Page 12

CHAPTER 11

It was like he knew every word to say. Every word that would wrap itself around her heart and hold her warmly. Her bottom throbbed as she sat there on his lap, but that wasn’t really the reason she was crying. She wasn’t sure what it was. More like she… she was just letting go of a whole lot of emotion.

“Hey, are you all right? Are you in a lot of pain?” There was a worried note to his voice, and she knew that she had to get herself together and put his fears at ease.

Sitting back slightly, she wiped at her face with her arm.

“Wait a minute. Let me grab some tissues.” He reached over and grabbed some tissues that were sitting on a small table next to the chair.

That seemed like a strategic placement. She wondered how many Littles had been spanked in his chair.

Probably best not to know.

He leaned her back and then used the tissues to wipe her face. That was better, even if her nose was still stuffed up.

Then he grabbed some more tissues and held them to her nose. “Blow.”

Oh good. She blew her nose into the tissue, and he finished cleaning her up before throwing the tissue away. Then he clasped her face between his hands, watching her worriedly.

“What’s going on, Little girl?” he asked. “Was it too much? You should have safeworded.”

“No, no.” She shook her head. “That wasn’t it.”

“What is it, then?”

“I just… I just . . .”

Drat.

Get yourself together.

She felt so scattered.

“You know how you get a bottle of soda and you shake it and shake it?”

He nodded, looking confused and she couldn’t blame him for that. She felt confused and she was the one trying to explain how she felt.

“And then you undo the cap and it all explodes out? I feel like my cap was just loosened.”

Did he get it?

“I think I understand.”

“You do?”

“Yes, little girl. You’ve been holding your emotions in, and they’ve been bubbling, searching for a way out. The spanking gave you the excuse to let go and let everything out and now it’s hard to rein your emotions back in.”

“Wow. You said that so much better than I ever could.”

He smiled slightly as he wiped his thumb under her eye. Drat. Some stray tears were still working their way down her cheek.

“What were you holding so tightly to your chest, sweetheart?” he asked. “Is it something you can tell me? Sometimes it’s good to talk about these things.”

She breathed out a deep sigh. “Lots of stuff, I think. My dad dying. My brothers being so disapproving of the way I am, of the life I want to lead. Them wanting me to tone myself down so I fit in better. The guilt I feel over my mom’s death.”

“That’s a lot to carry around on your shoulders,” he told her, cupping the side of her face. “You should know that your mom’s death wasn’t your fault, but it also seems to me like perhaps you should talk to someone about that guilt. It’s not healthy for you to deal with. Losing a parent is so hard. Will you think about talking to a therapist? I don’t like that you’re living with these feelings and bottling them up.”

“Maybe,” she said. “I don’t know if they’d approve of me, either.”

“Firstly, screw anyone who doesn’t approve of you because you are amazing. And you will tell me if anyone makes you feel less, understand? You do not have to tone yourself down to fit in with anyone. You’re perfect how you are.”

“What will you do if someone does do that?” she asked, shocked by how fierce he looked and sounded.

“I will ruin them.”

Whoa.

Those words went straight through her body, heating her from the inside out. Seemed like she enjoyed his protectiveness.

“Why?”

“Because you’re mine, little girl.”

Yep. She liked his possessiveness too. “Thank you,” she told him.

His eyebrows rose. “I wasn’t expecting you to thank me.”

“No? What were you expecting?”

“I suppose I was expecting you to react how my ex would have. Which isn’t fair now that I take a moment to think about it, because you are nothing like her.”

Well, that was a relief. From what she’d learned of his ex, she didn’t want to be like her. “How would she have reacted?”

“Probably by laughing at me or getting mad. Maybe some ridicule. It’s hard to know which way she would go.”

“She didn’t deserve you,” she told him. “Because you’re amazing and if anyone tries to tell you differently, you tell me. I’ll deal with them.” She punched her fist into the palm of her other hand.

He smiled at her, looking indulgent. But he didn’t realize that she meant every word.

“Did the spanking help, then?” he asked.

Phoebe eyed him suspiciously. “I guess so. But don’t get any crazy ideas about spanking me more often.”

“Then you might want to behave yourself, little girl,” he told her.

She wrinkled her nose. “I dunno, sounds kind of boring.”

“You’re going to keep an old man on his toes, aren’t you?” he murmured.

“Daddy, you’re not that old. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“Sassy.” He started tickling her and she giggled as she tried to escape him.

Finally, he stopped and hugged her tight again.

“Such a good girl. Precious girl. My girl.”

She slumped against him. Yep, he always seemed to know exactly what to say.

“Do you want to do some playing, little girl?” Barren asked her.

Her whole face lit up. As though he was offering her the crown jewels or unlimited candy. Part of him hated that. Hated that she had never had the opportunity to play and be herself in a safe environment. But there was also a part of him that liked that he was the first Daddy she’d ever had.

Did that make him an asshole? Maybe. But he couldn’t help the way he felt.

“Yes, please!”

“Let’s get your clothes back on you.” He stood her on her feet and grabbed her tights off the floor, helping her back into them and then he stood and crouched so he could help her put her slippers back on.

“Thanks, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome, little girl. Such lovely manners. Before you start playing, I just have one thing to tell you.”

She was fidgeting, moving her weight from foot to foot. “What is it, Daddy? What is it? The town is waiting for me.” She gestured toward the playmat on the floor which had roads and buildings printed on it. There were some toy cars set to one side.

Ahh, so that’s what she was dying to play with?

“It’s about your car. Zeus contacted me and said that he’ll have it dropped off tomorrow.”

“Yay!” She danced around. “Now, Daddy?”

“Go for it, my baby.”

She skipped over to the cars and sat on the floor before grimacing and moving onto her knees.

“Sore bottom, little girl?” he asked.

Phoebe sent him a quelling look. “Yes, Daddy. You spank too hard.”

“I disagree. I think I spank just hard enough.”

A huff of breath escaped her as she picked up a car and drove it along the road, making noises.

Oh, that was so cute.

“Vrooomm-Vrooomm. Crash! Oh no!” she cried. “There’s been an accident, Daddy!”

“Oh dear. Was someone speeding?”

“Yes. Look, they smashed into this truck. Oh, they’re gonna be in big trouble when they get home.”

“I hope they’re all right,” he commented as he came and sat with her.

“Yep. They said they’re all right, just some bruises. That was very close. I think their Daddy will spank them when they get home, though.”

“Perhaps. I’m sure he’ll make sure they’re not injured first. And probably hold them tight for a long time. But I know that my girl wouldn’t be speeding like that.”

Although he did remember she’d mentioned how happy she was not to get any speeding tickets on the way here. Which made him wonder how often she got them.

“Of course not, Daddy. I’m a very good driver.”

“That’s good to hear, because my girl needs to follow all the rules when it comes to driving and keeping herself safe.”

“All right, Daddy! Enough of the chit-chat, I have to go make our cup of tea. Would you like some cake? Cookies? Ooh, there might even be cupcakes.”

He watched as she jumped up and raced over to the table that could be set up for a tea party. She was like a kid in a candy store, flitting around, excited by everything she saw. And it was adorable.

“Oh, Snickerdoodle would love this tea party!” she cried. “I feel so bad that he’s back in the room. I should have brought him.”

Her lower lip started to tremble, and he hated the look of sadness on her face. Getting to his feet, he walked over and cupped her face between his hands.

“Don’t get upset, we can bring Snickerdoodle back another day.”

“Really?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“We can come back to this room another day?”

“Yes, little girl. If you are enjoying yourself, I’ll bring you here as much as you want.”

“Wow. But I’m only supposed to be staying a few more days and what about your work? Don’t you have to get back to it?”

“Don’t worry about any of that stuff right now. If you want to stay longer, we’ll work it out. All right? But I don’t want you thinking about that stuff right now. This is a time to have fun and play and explore.”

She gave him a wide smile. “You’re such a good Daddy.”

“I’m glad you think so because I want to be the best Daddy I can be for you.”

“Well, you’re off to an excellent start. Except for the consequences stuff. You can always forget that part in the future.”

“Hmm, good to know, but I feel like I wouldn’t be a very good Daddy if I didn’t follow through on my word. Imagine if I promised you ice cream and then didn’t get it for you?”

She gasped and pretended to stumble backward. “That would be terrible, Daddy!”

“Exactly. So consequences will stay.”

“And ice cream, right?”

“There will always be ice cream,” he reassured her.

“Whew. Just had to make sure, Daddy.”

“Would you like more tea, Daddy?” she asked, holding up the tea pot.

Barren nodded solemnly as he perched his large body on a rather small wooden chair. Sure, he could have sat on the floor, but that wouldn’t have looked nearly as funny. And this was a tea party! All of the other guests were sitting on their chairs. Well, Mr. Unicorn kept trying to slip off, but he was a very naughty unicorn.

“Mr. Unicorn! Stop moving,” she grumbled as she finished pouring Barren’s tea.

With a sigh, she put her tea kettle down and then grabbed Mr. Unicorn, setting him on his chair.

“Look at Mrs. Bear and Miss Bunny,” she scolded. “They are sitting in their chairs nicely and so is Daddy. So why can’t you? I’m starting to regret inviting you.”

“He has been quite naughty,” Daddy agreed.

“I know. Unicorns are often naughty. They think they’re special because everyone loves unicorns. I still love unicorns, but I do think that Mr. Unicorn might need to learn how to behave himself.”

“I understand where you’re coming from,” Daddy said as he took a sip of tea. “Now, it’s nearly time for lunch and a nap, little girl. So we need to tidy this up before lunch gets here.”

“Sure, sure, Daddy.” She was a bit busy right now with Mr. Unicorn. He just wouldn’t stay up and it was frustrating.

Besides, she was still full from breakfast and who had time for a nap?

“Little girl, are you listening to me?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Then why aren’t you tidying up?” he asked sternly.

She glanced over to find him standing with his arms crossed over his chest.

Hmm. Uh-oh. “I’m not hungry, Daddy.”

“No skipping meals,” he stated. “Another rule.”

“I hope you’re writing these down, Daddy,” she stated.

“I’m going to look for a book in the store after your nap.”

“I really don’t need a nap, Daddy!”

“Are you sure about that?” he asked.

“Uh-huh. I’m not tired at all!”

“We’ll see. Start tidying all of this up or you can spend ten minutes in the corner and then you can tidy it up.”

“Ten minutes! That’s a lifetime!”

His lips quirked. “Not quite. Start tidying.”

Tidying up sucked. But she thought that corner time would likely suck more.