God, why couldn’t she just be the good girl he deserved? He was so sweet, so understanding, it really wasn’t fair to him to have to deal with her outbursts and defiance.
Three more strokes fell in quick succession, and the leather reappeared on the couch beside her.
“Come here, baby.”
That was it? Straightening, she turned to him, moisture pooling on her lashes. “Are we done?”
“That depends. Are you going to be a good girl for Daddy?”
Her head snapped up and down so fast it was a wonder she didn’t give herself whiplash.
“Then we’re done, jellybean. You don’t need to be covered in welts and bruises to learn a lesson.”
“I know, but…” she trailed off, lowering her eyes to the floor.
“You were expecting more?”
Without looking up, she nodded silently.
“This was the first time I’ve had to actually punish you for something like this. The next time it happens, I won’t be so lenient. But as far as I’m concerned, the issue has been dealt with and we have a clean slate again.”
The guilt that had been sitting like a rock in her gut began to break apart and she lifted her head to smile at him. “Promise?”
“Promise, jellybean.” Cupping her face in his hands, he lowered his lips to hers in a kiss that was almost chaste, but still managed to settle the last of her jumping nerves.
“Come on. You can sit with me while I make dinner and tell me about your day. And if you’re a good girl, there’s banana pudding for dessert.”
Chapter 9
Feeling lighterthan she’d expected to, after pulling her panties back up, she happily followed him into the kitchen. She hopped up onto a countertop, her feet swinging as she watched him pull ingredients from the fridge.
“What’s for dinner, Daddy?”
“Coq au vinwith apommepureeand fresh garden greens.”
“Oh. That sounds, um, interesting.”
The twitching of his lips gave him away a second before he burst out laughing. “Relax, jellybean. It’s just a fancy way of saying chicken and mashed potatoes, and a salad.”
She grabbed the towel sitting next to her and flung it, hitting him square in the face. “You could have just said that!”
“I could have, but it’s so cute to watch you make those little faces when you’re trying not to be rude, but you’re completely horrified.”
“Meanie.”
“I guess it was a little mean. Forgive me?”
“Maybe. But only after you pay the penalty.”
Amusement twinkled in his eyes. “What’s the penalty?”
“Five kisses.”
“Hmmm. That seems pretty steep, but I think I can manage.” Caging her in with his arms, he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the little hollow between her shoulder and neck. Her eyes fluttered closed and she tilted her head to the side to give him better access. The second kiss was delivered a little further up her neck. A soft brush of his lips along the line of her jaw for the third.
Butterflies danced in her stomach when he kissed her cheek. And when he finally took her mouth, the butterflies exploded into madness. Unlike the sweet, chaste kiss he’d given her after her spanking, this kiss was deeper, full of promise. Instinctively, her knees spread to allow him access and he stepped closer, his hands running up her thighs, under her skirt.
With a soft whimper of need, she draped her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer.