Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Autumn
I’m trying to distract myself from my wandering thoughts this afternoon by sitting at the kitchen table, filling in the intricate spaces on a very elaborate adult coloring page.
I love that Daddy bought me art supplies but didn’t dumb them all down to the point that I’m forced to use crayons on toddler designs every time I want to relax.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. He bought some of those, too. There will be times when the mindlessness of that sort of art will appeal to me. But right now, I’m grateful for the tiny spaces and fine-point markers.
Daddy comes up behind me, but he waits until I set one color down to pick up another before interrupting me by leaning over to whisper in my ear. “Shall I place an order for some graduated butt plugs, Baby girl?”
I grip my ass cheeks and shake my head. “No.”
He laughs and walks away. I’m certain he can read me and knows exactly which column to stick butt play in. I’m also not so delusional that I believe I’ll never be interested. He’s probably right. One day, I’ll undoubtedly be intrigued. But not today.
We’re in limbo. Waiting. At any moment, someone is going to call with more information about Frank Samson, and then what? I’m nervous, thinking about it. I can’t stand the idea of Mace leaving me to travel to Indiana so he can play vigilante.
I’m not as horrified by the idea as I was a few days ago. I get it. Black Blade Protection does good things, but often in a clandestine fashion. This is going to be one of those times.
I’m not fond of my father’s killer walking the Earth for another day, either, but I am stressed about the methods Mace and his team plan to use to dispose of him.
When his cell phone rings, I flinch.
Daddy answers the call by saying, “Give me a second.”
I turn to watch him stride toward me. He holds the phone behind him, cups my chin, and says, “Don’t touch your pussy while I’m in the other room.”
I gasp. He’s serious. Mostly. But then he winks, and I realize he’s also teasing me.
Watching him pad from the kitchen makes me stiffen.
I wish he didn’t leave me out of this conversation.
I’d rather he put the phone on speaker than talk behind my back.
But I also understand that half of what he says would horrify me, and I’m better off not knowing all the gory details.
Heck, maybe this call has nothing to do with Frank. Maybe it’s about another case Mace has been working on. I bet he has a dozen open files.
It’s hard to focus on my coloring. I can’t hear a single sound, which means he shut his office door. And I don’t dare move from this spot. I’ve already been spanked hard today. I don’t want him to punish me again.
My bottom is sore, and the edges of my panties aren’t helping. I even suggested he let me leave them off when he put my dress back on, but he ignored my suggestion and snapped the elastic into place, making me squeak.
Then he gave me a lecture. “It’s good for you to have a reminder.
It will help you behave. I’m already confident you’ll find some reason to get your sexy bottom spanked nearly every day, but once a day is more than enough.
If you still feel you need to be disciplined, I’ll find other ways that don’t involve swatting skin that’s already hot and pink. ”
When he said that to me, I pursed my lips and clenched my body, making him chuckle because the man is telepathic when it comes to reading me.
He patted my hand and said, “Apparently, I need to add more punishments to the list. Got it.”
I groan at the memory, wondering what the hell he has up his sleeve. Chances are, I’ll enjoy whatever he comes up with. As long as it doesn’t involve sticking something into my butt. Including his fingers. Gross.
In an attempt to distract myself, I think about the candy he keeps in his desk drawer, wondering if he’s popping chocolate into his mouth while he talks on the phone. I’ve seen him do so. It’s a fascinating habit.
Next, I try to picture other types of punishments he might come up with.
What else is fitting for age play besides spanking and timeouts?
He could swat my palms with a ruler like they used to do in elementary schools.
He could make me write sentences. Chores?
Wash my mouth out with soap? That last one makes me cringe.
I’m still pondering the options when he returns to the room. His brows are furrowed, and he pulls out the chair next to me and sits. “My men have found Frank.”
My breath hitches, and I start trembling. On the one hand, I’m relieved. On the other hand, I don’t like the implications. My eyes water.
Daddy reaches out and cups the back of my neck. “I need to go to Indiana, Baby girl. I promise I’ll be back in a few days.”
I shake my head. My chest literally hurts at the idea. “Please don’t.”
He pushes my chair back and lifts me onto his lap, so I’m sitting sideways. His arms come around me, holding tightly. “We’ve talked about this, Autumn.”
I shake my head. “No. You’ve talked about it. I’m not okay with it.” That’s the truth. I’m scared out of my mind. I might have a heart attack from worrying. “You’re all I have left in the world, Mace. I just got you. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me, sweetheart. I promise.”
“You can’t guarantee that. You could get killed or arrested.”
“Neither will happen,” he tries to reassure me.
I twist to grab his shirt. “Take me with you.”
“Not a chance, Baby girl.”
“Not to a shootout or anything. Just take me to Indiana with you. I’ll wait in the hotel while you play vigilante.”
Mace growls. “Autumn…”
I’m getting to him. When I realize this, I sit taller. “I promise to obey you every second and do exactly what you ask.”
He narrows his eyes and inhales deeply.
Oh yes. He’s going to cave. Apparently, I have mad negotiating skills. “How about if I even so much as hesitate to do as you say, I agree to let you put one of those stupid plugs in my ass?”
This makes him smirk. “Sweetheart, I don’t think you fully understand this dynamic.
I’ll never do anything that makes you cringe in a bad way.
Your punishments are meant to be more like funishments.
They’re designed to make you squirm. I won’t be putting anything into your tight bottom until the thought of me doing so makes your pussy cream. ”
I squirm on his lap. Darn him. “Fine. Then you’ll have to take my word that I’ll be good.”
He leans back, keeping his arms loose around me.
I feel like a kid who just got a solid maybe, which everyone knows eventually leads to yes.
“Please. I don’t want you to leave me here.
Besides, after you’re done hunting bad guys, it won’t be unsafe for me to go into my home and retrieve some things.
That way, you don’t have to hunt around looking for stuff without me. ”
Mace shakes his head in dismay, but he’s almost smiling. Finally, he lifts my hips and turns me so I’m straddling him. He tugs me forward until my cotton-covered pussy presses against his rock-hard cock. “Look what you do to me.”
I grin. “Same thing you do to me.”
His expression sobers. “I’m in love with you, Autumn.”
My smile grows. “That’s convenient.” My heart hammers inside me. He loves me. He just said so.
“Why’s that, Baby girl?” he encourages.
“Because I’m also in love with you, Mace.”
His lips part. He hesitates. “No arguing. No negotiating. When I tell you to do something, you do it.”
I nod. “Promise.”
He groans and runs a hand down his face. “Don’t make me regret this.”
I don’t think he’s talking to me. I think he’s communicating with a higher being. But I won’t let him down.