“Being good is overrated,” she told him.
“Oh, is it? Because being naughty just gets you spanked.”
Yeah, well, those few swats he’d given her earlier had just stirred her arousal so that didn’t sound like much of a threat.
“You’re not up to sex yet, Ellie. It’s your first time. It should be special.”
“But I’m not sure I can sleep like this. I think you should climb into bed with me and see what you can do to soothe me.”
He shook his head but he was grinning. “You are such trouble. I am not having sex with you.”
She sighed. “Fine. But that doesn’t mean we couldn’t do what we did earlier, right? I mean, I think I need some more practice.”
“Not tonight. You’re tired and you need to rest.”
She gave him her best pleading look.
“But I will sleep with you. Only sleep. And if you try for anything more, you’re going to feel my hand on your backside again.”
Promises. Promises.
She didn’t say that out loud, though. She wasn’t that silly.
“You’re not always going to get your way, little girl.”
“Of course not, Daddy,” she said with mock-innocence.
“Brat,” he said affectionately. But he stripped off his clothes. This time he was wearing boxers, which he left on as he climbed into bed beside her. She snuggled in against him and he wrapped a wide arm around her. A sense of rightness stole over her.
“You’re so warm.”
“And you’re freezing. Why didn’t you tell me you were so cold?”
“I didn’t feel cold until you got in. You’re like a furnace.” She rested her head on his chest with a happy sigh. “I love it when you hold me. I’ve never been held like this.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I like it too, baby girl. Now go to sleep.”
She yawned. “Not tired. Tell me a story.”
“You just yawned. Sleep.”
“No.”
“Do you need me to warm your bottom for you?” His voice was a low rumble. Hmm, maybe that would be nice. But then again, he didn’t sound to happy with her.
“No.” She was silent for a moment. “But I really want a story first. Please, Daddy? Then I’ll go straight to sleep.”
His sigh was long and exaggerated. “Fine. Once upon a time there was a very patient Daddy—”
“Did he have a beard?”
“Yes.”
“Ooh, and was he sexy?”
He pulled her into him and laid two sharp smacks onto her ass.
“Hey! No fair. You didn’t say I couldn’t ask questions, Daddy.”