Page 123 of Cowboy Daddies

“No more barriers, babygirl. Not between us. Let’s get this done.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

“Three.”

I braced for the strap. He targeted my left side. It hurt but it wasn’t as bad as the others. Whether it was because there was nothing left to uncover, all the gunk was being purged, or something else, I wasn’t sure. Breathing into the burn, I let the feeling roll across my body and released it. My heart felt lighter, like the burdens I’d been carrying left when the walls came down.

“Almost there. Four,” he said soothingly.

My right buttcheek smarted as the leather bit into it, but I embraced the sensation. I wasn’t tense anymore. “Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for taking the time to explain yourself, you didn’t have to.”

Callum sucked in a breath. As if he wasn’t expecting something so raw to come out of me as he delivered the spanking. “You don’t have to thank me, baby. I think it’s important for you to understand why I’m doing the things I’m doing. Five.”

He caught my sit-spots, the pain blotting out any more complicated thoughts. I cried hard while he patted my hip, whispering gentle words of praise.

“You’re taking your corrections so well, babygirl. Last one. Six.”

He completed the last stroke without fanfare. It stung badly, but I was already sobbing. Once it was over, Callum carefully turned me around on the bed, shifted me into his arms and held me against his chest.

“We’re all done. It’s okay, Quinn. You’re safe with me. You can let go of whatever has been bothering you so much. I’m here now.”

“I know you are, I do. I promise I’ll behave from now on.”

“Shhh, babygirl. I expect you to push my buttons, especially when I don’t hold up my end of the bargain. The time just kept flying through my fingers. I’ve created a better routine for myself so it doesn’t happen again.”

Clinging to him like my lifeline, I calmed my breathing. The tears ceased until only a few strays slipped down my cheeks. Callum fell into the role I’d wanted so long ago. While it was overwhelming and we barely knew each other as adults, it felt so right. We used to spend hours together, sharing secrets, talking about our futures. I realized despite my insistence that we weren’t friends, he had been there for me. I hadn’t connected the dots until he returned to town. Callum left me behind once; he could do it again. Confessing the pattern to him lifted most of the weight off my shoulders. He promised not to leave me or turn me away and I believed him.

“I hope Daddy doesn’t have to use his belt again anytime soon to drive the lesson home, sweet girl. Are you okay?”

“Not really, but I will be. My butt is sore.”

“Let Daddy see.” Callum turned me around in his arms. He gently rubbed my bottom but I hissed. “My belt left lots of little kisses all over your gorgeous ass. Go take a bath. I’ll get you some clothes and whatever essentials you want from your cottage. Text me what you need. I want you here with me.”

Any protest I had left in me had faded. “Yes, Daddy. But what about my truck?”

“I’ll hose it down, no more tasks tonight. You can take care of Glimmer, but that’s it. We’re having a date night. I’m going to spoil you. Go on.”

I crawled off his lap. “Chicken parmesan?”

“Mmmhmm. Then cuddling on the porch swing.”

I kissed him once, then again. “Okay, I’ll send you what I need.” I leaned into him, kissing him passionately.

“Baby, if you keep kissing me like that, I’ll be too distracted to do anything other than plant you in bed and worship every inch of you with my mouth,” he said, growling.

I gave him what I hoped was an innocent smirk. “I sort of love that idea too.”

“Go on, brat. I’ll save you for dessert.”

My heart felt lighter than it had in years. Maybe in my whole life. I padded off to the bathroom, knowing he watched every step. “Yes, Sir.”

Chapter Four

Callum

Holding Quinn against me while the cicadas sang and fireflies danced across the front yard brought serenity I hadn’t experienced since I’d left Brighton Creek all those years ago. When she confessed that she thought I’d leave her again, it had taken everything in me not to profess my love right there. I hated that she linked my need to find something meaningful outside of our town with her not being good enough. As if she could have said or done something that would have changed my mind.

“I’ve missed you, missed this,” I said quietly while inhaling the smell of her, vanilla and some sort of warm musk. We had cooked together, cleaned up and everything had felt incredibly domestic in a way I hadn’t experienced in a relationship. Maybe not ever if I was being honest with myself. “I’m sorry I didn’t keep in touch more.”