Did I fight? Did I so much as utter a single sentence in my own defense in any of those situations?
No. I just took it, and tried my best to make everyone happy.
And yet, here I am, facedown over a stranger’s lap while he spanks me so hard I don’t know how I’ll ever sit comfortably again because he thinks I’mdefiant. All because I was trying, once again, to make someone happy at my own expense.
The injustice of it all wells up inside me and I want to scream. To curse, to rail against him.
Instead, I just burst into tears.
“There we go.” Lifting me up to settle on my lap, my tormentor cuddles me close, pressing a kiss to my hair. “Are you ready to be Daddy’s good girl and do as you’re told now, little Tabby?”
Of course I am, because that’s all I knowhowto be, isn’t it? Misery threatens to choke me as I nod against his chest. “Y-yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. Now, tell Daddy what was wrong a moment ago.”
It seems silly now, but I don’t want another spanking so I don’t dare refuse him. “The water is too hot.”
“Oh, baby.” Just like that, his voice changes from stern and demanding to worried and frantic. “Are you hurt? Did it burn you?”
Shifting me in his arms, he runs his hands over my legs, and as much as I don’t want it to, the gesture fills my chest with warmth. “No, it was just hotter than I like it.”
“I’m sorry, baby.” Sighing, he pulls away a bit, a wry smile twisting his lips. “My nieces both seem to enjoy being boiled alive in the bath, so I assumed you would, as well. But I should have asked, and for that I’m sorry. Can you forgive me, little one?”
The switch-up from strict disciplinarian to apologetic Daddy nearly gives me whiplash. “Oh, um, it’s okay. You don’t have to apologize.”
He pins me with that hard glare again, and I shrink back from his anger. “When someone does something that hurts you, you have every right to expect an apology.”
Chewing on my bottom lip, I consider his words. And maybe I’m feeling bold because he’s been so sweet about this whole thing, or maybe I’ve just lost my freaking mind, but whatever the reason, I say the first thing that comes to my mind. “Does that mean you’re going to apologize for spanking me? ‘Cuz thatreallyhurt.”
To my surprise, he doesn’t glower at me again. Instead, he throws his head back and laughs, long and loud. “There’s my little firecracker. I was wondering where she was hiding.”
I can only blink up at him. “Firecracker?Me?”
Of all the words people have ever used to describe me, I can guarantee that “firecracker” hasnevercrossed anyone’s mind.
“Mmhmm. Just be careful. Being sassy will get you spanked, especially by your Uncle Eli. And if you cross the line from playful sass to disrespectful, Daddy will not hesitate to wash your mouth out with soap.”
“I don’t think I even know how to be disrespectful,” I mumble as he leans over to add some cold water to the tub.
“Well that’s good news for your mouth and your bottom, babygirl.” Sticking his hand in the water, he swishes it around. “Okay, I think that’s better. Let me know if it’s still too hot.”
He helps me back into the giant tub, and I let out a quiet sigh. “That’s perfect. Thank you, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome, baby. Daddy’s going to let you soak for a bit but then we have to get you washed up so we can get packed up and checked out. Would you like to go anywhere special forbreakfast? We have a little bit of time before we have to be at the airport.”
Feeling a bit bolder since he hasn’t punished me for speaking my mind yet, I peek up at him through my lashes. “Yes.”
He smiles brightly, as if he wants nothing more in the world than to grant my every desire. “Where do you want to go, little one?”
“Home. I wanna go home for breakfast.”
Again to my surprise, he doesn’t spank me or even scold me for being so daring. Instead, he almost looks sympathetic. “I’m sorry, baby, but no. If there’s anything truly sentimental you want from your old life, I’ll send someone to pick it up for you. But you won’t ever be going back there yourself.”
“You can’t just keep me prisoner,” I manage to whisper, despite the panic wrapped tightly around my throat. “It’s notright.”
“I suppose you’d prefer we live together for two years before I kick you out with no notice so I can fuck someone else, then?”
His words land like a physical blow in my chest. “How do you…”
