A Very Naughty Christmas

Chapter Four

Sara didn’t know when she’d ever been so embarrassed. Though Alex had given her a few more minutes of cuddling, she hadn’t been able to look him in the eye. Not then, or when she’d asked permission to go home. He’d granted it, though he’d insisted on walking her the few yards that separated their houses. She’d told him that there was no need, but he hadn’t been swayed, and considering that she’d just been spanked, she didn’t see the wisdom in pushing the issue. If he noticed that she hadn’t looked at him once, not even when he’d said goodnight on her doorstep, he didn’t mention it.

Which was probably because he knew that she had every reason to be mortified. The spanking itself had been bad enough—the fact that she’d erred seriously enough to go bare-bottomed over his lap was humiliating. But then, in the heat of the moment—or, rather, enduring the heat of her blazing behind—she’d embarrassed herself past the point of no return by calling him Daddy . It was so awful that there were no words for it. No words.

Although as she shut the door behind him and sank to the floor, her back against the solid wood doorframe, she managed to find a few. Idiot , for starters. Pathetic , for another. What else could he think of her? He probably thought of her as nothing more than a silly child. She’d already suspected that to be the case, but she certainly hadn’t done anything tonight to raise her estimation in his eyes.

Sara groaned aloud, allowing all the awfulness trapped inside to come to the surface. She couldn’t believe it. She just couldn’t. What had she been thinking ? Of course, that was just it: she hadn’t been thinking at all. She had lost her head somewhere in the middle of all those hard, punishing spanks and had begged him to stop. She’d called him Daddy . Ugh, it was too petrifying to contemplate, but it was all she could think about.

Part of her wanted to explain, wanted to make sure that he knew that she wasn’t just missing her father, or something like that. No, her little slip was much, much worse, because the truth was, as much as she longed for him to see her as an adult, she was truly a little girl on the inside, longing for a strong daddy to take care of her, to make her feel safe and loved. And somehow, against all the odds, she’d found that very thing over Alex Maxwell’s lap even as he’d blistered her poor behind. Or maybe it was because he cared enough about her to discipline her for her carelessness that had done it. Either way, she knew that there was no way she could ever see him again. Not after she’d made such a fool of herself. He probably thought… oh, God, she didn’t want to think about how he saw her now! It was just too awful to contemplate!

Sara pulled her legs to her chest and made a box with her arms to bury her face in. When she began to cry, it had nothing at all to do with the throbbing in her bottom. Worse still was the realization that what she wanted most, right in that moment, was the comfort of the man she could never, ever allow herself to face again.

* * *

Sara had managed to stay locked up in her house for forty-eight hours, doing little more than sighing dramatically and burrowing herself under piles of blankets as she watched Hallmark Christmas movies. She didn’t watch any of the ones that she’d enjoyed with her mother—her father, like most men, had never been much of a Hallmark fan. She knew she would return to their old favorites in the coming years, when she could handle it, but this year, the pain was just too fresh.

And when she wasn’t thinking about how much she missed her parents, she was remembering what a colossal idiot she’d made of herself with Alex. She should have just taken the damn ticket and been done with it. Sure, she might have ended up borrowing ramen for lunch and dinner for the next two months from her dorm-mate, but at least she would have been left with some of her dignity intact. She would never be able to so much as look at his house now without remembering the shame of what had taken place, of the word that had slipped out of her lips when she was out of her mind with desperation to make the spanking stop.

Oh, well. It looked like it was a pretty good thing she was selling the house. She wouldn’t have any reason to see him once that last piece of business was taken care of. So why did that thought make her feel worse, not better? It didn’t make any sense.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock on the door that echoed throughout the empty hallway.

At least she hadn’t been completely useless. Since she was spending all her time indoors these days, she’d thought it would be a good idea for her to begin packing up her parents’ things. She’d made three piles: keep, give to Goodwill, and trash. Her ‘keep’ pile was growing much bigger than she’d anticipated, but it seemed like everything she touched brought back a flood of memories she just couldn’t bear to part with. She’d just keep going, and if she had to ship boxes back to her college dorm, well… then that was just what she’d do.

“I’m coming,” she grumbled as the knock sounded again. She couldn’t help but remember when she’d come home from school last Christmas. It had seemed that every hour or so there was a knock on the door with another package from FedEx.

“I thought we said no presents this year!” her mother had exclaimed to her father, mock scolding as she wagged her finger at him.

“Ah, well,” he’d shrugged in return, clearly unrepentant.

Sara, still in her PJs but mindful of the chill outside, wrapped her cozy gray throw around her shoulders like a cape and didn’t bother to so much as comb her hair—she was sure she looked dreadful, considering she also hadn’t bothered to shower in the last two days—before trudging to the door and throwing it open. A mild sense of déjà vu washed over her as she saw Alex standing on the doorstep with his killer smile and, this time, instead of a box of doughnuts, he held a brown takeout bag.

“Good afternoon,” he called out cheerfully, seeming unperturbed by her answering scowl. “I thought I’d stop by with some food since you haven’t set foot outside in a few days. Figured you might be hungry.”

“How do you know I haven’t?” she demanded. “What did you do, set a booby trap or something to alert you?”

“Oh, come on, Sara. I’m a cop. I have much more sophisticated techniques than that. Now, are you going to let me in?”

She rolled her eyes and did not laugh at his attempt at a joke, instead choosing to eye the bag he held. It looked pretty full, judging by the bulge at the bottom. And now that he mentioned it, she was hungry. She’d been living off Froot Loops and she’d just run out this morning. “That depends. What’s in the bag?”

“Oh, I see, playing hard to get,” he teased. “But I won’t tell you, not even so much as a hint. If you want to find out, you’re going to have to let me in.”

Sara thought it over for a moment and then stepped aside. The one item left in the hallway was a gold gilded mirror. She caught sight of her reflection and grimaced. Not only was her hair a disheveled mess, but there were bags under her eyes and she looked pale, thanks to not wearing any makeup. Oh, well. What did she care? She didn’t have to preen and primp around Alex anymore—she’d killed any chance of having something with him the other night. Oh, who was she kidding? There had never been any chance to begin with, but at least now she knew it.

“Thank you. I’ll unpack this on the table, and then maybe you can tell me why you’ve been spending your Christmas break cooped up inside the house.”

She closed the door behind him, following at a respectful distance. “I have not been…” She’d been about to say avoiding you , but the lie stuck in her throat. She knew that he wouldn’t appreciate it, and what the hell? So he knew she’d been avoiding him. What difference would that make to him, anyway? He just saw her as some kid—correction, some kid he was taking an interest in for charity’s sake over the holidays.

“You haven’t been what?” Alex asked, turning to face her when she entered the kitchen. He’d already set the bag down and laid out burgers and fries in front of two adjacent chairs, the mouth-watering aroma of which made her stomach begin to growl then and there.

“Never mind,” she mumbled, eyeing the foil-wrapped burgers.

“You have been avoiding me,” he continued as though she hadn’t spoken. “Is it because I spanked you? Because you asked for that spanking, and even told me that you deserved it. I consider the matter forgiven and forgotten, so long as it doesn’t happen again.”

“No, it’s not the spanking.” She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Can we eat now?”

“Not until you tell me what the problem is. And, by the way, I’m not enjoying this attitude you have right now.”

She looked up at him in surprise, quickly noting that his brows were drawing together. Her belly knotted and yet, did a small flip at the same time. Uh-oh. She was making Daddy mad. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Thank God he couldn’t read her mind!

“I… I’m sorry,” Sara apologized, making an effort to speak without grunting or sighing at him.

Alex gave her a sharp, assessing look before he finally nodded. “All right. Now, are you going to tell me why you’ve stayed holed up in your house this whole time? The truth ,” he added, almost as if he knew she’d been about to fib about needing to pack. Which, of course she did need to do, but it didn’t have anything to do with why she’d gone AWOL.

“I’m really hungry,” she hedged.

He gave her one more searching look before he nodded. Then he walked to the table and took one of the chairs. Sara followed his lead, but when she tried to sit down at the other, he took her by the hand and pulled her to his side.

“W-what are you doing?” she stammered.

“You’re hungry, and I want answers,” he explained. “So we’re going to compromise. You sit on my lap, and I’ll feed you.”

“Feed me?” she echoed incredulously, blushing deeper at the tremor she heard in her voice.

“That’s right. Fries for information. An equal trade, wouldn’t you say?”

“Mr. Maxwell… I can’t… I can’t just sit on your lap,” she squeaked.

“Funny—sometimes, I’m Alex, then back to Mr. Maxwell.” His eyes twinkled at her and she began to fidget, suspecting what he was about to say even before the words came out of his mouth. “And ‘Daddy’ at others.”

That did it. Her face burst into what felt like bona fide flame. Oh, man, if there was a time she’d ever been this embarrassed, she sure didn’t remember it. She tried to turn away to hide her face, but his hand snaked out and took her by the wrist. With a gentle tug he had her facing him once more—albeit, eyes glued firmly to the floor—and sitting on his knee.

“Ketchup?”

Mutely, she shook her head. Almost right away a long, golden fry was being directed at her lips. She reached out to take it, but the French fry was then pulled out of reach. Oh, he was being so frustrating!

“I thought we had a deal. Fry for information, remember?”

Sara’s brow furrowed. She wanted to tell him in no uncertain terms that, in fact, she’d never actually agreed to such a deal, but something made her hold her tongue. Because the truth was… as infuriating as he was being just now, it was also kind of… well, a little bit sexy. Not that she’d be telling him that!

“Come on… I know you want it,” he said in a low, cajoling voice.

“Maybe I’m not that hungry after all.” She tried to push herself off his lap, but an arm wrapped around her, holding her in place. In truth, she could have forced her way off, if she’d really wanted to, but being held like this made her feel safe and secure and if she was being honest—at least with herself—she had to admit that she wanted nothing more than to curl up on his lap and be fed. But grown women didn’t feel that way… did they? And what would Alex think of her when she admitted that she did? Sure, she could admit to herself that she liked the idea of having a daddy to take care of her. She could even admit that she wanted it to be Alex… as long as she didn’t have to say it to his face.

“Okay, tell you what. New deal. If you open up, you can have this fry and I’ll do the talking.”

Sara thought it over for a moment then slowly opened her mouth. Instantly the fry returned and she began to nibble on one end as he held the other.

“Here’s what I think—and all you have to do to tell me if I’ve got it right is to nod, or shake your head if I’ve got it wrong, okay?”

Chewing thoughtfully, Sara nodded her agreement.

“Great. So, I’ve been doing some thinking, and what I think happened is that maybe you got a little carried away during your spanking—it was your first, after all—and maybe you said something you didn’t mean, and it embarrassed you.”

Sara wanted so badly to nod yes, but her inner good girl wouldn’t let her do it. Instead, she continued to munch on her French fry.

“Or… or maybe you did mean it, but you didn’t mean for me to know?”

Her eyes still glued to the floor, Sara gave a small, tentative nod.

“Maybe you like the idea of being someone’s little girl—maybe even mine?”

She couldn’t answer. She was frozen with humiliation and indecision. She didn’t dare look at his face, so even though his voice didn’t sound as though he thought she was strange, which she surely was, she couldn’t be sure. If she just didn’t answer, he’d never know. But if she put herself out there and admitted her secret wish—that until a few days ago she hadn’t even understood herself—there was a good chance he’d be repulsed. Or, at the very least, amused at her expense. And if she saw him so much as smirk at her, she wouldn’t be able to take it. She’d have to flee and let the realtor do what she wanted to with her parents’ beloved possessions.

“Sara? Am I close?”

“I want another fry,” she nearly whispered. She’d expected him to demand an answer first, but instead another one was held out for her and she began to eat it, not even tasting the delicious grease and salt because her mind was so preoccupied at the moment.

“I’m sorry. It was rude of me to come here and put you on the spot like this. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

He sounded truly contrite and Sara allowed herself to relax the slightest bit.

“It’s just… it’s been a long time since I’ve dated a woman and I guess I’ve forgotten the rules. Hell, maybe I never really knew the rules,” he chuckled.

What? What was he talking about? He couldn’t seriously mean…

“And, I don’t know. I’ve spanked women before, but with you, it was different.”

Women. Did this mean that he counted her among them? Could she have been wrong all this time, thinking that he thought of her as a kid when really, he saw her as an adult? Which she knew shouldn’t matter to her in the slightest, given that she also wanted him to be her daddy, but for some reason, it mattered.

“And then when you said… well, when you called me ‘Daddy’ I thought maybe you were a little.”

Her mouth dropped open and it had nothing to do with the French fry that waited in front of her. He knew about littles? No way!

“But I guess I was just hoping too hard. It gets that way sometimes, especially when you’re my age. You want something so badly you start seeing it where it isn’t there. So, I’m sorry about that. Really. And you don’t have to avoid me, Sara. I don’t think of you any differently, I promise.”

“How do you know about littles?” she demanded, looking up at him at last, just to be sure that he wasn’t playing a cruel joke on her. Of course, she didn’t know how he could have known that this would be the joke to play. It’s not like she had Anxiously Awaiting a Daddy tattooed on her arm, or anything.

“Ah, well… the same way you obviously do, I guess. I might be older than you, but I have heard of the internet, you know. I even know how to use it.”

He was giving her a smile that looked almost as hopeful as it was playful. “Why would you look up stuff about littles?” she asked, trying to fight down the hope she felt rising in her as well.

“I don’t just look at stuff about littles, but about being a daddy, the whole aspect of DDLG.”

Daddy-Dom-Little-Girl , she deciphered instantly in her head. She knew what the acronym meant all right. She’d been researching the DDLG lifestyle since her second year in college, when she’d begun to be able to piece together what the ache in her heart had been telling her. She’d realized from the time she’d begun to date, back in high school, that none of the relationships she’d been in had ever felt ‘right’ to her. She always longed for a little something more. A guy who did more than kiss her and try to feel her up—an action she always rebuffed, which was why by her senior year she was single, and stayed that way, not that she much minded. She wanted a man who opened doors, who was a gentleman, but who was also more than that. She wanted someone who made her feel safe, protected, loved and cared for, in ways that most women found themselves too grown for. She wanted a man who held her hand when she crossed the street, who not only didn’t want her to wear revealing clothing, but who discouraged it. She wanted someone who encouraged her playful, kid-ish side, and helped her to stay grounded when she found herself falling apart from emotions too grownup and real.

She didn’t know the exact name for what her heart craved, but DDLG had come the closest to answering it. She’d joined one or two support groups for other ‘littles’ like her, but had never met anyone else in real life who she’d been able to identify with in those terms. She’d kept her fervent desire to find a daddy secret, buried it deep in her heart and truly never expected to find anyone who fit the bill. She was only twenty-two, but she often suspected that she’d either settle for some guy who could never really satisfy her desires, or else be a crazy cat lady. And now that there was no one around to plead for grandchildren, it would probably be the latter.

“Why?” It was the only thing she could think to ask, though her mind was filling with questions that she very much hoped he’d answer.

“Why do you know what a little is?” he countered.

Sara’s cheeks flushed anew, but this time she forced herself to keep her eyes on his face. “Because… because I think I’d like to be one. Or, at least I’d like to try.”

“You’ve never had a daddy before? I mean…”

“I know what you mean. And no, I haven’t. Have you… have you ever…” She found herself suddenly feeling shy and simultaneously jealous of any other woman fortunate enough to have been Alex’s little, even in the past.

“No, I’ve never found the right woman.”

“Oh,” she said, letting the word hang between them, knowing it was inadequate.

“Except…” Alex reached out and gently cupped her chin, his smile stretching as he searched her face. “Except now, maybe I have. Are you ready to eat?”

Sara shook her head without hesitation. Like she could eat after he’d said the words she’d been waiting for what felt like forever to hear! No, her hunger had evaporated and she didn’t think she could eat a bite, even if she tried.

“Now, none of that,” he told her, his voice gently scolding as he dropped her chin and reached for one of the foil-wrapped burgers. “I heard your stomach growling. There will be plenty of time to talk later, but for right now, you’re going to eat.”

When he unwrapped it and held it up, Sara obediently opened her mouth.

* * *

Daddy’s Rules for Sara

Good little girls don’t talk back. Good girls don’t curse or ever talk badly about themselves. Lying is not acceptable. Always show immediate obedience when an order is given. Daddy is to always be shown respect. Use your manners—always say please and thank you. Hold Daddy’s hand to cross the street. Tell Daddy if you feel sad or scared for any reason, at any time. Allow Daddy to make it better. Accept punishment when Daddy says it is earned—no arguing. Always ask permission to come.

Sara had taped the list that Alex had given her on her mirror and it gave her butterflies every time she looked at it. She found herself checking her reflection a lot more since he’d presented her with it last night. And today they were going on their first ever daddy-daughter date! She was so excited that she was beaming as she read and reread the list over and over again. She’d memorized it yesterday, but she just liked looking at it, knowing that there was someone out there who cared enough to make her dreams come true. And she did want to be his good girl. Not just to avoid punishment, though the spanking she’d received at his hands had been nothing short of cheek-stinging agony. But more important, she didn’t want to disappoint him.

He knocked on the door right at ten, as promised. She’d already been dressed and waiting for the last fifteen minutes, hopping around the living room in eager anticipation. When she heard the sound of his knuckles rapping against the wood of the door, a piece of advice her dorm-mate had given her rang through her mind. Keep ‘em waiting , she’d said. It makes the first time you see each other that much more exciting.

She’d followed that advice on several first dates, but she discarded it now and ran to the door, refusing to downplay her eagerness. She threw open the door with a big, wide smile, which only grew when Alex offered her a bouquet of bright wildflowers.

“How pretty,” she said as she accepted them, immediately burying her nose into the bouquet and inhaling deeply.

“I thought so too, until I saw you.”

Sara blushed even as her own smile grew bigger. “Thanks.” She had taken great care with her outfit. She’d wanted something that made her feel pretty, but also something fun. In the end she’d chosen a dress with a black leotard top and a large fluffy skirt in blue and purple. She’d added a pair of black leggings dotted with colorful spots and put her hair in bouncy ringlets. She’d not bothered with much makeup—only a little mascara to bring out the blue in her eyes and a little colored gloss on her lips. Yet, viewing the appreciation in Alex’s eyes, she’d never felt prettier.

“Why don’t you put those in water and then we’ll get going?”

She quickly nodded her agreement and bounded to the kitchen, but not before giving him one last coy look over her shoulder. For some reason, she felt too shy to tell him how handsome she found him. He was out of uniform today, but every bit as attractive in a pair of blue jeans and a light blue flannel shirt. And the flowers were such a sweet gesture! She was smiling so wide she was sure her face would be sore later, but she didn’t care. It had been a long time since her heart had felt this happy.

“Ready to go?” Alex asked when she returned. When she gave him an excited nod, he took her by the hand and led her to his car. Thankfully, it looked like he’d taken the police lights off the top of his Dodge Charger.

She started to let go of his hand as they approached the car, but Alex held tightly to hers. He walked her around to the passenger side and opened the door for her. She thanked him and climbed inside, but instead of closing the door behind her, Alex leaned over, pulling the seatbelt strap out and fastening it securely around her. She’d never thought such an act could be sweet and sexy all at once, but her toes were curling by the time he closed the door and walked over to the driver’s side.

“Did your parents take you to the holiday fair?” he asked as he turned the key in the ignition.

“We went every year since the town started doing it. I think I was about seven that first year,” she mused.

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” he chuckled. “They seemed like the poster parents for a happy childhood.” Before she could reply, or even feel a twinge of sadness, he continued, “That’s good. It’s been a long time since I’ve been. I’ll let you show me around.”

“Ooh, does that mean that I get to be in charge of what we do?” she asked with a sly smile.

“Ha! Don’t push it,” he teased.

Sara had been nervous that with the change of dynamic in their relationship, things would feel weird between them, at least at first. But as their banter flowed easily, she found herself relaxing.

“You look adorable,” he commented as he pulled into the fairgrounds. “You should wear your hair like that more often.”

“Thanks,” Sara mumbled, blushing and looking down at her feet.

“Ahem.” Alex cleared his throat, prompting her to look at him. “The correct response is ‘thank you, Daddy.’ Now let me hear you say it.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” she parroted obediently.

“Say it like you mean it.”

She blinked in surprise, wondering if he was teasing her.

“You know what, this is my fault. I gave you a list of rules and we haven’t been together since. I think we need to set the proper tone here.”

Sara wondered what he could possibly mean by that, but it wasn’t until he’d parked the car that she found out.

“Unbuckle your seatbelt and lie over my lap, young lady.”

She yelped in surprise and protest, giving him a startled look. “B-but…”

“No arguing, little girl. Do it now, please.”

Butterflies begin to churn in her tummy. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Well, you hadn’t, until now—always obey immediately. Remember?”

Sara winced. Now that he said it aloud she certainly did! She’d promised herself she was going to be such a good girl, the best little that a daddy could ask for, and here she was messing it up on her first opportunity.

“I’m sorry, Daddy.” She hung her head to keep him from seeing the tears of disappointment she felt in herself welling in her eyes. Without another word, she did as he said, unbuckled her seatbelt, and placed herself over his waiting knees.

“Now, I hadn’t been planning on actually punishing you,” he told her as he rubbed her back. “At least, not until you disobeyed me. I was just saying that as this is our first outing as daddy and little girl we need to set the tone.”

Sara’s lip quivered as sternness crept into his voice.

“Now, of course, that changes a bit. I’m going to give you a quick spanking with your panties down—” He paused, as if expecting further protest, but she’d learned her lesson. “And then you’ll have lines to write. Understood?”

“Yes, Daddy,” she was quick to respond.

“Good girl.” Slowly, Daddy began to move her clothing so that her panties were exposed. Rather than taking them down right away, he began to rub her pantied behind instead. Sara thought of asking why he did that, but not wanting to risk coming across as difficult again, she bore it in silence. Besides which, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, actually.

But all too soon his thumbs hooked inside her panties and slowly, very slowly, the fabric came down, baring her bottom completely. Daddy did not get to spanking right away, but instead waited, allowing her to feel the full weight of the shame of what was about to happen. What made it worse was that she now knew from experience exactly how bad it could be!

When the spanking began, it was with a flurry of smacks to the meatiest part of her bottom. Sara found her legs kicking up in protest, but Daddy sharply ordered her to lie still and she was chastised with a stinging smack to each thigh in turn.

“I’m sor-ry!” she wailed when it resumed.

“Then prove it by lying still like a good girl,” he replied with a smack to each cheek.

Sara obeyed, taking the spanking in silence expect for the moments when she couldn’t hold back a yelp. All in all, it was over quickly. As soon as her cheeks began to feel sore and tingly all over, he pulled her panties back up, righted her pants, and then helped her to sit.

“Now, what do you say?” he prompted, tilting her chin so that she had no choice but to look into his solemn blue eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she sniffled.

“For?”

“I’m sorry for not obeying,” she said in a slightly pouty little-girl voice. “It won’t happen again, Daddy.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will,” he chuckled, chucking her chin lightly. “But don’t you worry, I’ll be here to help you each and every time it does.”

“Help?” she scoffed. “Is that what you call it?”

“Well, you didn’t want to sit today anyway, did you?” he teased.

“Hmph!” She made a face.

“Don’t forget, you will still have lines to write when we get home, but if you’re ready to be a good girl now, we’ll get going.”

Sara considered pouting some more, because her bottom really did sting, but in the end she decided she wanted to enjoy the fair so she nodded her agreement. By the time that Alex had walked around and opened her door and offered a hand to help her out she’d decided that she wasn’t quite so mad at him, after all.

As soon as she stepped outside she inhaled deeply and a wide smile spread across her face. Yep, they were at the fair all right! She could smell funnel cake and bratwurst even from the parking lot.

“You know, I think that’s the first real smile I’ve seen on you since you came back to town.”

“Oh, stop,” she giggled. “It is not!”

“It’s the first one that makes you look like you—like an excited girl with the world at her feet.”

“I’m not actually a little girl, Alex,” she reminded him softly, batting her eyelashes.

“I know, but regardless of what age is on your driver’s license, you’ve always had a free spirit. That’s one of the things I love about you.” Before she could venture to ask him what else he loved about her, she found herself being pulled into his embrace, his large hand cupping each of her ass cheeks in turn and giving them a little squeeze. “And that’s Daddy to you, little girl.”

Something about the way he said it made an excited shiver—she felt so utterly possessed and dearly loved in this moment—skitter down her spine. “Yes, Daddy.”

“There’s my good girl. Now, what would you like to ride first?”

“The carousel!” she answered without hesitation, making Daddy Alex chuckle. “Come on, let’s go!” And when she took him by the hand and tugged insistently, he followed her lead just as he’d promised that he would.

* * *

Sara was enjoying their first outing very much. The same smile that Daddy Alex had admired in the parking lot hadn’t left her face since they’d walked through the gates. Daddy had bought wristbands for both of them and they’d spent the last three hours riding anything and everything that caught her eye—sometimes twice! Daddy had even played the water-gun race game and won her a huge brown teddy bear with the cutest brown eyes. She’d squealed when he’d picked it out, and ignored his grumblings that he probably would have spent less if he’d gotten it from Walmart. She’d responded by throwing herself at him and wrapping her arms around his neck in gratitude, which had immediately silenced the grousing.

He’d finally, reluctantly, agreed to let her try her hand at the rock climbing, though he hadn’t been too keen on it. She’d been allowed to do everything else she wanted, so it had come as a surprise when, after pulling him over to the rock wall—which was made to look like a mountain—set up that he would say no.

“I’m sorry, Sara, but I don’t like it,” he said, eyeing the water ride that had been set up right next to it. Every time the boats came flying down the coaster, the ‘mountain’ got a nice splash.

“But you said I could,” she reminded him.

“Yes, but that was before we came over here. Look at it; see how the water keeps splashing onto the space you’ll be climbing? It’s going to be wet on there and hard to keep your traction.”

Sara’s brow furrowed. Didn’t he have any faith in her at all? “I can do it.”

“I’m sure that you’re very good at the rock wall at the gym, but this is a bit different. And—”

Was he making fun of her now? “I rock climb all the time!” she interrupted. Almost as soon as the words came out—sounding much too indignant and bratty, she realized—her stomach sank. She’d just interrupted him and argued. Suddenly mindful of the worker that was listening to them, waiting for a decision to be made, her cheeks flushed.

“Your safety is my first priority,” he continued as though she’d never cut him off. “So, I’m sorry, while I know you’d love to show off your skills, the answer is no.”

There was no arguing with the firm, determined tone and her blush flamed hotter. She’d hoped that he’d just let them walk away then and there, but it was clear from the way his eyes were fastened on her—though her own gaze was set firmly on the asphalt, she could feel it—that he was waiting for an answer. “Yes, Sir,” she mumbled, her head down.

“Thank you for your time,” Daddy said to the fair worker before taking her by the elbow and steering her away. “I think it’s time for us to be getting back.”

“What?” Sara’s head shot up as she registered his words. “But we haven’t done everything.”

“I guess you should have thought about that before you chose to argue with me—and after I gave you a lesson in the car earlier, too. I’m very disappointed in you, little girl.”

Sara’s emotions wavered between sadness that she’d let him down and indignation at the unfairness of it all. “You promised to buy me cotton candy,” she reminded him in a much quieter tone.

“I’m sorry, honey. Cotton candy is for good girls, and I’m afraid you haven’t earned your treat. Now let’s go.”

She knew better to argue this point, and with a long, disappointed sigh, she allowed him to guide her out of the fairgrounds and back to the parking lot. Only as they neared the car did her disappointment about not getting her cotton candy begin to fade, replaced with another, more pressing realization: she was in trouble. Big trouble.

She glanced at Daddy Alex—he hadn’t said as much, but she suddenly knew it to be true. Damn it! How had she managed to screw up not once, but twice in one day? Her stomach sank and she felt like a very sorry little girl as he opened her door. She slid into the car and let him fasten her seatbelt without a word.

“I… I’m sorry,” she ventured as he got in.

Daddy didn’t look at her as he started the car and began to back out. “We’ll talk about it later.” Then he turned on the radio—a classic rock station that she normally would have enjoyed if she hadn’t known that she was facing the prospect of a hard spanking. It was clear that, for the time being, the conversation was closed.

She tried to enjoy what she knew would be a very temporary reprieve, but she couldn’t get her mind off of what was to come. She knew that she never should have argued with him— and it was a second offense, too! She hadn’t meant to; she just wasn’t used to having a daddy yet, that was all.

Maybe she could explain that to him, and he’d understand. She glanced at his stern, stoic profile. Yeah, sure. He’d understand all right. Sara’s tummy did another little flip and she worked hard to keep her lower lip from trembling. It was going to be a tough sale all right and she’d probably end up with a tanned tail for her trouble, but she’d give it a shot.

“Um, Daddy…”

“I said we’d talk later, little girl,” he replied, his stern voice brooking no further argument.

Yep. Later. That’s what they’d do— talk .