her bottom. Instead of being the belt, though, it was just Jack massaging her. That calmed her down a tad. But she knew that spanking was still coming. It was only a matter of time…

Jack’s voice was as soothing as his touch. “I know, honey. Spankings aren’t fun. But this is for your own good. I wouldn’t be a very good Daddy if I let you get away with this.”

The massage stopped and behind her, she heard his belt snap, presumably as he folded it in half.

A chill traced her spine.

“Yes, Sir,” she said.

Oh crap. This is it. It’s happening.

She could tell the talking was over. There was nothing left to do but be a good girl now—like she should have been earlier—and take her swats.

“Hold still. Don’t break position,” Daddy commanded.

“Yes, Sir,” she answered, though it was barely audible.

“Fifteen licks. Count them out.”

She nodded and then braced herself, gripping the sides of the beat-up old metal desk. It was cold beneath her bare skin. But that was the least of her worries.

The belt slapped her bare cheeks. She yelped as the sting shocked her senses.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Jack posed.

“One, Sir.”

“Good girl.”

The belt lashed at her again. She gritted her teeth as a tear rolled down her cheek and splashed on top of the desk.

“Two, Sir.”

The process was repeated over and over again, and by the time they reached ten, she was bouncing on her feet and crying loudly. Somewhere, she knew, was Uncle Ace. He had to be able to hear this!

For all she knew, he was behind her, leaning against the wall or something, watching. How embarrassing was that?

That didn’t matter right now. She had five more swats to get through, and they weren’t going to be easy.

Her bottom was already a raging inferno. How could she possibly take any more?

There wasn’t much of a choice, though. The rules had been broken, and she had to atone for her misdeeds.

You can do this, she told herself silently, repeating the mantra, trying to prepare herself.

But it didn’t do much good.

Those last five swats were excruciating. She could only imagine how red her bottom was by the time Daddy put his belt back on and took her into his arms.

Hugging her tightly and swaying her gently, Jack kissed the top of her head and gave her the time she needed to cry into his chest. His shirt quickly grew damp with her tears. But he didn’t seem to mind.

His voice was soft and soothing. “There, there, little one. It’s okay. It’s all over. Do you know how much Daddy cares about you?”

“Yes, Sir.”

She closed her eyes and cooed softly, finding love and comfort in his embrace.

Should she say it? Was it time to tell him how she felt?

Or was it way too early to admit aloud?

It was tough, she thought. So tough.

Because all she wanted to say were those three little words.

I love you .