Chapter 20 Harrison #2
"No," she choked out, her head shaking. "No, Daddy. I’m okay. Please... I’m sorry."
"I know you are," he said. He moved then, stepping around the side of the desk. Kelsey watched through blurred vision as he reached for the top right drawer. The slide of the wood sounded like a gavel in the silence. He reached in and pulled out Barrett’s paddle—the heavy, polished piece of wood that looked devastating in the dim light.
Kelsey’s eyes went wide, and she let out a strangled cry. "No... Daddy, please! Not that. I’ll be good, I promise! I’ll never run again, I swear!"
"I know you won't," Harrison said, his voice firm but devoid of malice.
He walked back behind her, the paddle held loosely at his side.
"But we have to finish the lesson, Kelsey.
We have ten swats to go, and then we are done with this morning forever.
I want you to count them for me. Loud and clear. "
He didn't wait for her to get her breath back. He settled himself, and the first stroke of the wood fell.
WHACK.
The sound was entirely different—sharper, more resonant. Kelsey screamed, her back arching as the deep, thudding sting of the paddle blossomed across her already raw skin.
"One," she sobbed out, her voice breaking.
WHACK.
"Two... please, Daddy!"
WHACK.
"Three..."
He didn't rush. He let the sting settle after each one, making her feel the full gravity of the correction. By the fifth swat, Kelsey’s legs were trembling so hard she almost buckled, but Harrison’s free hand was on her hip, steadying her.
By the eighth, her bottom was a deep, bruised purple-red, the skin swollen and radiating a frantic heat.
"Nine," she wailed as the second to last strike landed.
WHACK.
"Ten... oh God, ten."
Harrison immediately set the paddle on the desk.
He didn't say a word, just reached down and gathered her up in his arms. She was limp, her skin slick with sweat and tears, her body racking with the aftershocks of the punishment.
He carried her over to the oversized leather armchair in the corner of the room, sitting down and tucking her into his lap.
He pulled her face into the crook of his neck, his large hand splaying across the back of her head, the other arm wrapped securely around her waist to hold her close.
"There we go," he whispered, his voice finally breaking into that tender, nurturing tone she craved. "It's over, sweetheart. It’s all over. You’re my good girl again. You took that so well for me. I’m so proud of you."
He rocked her gently, ignoring the way her tears soaked into his shirt.
He let her cry until the wails turned into soft, hitching sobs, and eventually into quiet, exhausted sniffles.
He stayed there for a long time, just breathing with her, letting the silence of the office wrap around them until the jagged edges of the morning were smoothed over.
He kissed her temple, her forehead, and finally the tip of her nose.
"Ready to get dressed?" He asked softly.
She nodded against his neck, her face hidden. He helped her up, but he didn't make her do it alone this time. He moved with a quiet, efficient care, helping her back into her clothes. When she was finally dressed, she looked up at him, her eyes still puffy but the fear and the anger entirely gone.
Harrison pulled her into one last, long embrace, burying his face in the curve of her neck.
"Don't ever run from me again, Kelsey," he murmured, his voice a low, grounding rumble against her skin. "There is nothing we can't handle together if you just stay."
"I'm not going anywhere, Daddy," she whispered, leaning her weight fully into his chest and letting the steady beat of his heart anchor her.
He took her hand, his fingers interlacing with hers, and led her out of the office. As they descended the stairs to the living room, the atmosphere changed. Savannah and Barrett were on the couch. Savannah jumped up the second she saw them, her face blotchy and her eyes red from her own tears.
Savannah threw her arms around Kelsey, a tight hug. "Are you okay? I was so worried, Kels."
Kelsey squeezed her back, a small, tired smile touching her lips. "I’m okay, Savvi. Really. I'm okay."
The goodbyes were quiet. Harrison shook Barrett’s hand, a silent look of understanding passing between the two men. "Thanks for the call, Barrett. And for the use of the room. I’ll be back for her car later."
"Anytime, man," Barrett said, his hand moving back to Savannah’s waist.
Harrison led Kelsey out to the SUV, his hand never leaving the small of her back. He helped her into the passenger seat, carefully buckling the seatbelt for her. As he pulled out of the parking lot and began the drive back to the house, he reached across the console.
He rested his hand high on her thigh, his thumb making slow, possessive circles.
He didn't say a word, and neither did she. The tension had finally broken, leaving only the quiet hum of the SUV and the solid weight of Harrison’s hand on her leg.
The secrets were out, the restaurant was safe, and most importantly, Kelsey was right where she belonged—safe in his care.