“Nooo, Papa, please. I don’t want a spanking.”
“That’s the point.” He kissed her gently. “I’m sorry I have to do this, but I think it’s best to get this over with. Then the slate is clear. All is forgiven. All right?”
She sniffled.
“Do you think I’m being unfair? That you don’t deserve a spanking?”
Damn him. “No. I deserve a spankin’.” That was hard to admit to.
“Baby, you look so scared. You want to talk about this first?”
“No. I really just want to get it over with.”
“You know I love you.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I love you too.”
“And I want you safe. Always. I want you to think before you act. Understand?”
“Yes, Papa.”
“We’re also going to have to start some self-defense lessons. I know your ankle is still a bit weak but there are things we can do that won’t affect it.”
That was probably a good idea.
“I’ll breathe easier and it will give you some confidence.”
“Okay, Papa.”
“That’s my good girl.” He tapped his left thigh. “Over you go.”
She turned and he helped her lie over his left thigh. He trapped her legs between his thick thighs.
“It’s a count of twenty-five,” he told her.
Twenty-five? She wasn’t going to sit at all today.
The first smack caught her by surprise. Oh, God. He wasn’t going easy on her. These weren’t like the other smacks he’d given her earlier. These were hard. Fast.
Now she knew why he’d positioned her as he had, trapping her legs. She wanted to wriggle free. To kick. She reached back with her hands but he held them in the small of her back. Then he paused. “That okay on your arm, baby girl?”
“It’s fine on my arm, but my bottom is in agony.”
“Oh, no it’s not. Not yet.”
Several more smacks landed. Each one seemed harder than the one before it. Although she wasn’t sure if that was her imagination or not.
Finally, she gave up fighting and just lay on his lap. Tears dripped down her face. But even as her bottom burned, she felt lighter inside. The guilt of what she’d done, taking off so foolishly like that, putting herself at risk and nearly getting herself and Aleki hurt.
Yeah, she guessed the spanking was what she needed. She wasn’t volunteering up that information, though.
Tears dripped down her cheeks as she sobbed. The bedspread beneath her had grown wet from her tears. Two more smacks landed then he stopped, rubbing his hand over her back.
“Shh, baby girl. Shh. It’s all over now. Papa is so proud of you.” He carefully laid her on the bed then lay facing her, pressing her to his chest.
She sobbed. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“All is forgiven. My beautiful girl. I love you so much.”