Chapter Fifteen
James watched his wifehurry through the entryway to the dining area where they kept the liquor cabinet. When she’d disappeared from sight, he grinned and shook his head.
“Jumbo drinks?” Bryant cocked an eyebrow at him, obviously waiting for the rest of the story.
“Yeah. She went out with Shannon the other night and ‘technically’ only had one drink like she’d been told. But considering she herself confessed that ‘one drink’ was really the equivalent of several margaritas, she earned every bit of the paddling she got the next day.”
“Poor little brat.”
James narrowed his eyes at his brother. “Don’t let her hear you say that.”
“Why not? All the easier to convince her to run away with me,” Bryant shot back with an easy grin.
“Asshole.”
“Jerk.”
James pulled his brother in for a quick, hard hug. Even that short embrace settled him, gave him back some of the strength he’d lost over the past few days. “God, I’ve missed you.”
“I know. I don’t come around enough.”
The pair separated and James punched his twin in his rock-hard shoulder. “You don’t. But Olivia and I haven’t invited you in a while, either. She misses you, too.”
“I know, I know. Jeez, just lay the guilt on me, Mom.” Bryant rubbed at the back of his neck, a habit James recognized since he’d caught himself doing so on more than one occasion when the matriarch of the Monroe family had given him a piece of her mind.
“Doesn’t matter. You’re here now. Thanks for coming, by the way. We need someone who can cut through the bullshit without letting emotions get in the way.”
With a derisive snort, Bryant shook his head. “I’ll do my best, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling some pretty strong fucking emotions about the whole thing. I love her too, you know.”
Olivia waltzed back into the foyer with a distinctly mischievous smile on her face. When she tilted her face up for a kiss, he tasted peppermint on her lips. Well, that explained the smile. His little brat was looking for a spanking. “Olivia Jane Monroe. Did you have a drink after I told you not to?”
Her gaze slid to Bryant and back to him. As much as she tried to look contrite, there was no mistaking the excitement in her eyes. His little girl had a bit of an exhibitionist streak, at least with people she knew and trusted. It was something he didn’t often indulge her in, as he generally preferred to keep her to himself. But if it took her mind off of the horror surrounding them, even for five minutes, he was willing to play along.
“It was just a little sip, Daddy.”
Keeping his gaze stern, he caught her chin in his hand and forced her to meet his eyes. “But you still disobeyed me, didn’t you, young lady?”
“Um. I guess.”
He released her chin and wrapped an arm around her waist, forcing her to bend over. With one arm still holding her in place, he tugged her leggings down enough to bare her still pink bottom. The plug he’d chosen was topped with a bright pink jewel that winked at them from between her bottom cheeks.
“What a cute little plug you have in, Livvy,” Bryant said with a deep chuckle. “Too bad it didn’t do its job, huh?”
“Oh, hush, you!”
James landed several hard swats to her bare bottom that sent her dancing. “Watch your tone, young lady, or I’ll let Bryant have a turn when I’m done.”
Bryant grinned at his declaration. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d gotten to warm Livvy’s bottom, and James knew he wouldn’t turn down a chance to do so again.
“Actually,” James lifted his hand and swatted her bottom a few more times, loving the way she squealed and wiggled with each swat, “I think we need a new rule. If you get punished in front of Bryant, he gets to spank you, too.”
“What? Ouch! That’s not fair!”
After another dozen spanks, James let her up. He cupped her face in his hands and rubbed his thumbs along her heated cheeks. “If you really don’t want Bryant to spank you, just say the word, little one.”
But it wasn’t fear or refusal in her eyes. Oh, no, his little girl was enjoying every second of this. “It’s okay, Daddy. I was really naughty.”