Page 89 of Their Forever Daddy

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After that afternoon at the lake, they spent their time more or less holed up in Edie’s house, enjoying and exploring each other’s bodies, learning about each other’s likes and dislikes. Talking about the past while very pointedly avoiding any mention of the future. There were more tears, more sharp words, but little by little they healed those old wounds.

But even as they healed what was broken, nobody talked about what was going to happen at the end of the month. The couple of times Jesse had asked, Grant had given her The Look and forced her to change the subject.

Frustrated didn’t even begin to cover how she was feeling. Every day that passed without them actually talking about their future was another day Jesse’s mood grew darker and darker.

Which was how she ended up standing in the corner of the kitchen nearly two weeks after their Big Talk at the lake, sniffling back tears and resisting the urge to rub her burning bottom after her Daddy finally had enough of her attitude.

“Come here, Jesse Lynne.”

Dread filled her stomach as she turned away from the corner and shuffled over to where Daddy was still sitting in his chair by the table. Edie was out taking care of the animals, which was probably a good thing for Jesse’s bottom because she also seemed like she was running out of patience with Jesse’s pouting and sulking.

Gripping her chin between his fingers, Daddy forced her head up, and to her surprise his lips curved up in a sad smile. “There’s my pretty girl. Are you ready to tell Daddy what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know what’s wrong.” Her stomach twisted into a knot with the lie, but she wasn’t about to risk another spanking by demanding they have a conversation about their future. “I just feel really out of sorts, and I don’t know why.”

“Poor little outlaw. Come here, baby.”

Sniffling back a fresh wave of tears, she climbed up into his lap and let herself be rocked in his arms. Even though she was still feeling restless and out of sorts, the action comforted her, and she eventually relaxed and snuggled into his embrace.

“That’s my good girl.” He paused, and she got the distinct impression he was choosing his next words very carefully. “Jesse, I want to ask you something, and I want you to be completely honest with me, okay?”

“‘Kay, Daddy.”

He paused again, and her tummy did a weird little flip. “Are you… do you feel like I’m spending too much time with Edie?”

“Huh?” Pulling away a bit, she stared up at him, confused. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve been acting out quite a bit today. I’m worried maybe you aren’t getting enough attention, or you’re feeling jealous.”

“Oh.” She frowned and pretended to think about it. “No, I don’t think so.”

“That’s good.” Relief seemed to flood into his expression as he smiled. “I don’t want you to feel pushed out of our relationship. You’ll always be my Little girl, you know that, right?”

“I know. But I haven’t really had much time to be your Little anything lately.”

“Ah. Is that what’s been bothering you? We haven’t made time for Little Jesse?”

It wasn’t the entire truth, but it wasn’t exactly a lie, either. Other than the couple hours they’d spent dyeing eggs for Easter, she hadn’t really had any Little time since the Big Talk, and that was always guaranteed to make her a bit cranky. “Yeah. I think that’s probably it.”

“Then how about tonight I’ll make us some dino nuggies and macaroni and cheese, and we can see if Edie has any board games or puzzles. How does that sound?”

“It sounds perfect, Daddy. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.” He pressed a kiss to her hair before nudging her off his lap. “Why don’t you run upstairs and change into something Little Jesse might like better and I’ll run to the store for supplies.”

“Okay, Daddy!”

Excited by the idea of some Little time, even if it wasn’t exactly what she really wanted, she hopped off his lap and raced up the stairs. She took her time picking out an outfit, and in the end chose a rainbow tutu with matching knee-high socks and a shirt that proudly proclaimed her brat status in red glitter.

By the time she made her way back down the stairs, Edie was in the kitchen, chugging a glass of water while Daddy watched, his arms folded across his broad chest in a way that made Jesse’s mouth water.

“There,” Edie said after she’d swallowed the last mouthful of water in the glass. “Happy now?”

“Yes. Now, do that at least four more times today and you can go to bed without a red bottom.”

It was an argument that had been brewing for days. Jesse couldn’t tell if Edie really did just forget to eat and drink, or if she was deliberately not doing certain things just to see how Daddy handled it.

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