“All right. How about . . . Romeo.”
“Romeo?” He grinned. “All right, Romeo it is.”
“I find it hard to . . . to let other people see me without being covered up. It makes me feel vulnerable.”
“I get that. Won’t push you into anything that you’re not ready for. If you need to stay fully clothed, then that’s what you’ll do. This is at your pace, Duchess. Not mine.”
“You’re a good man, Brick.”
“Wish I was better.”
“I have anxiety. I take medication for it. And I have ways of managing it. I know Reuben might have mentioned it to you, but I wanted to tell you too.”
“Are you allowed to drink alcohol while taking your medication?”
She shook her head.
“Damn it, baby girl. Wish you’d told me.”
“Not something that’s easy to admit. But I wanted to tell you, so you know why I have the issues that I do. I think I’ll always have them. Are you sure you can put up with me being like this?”
“Put up with? There is no putting up with you. I care about you just the way you are. I don’t want you to change. I just want you to be happy and healthy.”
“I am. I mean, I know I still have issues and have to take medication. And I wasn’t really happy with my job. But with you, I feel more settled. Less like a freak and more normal.”
“Hey, I don’t ever want you to call yourself a freak, understand me?” His face was stern. “Or you’ll get yourself one hell of a spanking.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Does Little space help? With your anxiety?”
“Yeah. It’s like a stress relief. I don’t feel nearly as worried about everything. Which is amazing, since I worry a lot.”
“And you’re sure about this sort of relationship? Me being your dominant? Having rules and punishments?”
“Truthfully?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s all I’ve dreamed of. Rules and boundaries make me feel safer. And well, it seems I have a bit of a bratty streak.”
“You don’t say,” he drawled, making her smile.
“This sort of relationship, I think it’s exactly what I need.”
“You’ll tell me if anything I do makes you feel like you’re less or that you’re being taken advantage of or need to get out—”
She put her hand over his mouth. “You need to trust me, too. I know that there’s a difference between harm and hurt. And knowing that you’ll punish me if needed will give me closure so I don’t have to keep worrying. Anything I can do to stop worrying is a blessing.”
“I get it, although I’ll still check in with you.”
“That’s what makes you a good Dom, and a great Daddy.”
“That’s another rule. No drinking while on your medication.”
“Yes, Daddy. I didn’t really enjoy the experience.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. It happens again, and you won’t sit for a long while.”
Her bottom tingled at the idea. She still had yet to experience a spanking and she really wanted to know what it would feel like.
“What else helps with your anxiety?”
“Having you hold me.”
“Good, because that makes me less anxious too.”
The idea of big, strong Brick being anxious made her smile.
“Strangely, sucking on something. Like my pacifier.”
“Or my fingers?”
“Yeah,” she whispered.
“I have another idea for when you’re ready to be more intimate. I knew a Little who had anxiety once and it helped her.”
“What was it?”
He stared down at her for a long moment. “I don’t know whether to tell you yet. You might think I’m trying to push you into something you’re not ready for.”
“Now, you’re still owed a punishment.”
She poked her lip out. “Maybe we can forget it just this once?”
He raised an eyebrow. “From what you’ve told me, it makes you feel more secure knowing that I will follow through. And there are several other punishments I have yet to follow through with. Although that will change tonight.”
Oh, barnacles!
“Drat my honesty.”
His chest moved as he laughed. “First, though, you need to decide on your limits. They might change over time, so I’ll check in with you every so often. Is having me bare your bottom all right?”
She sucked in a breath. She could put it as a limit, but she wanted to test herself. “I want to try.”
“My brave girl.”
Satisfaction filled her.
“We’ll start with just my hand, then later on, we can discuss whether you’re okay with other things.”
His hand was pretty big. Hm, she wondered if that whole big hands, big cock thing was true. Or wait, was that big feet, big cock? She looked down at his feet. She’d need to ask Kiesha. She knew everything. Even when she didn’t, she’d make it up.
“I won’t know what to do, though.”
“You don’t have to take the lead. Just use your safeword if things become too overwhelming or frightening.”
“All right, I can do that.”
He kissed her gently. “But right now, it’s time for you to get back in the corner.”
She pouted as he put her on her feet then stood. “The corner’s boring though, Daddy.”
“That’s the point. You’re supposed to reflect on your naughty behavior and how you can avoid such behavior in the future.”
“I wasn’t that naughty though, Daddy.”
“You didn’t drink all your water and tried to hide that you hadn’t by giving it to your dolly.”
“Silly Angelique, if she’d just drunk the water like she was supposed to, then this wouldn’t be happening,” she complained.
“Uh, no, if Juliet had drunk her water like she was supposed to, then this wouldn’t be happening,” he countered as he positioned her in the corner. Then he moved behind her to lower the drop seat on her onesie.
She stiffened slightly.
He ran a hand down her back. “Easy, baby girl. You can do this.”
She could do this. He believed in her. She just had to believe that she was strong enough. His fingers pulled down her panties. There was a small moment of panic, of wondering what he thought, if he hated what he saw. But then his fingers brushed down one butt cheek.
A small noise escaped her and he leaned into her, brushing his lips against her neck. “So gorgeous. Who knew you were hiding such a sexy ass under your loose dresses? Plump and pretty.”
Plump and pretty? Seriously?
And yet, with each word of praise, her tension eased.
“Given how naughty you are, I’m certain to get a lot of close-ups of this ass in the future.”
She sucked in a gasp at those words. “Daddy! I’m not naughty.”
Before she thought better of it, she stomped her foot. Whoops.
Silly foot. It seemed to have a mind of its own. Somehow, she thought that wasn’t going to go down well. Brick could be extremely gentle, but also rather stern.
Mr. Grumpy Butt.
Brick placed his hands on the wall, his front burning against her back. She gave a slight moan as she pushed her ass back into him. Arousal flooded her. Yikes. She pressed her thighs together, hoping he couldn’t smell how turned on she was.
What was it about this position that did it for her?
“Are you having a tantrum, Duchess?” he drawled. “Do you need some help settling into corner time?”
Did she?
“No, Daddy,” she squeaked out. Although she wasn’t entirely sure about that.
“Now, I think that’s a lie. I think you need Daddy’s help.” He moved to her side. “Push that bottom out. That’s it.” He drew the sides of the onesie apart, baring her bottom even more.
She let out a slight noise of surprise and he calmly placed a hand over her bottom, warming the skin. “What’s your safeword?”
“Romeo.”
“You’ll use it if you need to. Just remember, Daddy is your protector, your guide, your confidant. I would never do anything to make you feel small or less than me. You’re first. Daddy is always second. And that’s the way he likes it. Because when his baby girl is happy and healthy, then Daddy is doing his job right.”
The words settled around her, like a weighted blanket. Holding her together, making her feel protected, loved.
She sucked in a breath. Did she love him? Could she?
“Understand?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. Now, Daddy is going to help you settle into position, and remember, corner time is for reflecting about how naughty you were and what you might do next time to avoid ending up in the corner.”
How would he help her settle? Would . . . ouch!
“Daddy!” She moved her hands back to her bare butt. Which he’d just whacked. “No, that hurt. Bad Daddy.”
“No, naughty Juliet,” he countered. “Move your hands to the wall. You mustn’t ever put your hands on your bottom. They could get hurt.”
“My butt is hurt!”
“Your butt is meant to hurt. Now, I’m going to count, and each number is how many extra spanks you’re going to get once those hands are moved. One—”
She moved her hands back to the wall, ignoring his chuckle. She was no idiot.
“That’s better. One extra, so that means you have three more.”
Three. She could do this. It wasn’t as bad as she thought to be honest. And a small sliver of disappointment filled her.
Wait. What?
How often had she wondered what it would be like to be held accountable for her actions, to be punished? That wasn’t Xavier’s thing. He tended to treat her like she was fragile.
And he’s not your Daddy. He never was. Never will be. So, stop thinking about him like that.
Another smack drew her from her thoughts. Oh, that was good. She might not like the way her butt stung, but she did like how it cleared her mind.
Smack! Smack!
Whew! It was over. Her first spanking. Wow. She couldn’t believe she was concerned about it. She’d handled it like a pro.
If she did say so herself.
“Good girl,” Brick praised, rubbing her bottom. She preened under his praise. She was a good girl. “Ten minutes of corner time. You’re to stay still and think about why you’re here, then I will tell you when to move.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Dude. She totally rocked this punishment thing. If this was as bad as it was going to be, then she’d be free to do anything she liked with little consequence.
Ten minutes later, she was supremely bored and rethinking that stance.
Corner time sucked.
There was only so much thinking she wanted to do. And she had toys to play with. Her fort was calling her.
“All right, corner time is finished. Come here, Duchess.”
Turning, she skipped over to where he sat on a high-backed chair. Where had he found that chair, and why was it in her playroom? It didn’t go with any of the furniture.
She skidded to a stop with a frown. “What’s that chair doing in here? Where did you find it?”
He raised an eyebrow at her questions. “Hm, I’m not sure I like that tone in your voice. Do you want to try that again?”
She swallowed heavily. Whoops. She probably did sound a bit demanding and rude. But she was never keen on change. Found it hard to adjust. And this was her playroom.
“Sorry, Daddy. But it doesn’t suit the playroom. Why is it in here?”
“It’s here because it’s just become your spanking chair.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“I agree, it doesn’t fit the décor. But that’s the point, really. Because it’s not a chair that you want Daddy to sit in as that means you’re going to get your butt spanked.”
Her hands went reflectively behind her ass. “But, Daddy! I’ve already had my spankin’.”
Brick looked confused, then surprised. “What? You mean those smacks you got in the corner? That wasn’t your spanking, that was to settle you down. And one was because you moved your hands.”
“But . . . but . . .” She couldn’t even find words.
“Oh, poor Duchess. You really thought that was your spanking?” He gave her a sympathetic look and she stuck out her lower lip, feeling very sorry for herself. He held out his hand to her. “Come here.”
She took it, letting him settle her onto his lap. He held her tight, and she cuddled in, her face burying against his chest. This was undoubtedly her favorite place to be. His touch settled her. She felt so safe. Wanted. Cherished.
“You’re the best man I’ve ever met, Brick Sampson,” she whispered.
He froze for a moment. “I’m not a good man.”
“You are.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I live in a studio apartment in a neighborhood I wouldn’t allow you to step a foot into. My bank account is empty. My business is on the brink of bankruptcy. I’m grouchy and bossy. You should run a mile from me.”
“Brenton Sampson,” she said indignantly. Drawing back, she glared up at him. “Do you really think I’m so shallow that the only reason I’d want to be with you is because of what you could give me?”
“Well, obviously not since I can’t give you any of this.” He waved his hand around the room.
She cupped his face between her hands. “All of this is just stuff, you silly man. It can’t love me, or hug me, or keep me safe.”
“The alarm system you have will do a pretty good job of keeping you safe.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “Are you being deliberately obtuse?”
He shifted around, looking uncomfortable and her heart softened. “I don’t want stuff, I want you. The man who takes care of me fiercely and without apology. Who pumps up my bike tires even though I can’t ride it. Who worries that I’m not drinking enough water. Who is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure I’m happy.”
“That’s all I want, baby girl.” He kissed her gently. “Now, enough buttering me up. Time for your spanking.”
“But Daddy, surely we can forget about that now.”
“Surely we cannot.” He lifted her off his lap, then helped guide her so she was lying across his thighs. “I know there are things I can’t give you. That will take a long time for me to give you, but there are things you need that I can give you. Like the spanking you need.”
“Daddy, nobody needs a spanking,” she argued.
“I have to disagree.” He rubbed his hand over her bottom. “You most certainly need a spanking.”
21
Damn, his luck was looking up. He couldn’t believe this gorgeous, beautiful, darling girl was his. That she didn’t care that he didn’t have two pennies to rub together.
He knew it was shallow to worry about money, but he wanted to give her everything she deserved.
And you will. Just don’t let your insecurities get to you. Do not push her away.
Yeah. No way he was letting that happen.
His cock grew hard and he knew she could feel it from the way she sucked in her breath.
“Ignore it, Duchess. It just thinks you’re so damn beautiful, it can’t help itself.”
“Could I see it?” she asked.
Shock made him still. She wanted to see him?
“Forget it, I shouldn’t have asked,” she said hastily.
“You can ask me anything. And you can see my cock any time you like.”
“Any time?” she asked slyly.
“When we’re alone,” he hastily added. “Brat. You don’t ever have to be shy or embarrassed about asking me for what you need, Juliet.”
“It’s not weird?”
“Uh, that you want to admire my dick? Nah, that’s not weird at all. Be weird if you didn’t want to.”
She giggled, the way he’d intended.
“But that has t
o wait until after your spanking. What’s your safeword?”
“Did you forget already, Daddy? I suppose you are pretty old.”
He tickled the inside of her thighs until she squealed with laughter. “No, brat, I didn’t forget. I want you to say it so you remember it.”
“It’s Romeo, Daddy. Stop!”
“Say it if you need to. Ten is the count.”
He started smacking her bottom, turning her pale skin pink. She started kicking her feet, wriggling on his lap, which was doing little to help his raging hard-on.
Pausing, he ran his finger down the crack of her ass as she sobbed for breath. “Is it o-over, Daddy?”
Aww. His poor girl.
“No, baby girl. You’re halfway through.”
She let out a cry of despair that he was pretty sure was exaggerated.
“Five more, unless you’re saying your safeword?”
“No, Daddy.”
He started in again, moving his hand lower and peltering spank after spank onto her full cheeks. It wasn’t a really hard spanking. Not for her first punishment, especially when she had more owing tonight.
While she cried, he turned her over and then lifted her into his arms to carry her into her bedroom. He tried to lay her down on her bed, but she held onto him, refusing to let go.
“Shh, Duchess. I’m going to come in with you. Just let me get you some tissues and a washcloth. Good girl, here’s your pacifier.”
He managed to get her onto the bed and she grasped hold of her blankie. Quickly, he wet a cloth and grabbed some tissues, and then he somehow managed to get into the cot-bed with her. It wasn’t an easy fit.
She grasped hold of him, clinging with her hand in his shirt and her face pressed to his neck. His skin was soon wet from her tears, but he held her until she calmed. Then drawing her back, he wiped her cheeks and nose with the tissue, directing her to blow before wiping her red face down with the cloth.
“There you are, Duchess. Good as new.”
She gave him a skeptical look and he bit his lip to hide his smile.
“My bottom is not as good as new,” she told him haughtily.
“Hm, better look at it. Roll over.”
Her mouth dropped open. “No!”
“Duchess, roll over. Aftercare is my job and I need to make sure you’re all right.”
Her Daddies’ Saving Grace Page 21