Page 33 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

Am I imagining the disappointment in his voice? I must be, I assure myself as he helps me to my feet. There’s no possible way he’s feeling slighted because I didn’t let him snuggle me.

Right?

I’m distracted from my mental wanderings by the sound of Dane’s voice, firm but tinged with amusement. “Come here, Vanessa.”

It suddenly occurs to me I’m completely naked from the waist down in front of multiple strangers and one of my closest friends. Face flaming as hot as my bottom feels, I tug at the hem of Dane’s shirt as I shuffle over to him.

“None of that,” he scolds gently, swatting lightly at my hands. “Naughty Little girls don’t need privacy.”

“I did not consent to all these people seeing me naked,” I grumble, earning myself a wicked laugh from my tormentor.

“That ship has sailed, don’t you think, little fox?”

A memory of me, splayed out atop their makeshift altar while he strips me naked pops into my mind and all I can do is scowl. “Still. This seems excessive.”

Brown eyes blaze with hunger. “Trust me, little fox. I can be far more over the top if you’d like. This is me showing restraint.”

I really, really do not want to know what his version of over the top looks like, so I don’t argue any further as he pulls me down over his lap and flips the shirt up to bare my bottom. A rough hand cups my ass, squeezing the freshly spanked skin, and I have to roll my lips together to stop the pained whimper from escaping.

“It was very naughty of you to leave the room without waiting for Uncle Axel, little girl. Next time you’re tempted to ignore the instructions another grown-up gives you, I want you to remember this spanking.”

Just like Axel, he spanks hard and fast, covering every inch of my already aching bottom with blistering swats.

And just like when Axel spanked me, it takes almost no time at all for me to succumb to the pain. “I’m sorry, Daddy! I’m sorry!”

To my horror, he doesn’t stop the way Axel did. Instead, he shifts his focus lower, catching those sensitive spots where my ass meets my thighs. Spots that are still sore from my whipping last night. Tears well in my eyes and when I open my mouth to apologize again, a sob bursts out of me instead, furthering my humiliation.

“Poor little fox,” Dane murmurs as he scoops me up, cradling me on his lap, my aching ass pressing against the stiff denim of his jeans and making me cry even harder. “Are you going to be a good girl and follow the rules from now on?”

“Y-yes, Daddy,” I choke out. Right now, I’m willing to say whatever he wants to hear, even if I don’t mean it.

After all, it’s not like he'll be able to spank me for lying once I escape.

CHAPTER 14

VANESSA

The diaper rubs against my raw skin with every step I take, but I force myself to ignore the discomfort as I run and play with the other Littles.

Unfortunately for me, Dane and Axel insist on hovering within earshot pretty much the entire time, thwarting my attempts to have any kind of meaningful conversation about escape with my “cousins”.

“Nessie!” Lanie calls in her sweet voice. “Come swing with me!”

Just as she calls my name, she catapults herself forward and leaps from the seat, flying higher than seems safe before landing on both feet. But her right foot twists to the side as she hits the ground and her loud, pained cry rips through the air.

“Lanie!” Racing forward, Axel scoops his sobbing captive into his arms, cradling her close to his chest. “What happened? Where does it hurt?”

His tone is off somehow. Almost… panicked. As if he’s genuinely worried that she’s hurt herself.

Maybe he’s worried he’ll have to take her to the hospital. I can see where that might stress someone out if they were holding a woman hostage.

It really is too bad my own hospital escape attempt was thwarted. Sigh.

Lanie’s sobs grow louder, interrupting my musings. “M-my foot! I think it’s br-broken!”

“It’s all right, baby. Let’s go visit Uncle Ford and have him take a look.”

“Do you think she’s okay?” Worry fills Tabby’s eyes as she follows Axel and Lanie’s path to the front door.