Giddy Up, Daddy (Dirty Daddies 2024 Anthology #5)

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Ripley

Recess was exactly what it sounded like. We couldn’t use the outdoor playground because it was super rainy, but the Ranch had an indoor playground that looked like an adult-sized Chuck E. Cheese when they still had the play places and ball pits. Minus the big creepy rat and animatronic characters. There were Littles playing tag, some cheering each other on at the arcade games, and others playing in the tunnels, slides, and ball pit.

My heart rate picked up as excitement began to wash over my body.

“This is amazing.” I turned to my friends. “This is like… the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!”

“Right?” Reese bounced on her toes. “What do you wanna do first?”

“Slides,” I answered without even having to think about it. Sliding into the giant ball pit looked like so much fun.

“Last one up is a rotten egg!” Wren called before taking off in the direction of an area with shoe cubbies. She had her shoes off and was darting away before I even got there, and Reese was hot on her heels, but that was okay. Their excitement was infectious, and actually helped me feel more comfortable with my own feelings.

Recess was more fun than I could ever remember having in my entire adult life, and I never wanted it to end, but when a bell rang announcing it was time for class, Reese and Wren both insisted we leave. They were determined to help me have some experiences before I had to talk to Cade about everything.

If I would have known those experiences were going to land me outside Master Derek’s door with the two of them, the three of us covered in finger paint, I’m not sure I would have gone along with it. But time machines hadn’t been invented yet, so I was definitely shit out of luck.

“What’s going to happen?” I whispered, intensely embarrassed about how hard and fast I had fallen into Little space. I mean, what forty-something got into a paint fight with two other grown-ass women?

“Master Derek will give us a talking-to, and then call our Daddies.” Wren swung her feet like this was old news and she didn’t have a care in the world.

It was such a mindfuck how all the furniture was made. It really made you feel like you were a little kid about to visit the principal’s office. Reese at least looked a bit more remorseful.

“But I don’t—” I tried to get the words out, but was interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing.

“Ladies?” Master Derek stood larger than life in front of us, hands on his hips, face as stern as could be.

“It was my fault,” Wren announced quickly.

“Mmhmm. I’ve heard. Would the three of you join me inside, please?”

He swept his hand toward the door, but his request was very clearly not a request. We stood in unison and made our way inside. Master Derek took his place behind his imposing desk.

“You three can stand. I don’t want paint on my furniture,” he told us. “Now that we have some privacy, Wren, go ahead and explain.”

“Well see, we were painting and Reese kept bumping my arm when she reached for the paint, so I bumped hers hard and made her spill the red paint, and her hand got all full of paint and she smeared it on my picture to get it off, and then I tried to get hers back but hit Ripley’s instead and everything sorta went downhill from there.”

I watched Master Derek’s face the entire time Wren was explaining, and his expression didn’t change in the slightest. But his eyes shimmered and creased at the corners like he could see the ridiculousness of the entire scene playing out and was trying not to laugh. It should have been comforting that he wasn’t super angry, but it wasn’t, really. I mean, we hadn’t done any damage to anyone or anything, as the bulk of the mess had ended up on ourselves, but still.

“Either of you have anything else to add?” he asked.

“No, Sir.” Reese shook her head.

“Only that it was silly, and we shouldn’t have done it, and I’m sorry.” I felt my face heat with embarrassment.

He gave a single nod. “Wren and Reese, you two run along. I’ve already talked to your Daddies, and they’re both waiting for you out at the barns.”

“But what about Ripley? She doesn't have a Daddy.”

Master Derek raised a brow. “I’m well aware of the status of my guests, Reese. Ripley and I are going to chat privately. Go.”

“But—”

“Now, please.” His voice was firm, but he didn’t raise it in the slightest. He didn’t have to.

Reese whimpered as she gave me one last look before leaving, and Wren reached over and grabbed my hand. “I wouldn’t leave you here alone if I didn’t know Master Derek was the safest man on the planet. We’ll catch up later.” She gave my hand a squeeze before letting it go and leaving me alone with the most intimidating man I’d ever met. I wasn’t scared, but I was definitely nervous, as I had no idea what was about to happen.

“I see you’re finding your place here.” Master Derek smiled.

I nodded.

“Are you enjoying your visit thus far?”

“It’s been a little bit strange, if I’m being honest.”

“I always want you to be honest with me. Can you elaborate on that?” His brows furrowed in concern.

“The Ranch is great. It’s nothing against you or your staff, or anything like that,” I hurried to reassure him. “The strange part is inside me. I…” I looked around to make sure we were still alone. “I’ve only ever been Little with my late husband, and even with him it was very limited, and more like stolen moments.”

“Ah, I see. I do remember reading your paperwork and not seeing that you were an ageplayer.”

“I’m not… or I wasn’t? I don’t know. It's all very confusing. And now there’s stuff with Cade.”

“Oh? Is everything okay? I can get you your own room if there’s ever any issue.”

“Oh, no, no. Nothing like that. The opposite, really.” I had no idea what about this man just had me wanting to share my life story with him, but talking to him was like talking to that big brother or best friend who you just knew wanted what was best for you, and would give you all of the love and acceptance he could, no matter what you told him. It was very comforting. “I think Cade and I have been dancing around each other for a long time, but when we got here something made it impossible to ignore any longer.”

“That would be the Ranch Magic.” He grinned from ear to ear. “It’ll get ya every time. No one is safe from its effects.”

“You’re not lying.” I sighed and looked at the clock. It was almost noon, which would mean it was getting close to lunchtime and Cade would be waiting for me.

“Does he know you’re exploring this side of yourself? And if any of my questions become too invasive, feel free to tell me. I will not get my feelings hurt.”

“He doesn't know, no. And I’m not sure I’m ready to tell him. I don’t know how he’ll respond. We’ve never… He has topped me, and I have seen him play in clubs, but this has never been on the radar.”

“Well, he’ll certainly have questions about the paint,” Master Derek pointed out. “And these relationships must be rooted in trust and communication, so what will you tell him?”

“I don’t know.”

My stomach twisted. I had no idea how I was going to explain my state of disarray without coming clean or lying, so there really was only one choice. I wasn’t willing to lose Cade’s trust over anything. I’d have to tell him the truth.

“Usually when one of our Littles gets sent to me there’s a punishment attached, either at my hand, or the hand of one of my staff, or a personal caretaker.”

“I kinda figured,” I mumbled.

“With my residents we have plans in place, but visitors can be a little trickier. You will be given the choice of who you would like to dole out your punishment for this naughty mess the three of you made.”

“I’d like to choose Cade, please.” There was no way I wanted to be punished in any way by a complete stranger. Play was one thing, but punishment was a whole other situation.

“Very well. I think that’s a wise decision.” He pulled out a pink pad of paper. “This is a naughty slip. I fill it out, and you take it to the person you choose to answer to, then bring it back to me signed by them when your punishment is over.”

“What does the punishment need to be? Are there, like, requirements or something?” If this wasn’t the thing that would help me broach the subject with Cade, then nothing would be, but this was all so new, and I didn't know what the expectations were.

“No, darlin’. Every Little has different needs, and I leave it up to the Top to choose how best to handle the situation. All I need is the acknowledgement that it has been dealt with. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good girl. And even though it sounds like you’re doing a pretty good job of figuring things out on your own, I want you to know that we do have professional psychologists on staff who are more than willing to help through any situation you may find yourself in.”

“The girls told me, and I promise to keep that in mind if I need to talk.”

“Good. I’m glad you’ve found fast friends in Wren and Reese, even if they did lead you slightly astray.” He winked as he held out the slip to me. “Bring that back signed in the next few days, please.”

I nodded. “Yes, Sir.” I took the slip and hurried out. It had been such a weird day, and it was barely noon. How much more could the day possibly have in store for me?

Answer: So much more.