Unable to answer because her throat was on fire, and her body was convulsing for reasons she did not understand, she just stared at him blankly, sure that he was a mere figment of her imagination who did not require a response.
Freezing cold hands brushed her forehead, and her hero spoke, “Oh, my god, Franny, you’re burning up and you’re soaking wet”
Her brain was full of fuzz. “It was raining. I got wet.”
The look on her hero's face flashed from incredulity to anger and back to concern. “Francesca! Are you seriously telling me that you didn’t bother changing out of your wet clothes when you got home? Seriously? No wonder you’re so sick! You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do young lady.”
Before she was able to even attempt a coherent response, he shook his head again, muttering to himself.
“Forget it Finley, this is not the time for lectures. Get her well, and there will be plenty of time for that later.” He scooped her into his arms and walked through the hall, opening door after door, until he found the bathroom.
*****
Finn’s first instinct when he landed in Oregon, was to find Francesca and spank her silly for leaving without a word. When he got to the apartment and found her door unlocked, his need amplified.
And then he saw her, weak and shivering under a pile of blankets. Her body was so hot with fever, it burnt to the touch. She was nearly delirious with fever, drifting in and out of consciousness, and muttering random bouts of utter nonsense.
When he found the bathroom- he was relieved to find it had a large garden tub, big enough for the both of them. She needed a lukewarm bath to get the fever down, but she was much too weak to bathe on her own.
After starting the tub filling, he somehow managed to hold her up and strip her down at the same time, all the while she muttered nonsense. “Lift your arms, Franny, so I can get your shirt off.”
“But Finley, you’re a great mayor!” she insisted, giving a half-hearted stomp of her foot that nearly sent her falling.
“Thanks, darling,” he chuckled unsure of where that had come from.
He turned her around and unhooked her bra.
“And we haven’t even had sex yet!”
“No, we have not,” he agreed cheerfully, not bothering to add that he planned to rectify that as soon as she was well.
Franny was as limp as a rag doll, and absolutely no help in the process of getting herself undressed.
It was difficult, but he managed to hold her up with one hand, while undoing her belt buckle with another.
“And,” Franny muttered emphatically, “she might not have even been a hooker. We don’t know!”
Finley closed his eyes and held in a laugh. “No, we don’t,” he agreed, only slightly sure that he even had a clue what she was referring to.
Her jeans were soaked, and there was no way he was going to peel them off of her while she was still upright, so he scooped her up, and carefully lay her on the bathroom floor. “Nobody asked me to stay,” she whined. “You all just assumed I was going to. Not fair,” she added with a pout.
“Okay, honey, whatever you say. Just help me get these clothes off you, and we’ll get in the tub, and I promise you’ll start feeling better soon.” He responded without acknowledging her many random bouts of information she was spewing at him, but he was beginning to get a pretty clear picture of what had happened. Between Franny’s mutterings, and the knowledge that she had been with the Ladies Auxiliary, he could see the writing on the wall. If the ladies were giving his Franny a hard time about things they apparently assumed were happening, and threatening his re-election, and causing Franny to have new doubts that mixed with the regular doubts any person in a new relationship would have, well, he could see why she might leave. He didn’t like it, and he still planned on having a stern talk with her once she was coherent enough to receive it, but for the moment, he just wanted to focus on getting her well.
When she was finally undressed he helped her into the tub, stripped off his own clothes, and slid in behind her, so that she could rest on him.
“Daddy,” Francesca whined, “this water is freezing! I’m gonna get hypo-hyper-hippo-”
“Hypothermia? No, you’re not. And the water is not really cold at all. Your body is just really, really hot. Just relax, and let Daddy wash you.”
Finn wasn’t all that worried about washing her, but he did it anyway, hoping the motion would relax her, and get her to stop focusing on the temperature of the water.
Chapter Eighteen
Francesca awoke to the sound of birds chirping and sun gleaming in through the blinds. Her stomach was growling, and she had no memory of somehow making it to her bedroom.
Sitting up in bed, for a moment she was stunned to see that she was home in Oregon, before the memories of the week’s events came rolling back. The baby shower. Katherine Tate. Flying home. The rain. The sickness. Now that she was here, and home, and feeling decent for the first time in days, it seemed silly to have run off, and she missed Finn something fierce. Even when she had been at her least coherent, she had dreams of her daddy taking care of her.
“You’re a big girl, Franny. Take care of yourself,” she said out loud to the empty room. “Finley has his own life, and he is doing good, and he doesn’t need you around complicating things.”
“Why don’t you let Finley decide what he does and doesn’t need?” The man in question came around the corner, carrying a tray of tea and toast, and Franny screamed.
“What in the hell are you doing here, Finley Tucker? Don’t you have a job to do?”
“I have several jobs to do. Currently, the most important one being taking care of my sick little one.” He set the tray on the end table next to her bed, and leaned down planting a chaste kiss on her forehead. “Feels like the fever broke. How are you feeling?”
“Never mind that. How did you get in here, and what are you doing here anyway? How long have you been here?” she added suspiciously, beginning to wonder if her dreams had really been dreams at all.
“I came in on Tuesday evening to find you burning up, shaking with fever, dressed in soaking wet clothes and ranting nonsense.”
“You shouldn’t have come. I can take care of myself.”
“Yes, you were doing such a good job of it.” He handed her the plate of toast. “Eat Francesca, we’ll talk about this later.”
She shoved the toast back at him, “There’s nothing to talk about. This is my home and I don’t want you here. Please leave.”
“There’s plenty to talk about and if you don’t drop the attitude, we’ll be having the discussion with you face down over my lap,” he warned.
Her stomach twisted, and her mouth went dry at the implication. How easy it would be just to fall back into the role of Daddy’s little girl? She wanted it so badly, but for Finn’s sake she needed to give it up, and let him get on with his life. “It’s over, Finley. I tried it, I didn’t like it, and now I’m done. Go home and find someone else to boss around and spank.”
“Francesca,” he growled. “That’s enough. You’re in enough trouble as it is, Don’t make me add lying to the list.”
“Give it up, Finley, there’s no list. I’m done. It’s over. You can’t spank me without my consent.”
His eyes darkened, and he set the toast back on the tray. In one swift move she found herself face down on the bed, her nightshirt pulled up to expose her bottom, and her panties down around her knees.
His hands pulled her cheeks apart, and she felt cool metal pushing on her anus.
“Hold still,” he instructed her gruffly.
“What in the fuck are you doing?” she yelled, flailing even as he held her down. She reared up and twisted around to glare at him. The cold metal pushed past her barrier and invaded her bottom, instantly pushing her submissive buttons.
“I’m taking your temperature.”
“In my ass? What the fuck, Finley? I’m not a child! I have an ear thermometer!”
&n
bsp; He responded by slapping her bottom firmly. “Hold still, or I’ll have to do it again. Rectal thermometers are more accurate, and since you insist on trying to have a conversation that I would rather wait to have, I’m making sure that you are well enough to have it.” He removed the stick and peered at the read out. “Normal. Finally.”
“What? How many times have you taken my temperature?”
“Plenty, you were much more compliant then.”
“Oooh,” she growled at him, pulling up her panties and sitting on the bed. Finley sat also.
“Franny, you can bluster and lie all you want, but you already told me the truth. Every last bit of it, and as I told you then, I am the one in charge, not you.”
“Well, I’m trying to change that, and you won’t let me!”
“I’m talking. You listen.”
Franny sighed, melting at the firmness in his tone, and feeling quite submissive in the moment, even though she didn’t want to. “Yes, Sir.”
“If you ever want out of this dynamic, you tell me. You don’t run away, leaving me frantic with worry, and jump on a plane. Because until we agree otherwise, I am still the daddy, and you are still the little girl, and that doesn’t just change on a whim, because you had a bad day, and let the cruel words of some jealous busybodies get to you. If you have concerns about me, and about us- you discuss them with me, do you understand?”
Relief began to settle, making her feel very silly for the way she had run off. “Yes, Daddy,” she agreed.
“I’m very sorry that you felt pressure and that nobody asked you to stay, instead of just assuming you were going to. To be fair, you never said otherwise, and I didn’t think you would jump into a relationship with me, without having made the decision to stay. Nevertheless, I’m very sorry that I didn't ask. I’m asking now. Francesca,” he said, very seriously, taking her hand in his,” I love you, and I love being your daddy. Being able to take care of you, and love you and discipline you as often as you need it, makes me happier than I have ever been. I could have never imagined the pain it would cause me when you left, even for a day. I don’t ever want to feel that way again. I know we have things to discuss and decisions to make, but I’m asking you now, please Franny, come back home with me, and stay there with me. I need you in my life. Don’t worry about anyone else, and what they think, because they don’t know shit and our opinions are the only ones that matter.”
“But Finley, your job is important. Masonville needs to get out of the dark ages, and have a good mayor like you who is willing to make the important changes.”
“I agree, and that’s not in jeopardy, just because some woman and her daughter are jealous that I decided to date you and not her. Regardless of the things they might say, or the way that they feel, I’m a good mayor and the people of Masonville realize that, and you don’t need to worry your pretty little head about my career, because it’s my job to worry about you and not the other way around.”
“If I move to Masonville, Finn, then I’m worse than just a part time music teacher. I’m unemployed. You’re too good for me.”
“Francesca, this is a conversation we have had and settled. Neither one of us are too good for the other. Not me for you, or you for me. And furthermore, a music teacher is a very respectable profession, and there are many opportunities for you to do the same in Masonville. Now, there is only one question left to answer. Are you going to stay here, and end what we have- or are you going to come home with me and face the music?”
Every fiber of her being longed to jump into his arms and run out the door with him. Everything he said made sense, and she felt a lot better having been actually asked to stay, but first she had to know exactly what music she was facing if she went home. She just had to.
“That depends,” she said only half teasing. “What kind of music will I be facing? Is it happy music?”
“Some of it will be. But there are a few things that need to be dealt with first, princess. Some very serious things.”
Francesca sighed, “Okay, Daddy. Is it cause I ran away instead of talking to you?”
“That’s a big part of it, yes. That scared Daddy very much and it was also very dangerous to run off to another state without so much as a note or text to anyone telling them what you were doing or where you were going. What if something happened to you, and nobody knew where you were?”
Her stomach sank at the use of the word dangerous. Dangerous behavior gets the strap, her inner voice reminded her. But maybe, since they were here in Oregon, without access to Finley’s barrage of implements, he would be forced to improvise.
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes, unfortunately, there are a few things, little one. When I got here, your door was unlocked and you were unconscious from a fever that may, or may not, have been caused by failing to change out of your soaking wet clothes or do anything to keep yourself warm. Daddies don’t like it when little girls fail to practice good self-care. Not taking care of yourself is dangerous too, do you understand.?”
Ugh. There was that word again. How was it possible to be so worried and so turned on at the same time? She wasn’t sure, but the idea that Finn cared for her enough to punish her for not taking care of herself made her feel all warm and gushy inside, completely making up for the fact that not doing so was considered dangerous behavior.
“I’m sorry, Finley. You’re right and I submit to whatever punishment you decide is appropriate,” she said, secretly hoping that he would decide to punish her right then and there.
“Thank you, little one. That means a lot that you accept my discipline and understand that I have your best interests at heart. But, discipline is going to have to be delayed until we get back home. I had a very big weekend planned for us, and if it’s at all possible, I’d like to go ahead with my plans, assuming that you feel well enough to travel.”
Rats. So much for avoiding that strap, she thought to herself. The rest of the weekend sounded promising though. And it all couldn’t be discipline based, as it sounded like he had had the plan before she had done anything wrong.
“I see your hamster wheels turning, Franny, and I’m not giving you any details other than to say that the weekend will begin with you being held accountable for your poor decisions. But, it has not escaped me that you still haven’t answered my original question. So what’s it going to be, are you staying here, or coming with me?”
Chapter Nineteen
Francesca was slightly nervous as she drove over to Finley’s on Friday evening. They had returned to Masonville earlier that afternoon, and Finn had requested that she go home, rest up, and give him a few hours to prepare.
Perhaps her nervousness stemmed from the fact that he refused to tell her what his preparations consisted of, and what exactly he was preparing for. Maybe they stemmed from knowing that Finley was finally healed, and they would finally have an opportunity to be intimate after weeks of sexual frustration. Whatever the case was, her stomach was in her throat, and she felt like she might throw up if she had to wait even an hour longer.
When she pulled up in front of his house, she all but jumped out of the truck, and raced up to the door. Finley must have been anxious too, because he pulled it open before she ever got a chance to knock.
She shut the door behind her, and they stood there in silence staring at each other expectantly. Finally, Finley cleared his throat. “Have you eaten?”
“Yes, Sir.” Even if she hadn’t there was no way she would be able to now, but she didn’t tell him that.
“Good. Then we can begin. We need to address your punishments first. You have waited long enough, and I would like to get them out of the way, but they are going to be dealt with slightly differently this time. As always, you will follow my instructions down to the letter or there will be consequences.”
The tension and attraction in the room was so thick, the air felt stuffy to breathe, and Francesca had to take large gulping breaths before she could answer. “Yes, Sir.”<
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“No, sirs tonight. From this point on you will address me as Daddy, and allow me to take care of your every need.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Listen carefully little one. You will go upstairs, shower and shave, no bra or panties tonight, you won’t need them. No make-up, hair in pigtails. There are two outfits laid out on the bed for you- the pajamas are for later, put the other one on right now. When you are dressed, you will set the timer for twenty minutes, and excuse yourself to the corner, where you will stand with your hands behind your back for the full twenty minutes. When the timer goes off, you will come find me, and ask me for your spanking, at no later than 6:45.” He had given her approximately forty-five minutes to accomplish it all, and she knew without asking that if it wasn’t done within the allotted time period, there would be consequences for that, too.
“Yes, Daddy,” she agreed quickly, and scurried up the stairs to do his bidding.
The thought of having to ask Finley to spank her was both horrifying and arousing, and the anticipation of having that experience kept her mind occupied throughout her shower, leaving her no time to wonder about the fact that he had picked out her outfits. The pigtails made her feel a bit silly, and juvenile, but, she reasoned, she was about to be turned over her daddy’s knee for a spanking, and it didn’t get much more juvenile than that.
When she made her way into his bedroom after the shower, she found that it actually did get more juvenile. Much more. The first outfit wasn’t too bad, while certainly younger than her everyday apparel, the short pleated denim skirt, and pink blouse was still reflective of her personality The skirt was short enough to barely cover her bare bottom, and the blouse could be sexed up a bit if she left a few buttons undone. Soft pink cowboy boots lay on the bed beside it, and she quickly dressed before peering into the second bag.
The second bag-oh, wow. The second bag was the last thing she had expected. Bubble gum pink, one piece pajamas with an old fashioned drop seat for easy access. Picturing herself wearing them, and having Finley undo the seat to inspect her bare bottom after her spanking, had her dripping with want. There was no time for her to examine her feelings on the matter, as she now had exactly twenty-three minutes to do her corner-time, and ask Finley for her spanking.
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