“Are you going to listen to Daddy?”
“Yes! Promise!” She pressed her toes into the carpet, keeping her feet in place by sheer force of will. The instinct to kick up and cover her bottom was strong, but her bottom ached and burned and she just wanted it over so her daddy would hold her.
“Last five, little one. Stay in place.”
She was staying in place! Why did he need to remind her to do something she was already doing?
Her answer was delivered in a line of fire across the tops of her thighs. Goddammit, she hated that spot! She buried her face in the duvet, and every ounce of energy she possessed was channeled into staying still.
The next four were delivered with measured precision across her thighs. By the time the final stroke fell, she was exhausted from the effort it had taken to stay in place. A rough hand stroked her bottom and she whimpered at even that soft contact.
“Poor baby. Daddy’s so proud of you. You didn’t even move once.”
Now that the whipping was over, she had nothing to focus on but the pain in her bottom. It began to overwhelm her and her breath hitched.
James stretched out on her bed and held his arms open to her. Accepting the invitation, she scrambled up and curled up next to him. When his arms came around her, the dam broke.
“That’s my good girl,” he crooned, stroking a hand over her hair as she wept. “I love you, Livvy. So much.”
“I l-love you t-too. I’m s-sorry I didn’t l-listen.”
“I know. It’s all behind us now. Clean slate.”
There was nothing left to say that they hadn’t already said. Letting his comfort surround her, she pressed her face into his chest and wept until she had no tears left inside of her.
When it was over, she felt hollowed out, but in a good way. Like all of the bad feelings had been scooped out of her and thrown away. Olivia sighed and snuggled into her daddy’s arms.
“Feel better, little one?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Let’s get to bed, then.”
When she sat up, she winced at the flash of pain when her welted bottom pressed into the mattress. She’d definitely be careful to follow Daddy’s instructions.
At least for a little while.
* * *
Standing in front ofthe mirror in their bathroom, Olivia craned her neck to see if there were any marks left. She pressed her fingers against a slightly discolored spot, savoring the flash of pain. Other than that one little spot, the welts and redness were gone, with only a slight lingering ache to remind her of her multiple punishments the night before.
As strange as it was, she was disappointed by the lack of marks and discomfort. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a punishment or even a play session that had stayed with her the next day. Resigned to a day of sitting comfortably, she walked into the bedroom to dress.
James was already dressed, looking perfect as always in his dress slacks and shirt. He frowned when he saw her, most likely due to her still being naked when she had about five minutes left to get ready. “Livvy, you need to get moving. You’re going to be late.”
With a roll of her eyes, she turned toward her closet. “I’m getting dressed. Geez.”
“Excuse me? Try that again, young lady.”
Ugh. As much as she’d missed him, missed this, it was hard not to resent the scolding tone. “I’m getting dressed,Daddy. Happy?”
She’d turned away, so she couldn’t see his expression, but he didn’t answer. Didn’t so much as growl in response to her sass.
Great. They were back where they started. So much for a fresh start. Fighting back tears, she stomped into her closet and jerked a blouse off a hanger. She was reaching for a skirt when strong fingers closed around her upper arm.
Both of their closets had come with a long bench smack in the middle. James sat on the bench and yanked her across his knees.
The first crack of her hairbrush across her backside had her howling.