AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“But I only had one drink, Daddy, I swear,” she whined.
The flash of temper burst out of him as a growl. “You really want to lie to me? I’m this close to putting you over my knee right now, young lady.”
“I’m not lying! Shannon will tell you!”
“What?” Shannon’s slurred voice asked from behind them.
James closed his eyes. “Nothing, Shannon.” Opening his eyes again, he jabbed a finger at his wife. “Stay.”
The little brat had the nerve to lift her hands like a puppy and pant. His palm positively itched to connect with her bottom. “You’re going to pay for that,” he promised her. “Tomorrow.”
He turned away to deal with his other problem for the night. Shannon was still leaning against the table, teetering ever so slightly. With a sigh, he walked over and grabbed her arm, holding her tightly as he helped her pick her way around the glass to where Olivia was still obediently perched on the steps. Between the three of them, they stumbled their way up the stairs, stopping at the guest room to deposit Shannon into bed. She fell face down and was snoring before he and Olivia made it back to the doorway.
Too exhausted to deal with helping an unconscious woman into a pair of pajamas, James ushered his wife to their bedroom.
“Daddy, I’m sleepy,” she whined, leaning into him.
“I know, little one.” Despite his anger at her obvious disobedience, her pitiful tone tugged at his heart. “Let’s get you into bed.”
Sitting on the bed, he pulled her to stand between his knees. It took some time, but he managed to get her jeans over her hips and down her legs. She bent to finish pulling them off her feet, and her bottom presented such a perfect target he couldn’t help but plant a firm smack on the round globes.
“Ow!” She shot up and rubbed at the handprint he’d left behind, her glazed eyes full of indignation. “What was that for?”
“Because I’m the Daddy and I can.” With a shake of his head, he helped her pull her shirt off. “You are in so much trouble, Olivia Jane. That little love pat is just the beginning.”
“But Daddy, I really did just have one drink.”
It was unlike her to lie to his face, which just made the whole situation that much more infuriating. Swallowing his anger, he gently turned her toward their bathroom. “We can talk about it tomorrow. Go use the bathroom and then get your butt into bed.”
When she stumbled to the bathroom and back out again a few minutes later, James helped her into bed and tucked the covers around her.
“I’m really not lying, Daddy.” Her voice was soft and sleepy. “It was just one drink.”
“Tomorrow, little one. Get some sleep and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“‘Kay. Love you, Daddy.”
“I love you too, Livvy. Goodnight.” Leaving her safe and sound in their bed, James made his way down the stairs to clean up the shards of glass and to plan his naughty little girl’s very big punishment.
“Rise and shine, little one.”
Olivia groaned and yanked the covers over her pounding head. A second later, they were pulled from her body, leaving her exposed to the blinding light.
Squinting against the glare, she groped for the blanket to hide under again. “Leave me alone.”
“Not a chance. You have a busy day. Time to get up.” James issued the order with a singsong quality that made her want to punch him.
Since hitting him wasn’t a risk her butt was willing to take, she settled for burrowing her head into her pillow. “I’m sick. I’ll reschedule my showings.”
“Like hell you will.” All traces of playfulness had left his voice. “Up. Now, Olivia Jane.”
She switched tactics and rolled over to give him her prettiest, most pitiful pout. “But Daddy, I don’t feel good. My tummy is sick.”
Strong hands wrapped around her upper arms, pulling her up to a sitting position on the bed. “And why is your tummy sick?”
Admitting she’d had way too much to drink was out of the question, so she just shrugged. “Dunno. Food poisoning?”
“Try again.”
