Chapter Twenty-Three
After getting Plum cleaned up from her exertions and saying their goodbyes, Gideon brought her back to the rectory, changed her into some of her comfy lounge clothes and put her down for a nap.
“No, Daddy, I don’t need a nap. I’m not a toddler.”
And then had a massive yawn she tried to cover up. He raised an eyebrow at her as if to sayAre you fucking kidding me right now?She offered him a sheepish smile, probably trying to look cute so she wouldn’t get spanked for arguing. Since when had that ever worked? Never, and he didn’t want to teach her that it would so he warmed up her bottom before tucking her in.
He laid down with her for a few minutes to make sure she really did go to sleep instead of getting on her phone or playing with her Switch. Little darling was so tired it didn’t take long until her eyes were closed and she was out like a light.
While she took her nap, he figured out his schedule for the week. And maybe jerked off in the shower because he wasn’t sure he could make it the couple of hours she would likely sleep without dying.
He knew blue balls weren’t a real thing but he was also fucking desperate and probably wouldn’t be able to keep his mind on setting up appointments and sending out confirmations for meetings after what they’d just done, so wanking off in the shower until she woke would have to do.
Not that she would mind if he woke her, but he wouldn’t set a bad example. She needed her sleep and he knew she didn’t get enough. She was always up early to tend to the café and she’d been staying up late with him. Plus they really had done a number on her at the clinic.
Apparently she’d been even more exhausted than he thought because Plum didn’t wake for dinner, nor did she even stir as he got ready for bed. She’d wake up starving since he hadn’t thought to feed her before putting her down for her nap, but she was clearly exhausted. They’d have to have a discussion about her sleeping habits and taking better care of herself.
She only scooted in closer to him when he climbed into bed, nestled her sweet bottom into his once again aching cock, and it took a great deal of willpower not to roll her onto her tummy and have her from behind. But he was the daddy, he was the one who needed to exercise self-control so he went over his sermon for tomorrow in his head until he fell sleep with his sweet plum blossom in his arms.
* * *
Gideon snuck out of bed in the early hours of the morning to use the bathroom and when he returned, it was to a wide awake Plum, standing by the bed and riffling through her things.
“What are you doing up, darling? You should still be in bed. It’s too early.”
“It’s not too early. I’ve been asleep for like twelve hours. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
“Because clearly you needed the sleep,” he pointed out. “If you need a snack, you may have one because it’s been a long time since you ate, or you may use the bathroom, but after that, you’re going back to bed. No arguments.”
Plum bit her lip, clearly intending to argue. Because of course she was, little brat. She then thought better of it and skittered off to the bathroom.
Gideon would’ve gotten back into bed himself, except he wasn’t convinced that if he went back to sleep before she got back that Plum would obey instructions. Who was he kidding? Of course she wouldn’t. So he waited with his skin prickling with goosebumps in the chill of the early morning for his naughty little girl to get back from the bathroom.
When she did, she didn’t look tired. At all. No, she seemed bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. All adorable in her “comfy clothes” as she referred to them.
“Back into bed you get,” he instructed, pulling back the covers and pointing to where her behind should be. “Even if you can’t sleep—and I think you will—you can rest quietly.”
Except she stood next to the bed and refused to get under the covers he’d folded back for her.
“I don’t want to go back to bed. Can’t I do something? Like play my Switch or watch TV?”
Apparently docile Plum was gone and slightly bratty Plum was back.
“You heard Doctor Eric yesterday, you’re supposed to rest. Playing video games isn’t resting. Especially given how worked up you get. I’m putting you back to bed.”
“But Daddy—”
“No buts, young lady, unless you want another spanking. And since you’ve already been quite naughty in the past twenty-four hours I don’t think a hand spanking is going to do the trick. You’re going to get paddled.”
Plum bit her lip and seemed to be doing some sort of calculation. Then she looked up at him with those big doe eyes and a slightly pathetic pout.
“Daddy, please. I really need you.”
His heart softened with her murmured words, and he closed the gap between them, took his little plum blossom in his arms. Kissed the top of her head.
“What do you need, darling? Daddy’s here.”
Plum sighed against his chest and wrapped her plump little arms around his waist. She was so very precious.