Page 70 of My Family

The corner of his mouth twitches.

I look down at my hands. "I let Reed put his arm around me because I knew you'd be coming back. I wanted you to see it."

His expression changes slightly. Not angry again, exactly. Serious.

"I know."

"I wanted to hurt you," I admit. The words taste worse when I say them out loud. "I was angry, and I knew it would make you jealous, so I did it anyway."

He watches me for a moment.

"I'm sorry, Daddy."

"I know you are."

My stomach flips. My face goes hot immediately, and I look at the floor.

"I think," I say, very carefully, "that I should probably be punished."

The silence that follows is electric.

Fuck, I'm hard already.

"Is that so," he says. Not a question.

"Yes, Daddy."

He doesn't move yet.

"Liam. Look at me."

I make myself do it.

"You're not getting punished because you were scared I'd leave you."

I swallow.

"Okay."

"You're allowed to be scared. You're allowed to be angry at me. You're even allowed to think I'm a fucking asshole if that's what you're feeling."

I almost smile.

"But deliberately trying to hurt me instead of telling me what was wrong?"

My face burns hotter.

"Yeah."

"That's what you're asking me to punish you for?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"And you're asking because you want this?"

I nod immediately. "Yes."

"Use your words."