Page 89 of The More the Merrier

“But why?” she whined.

“Because Daddy said so.”

She leaned over the overstuffed arm; thankful it was rounded and sunk comfortably into her pelvis. Lifting her ass high, Claire had to get onto her tiptoes for her elbows to reach the couch cushions. She was wiggling her hips to shift forward just a tiny bit more when she felt a streak of fire across her backside.

“Owie! Not fair.” Claire found herself pouting like the little girl Atticus was treating her as.

“I assure you, sweet girl, it is very fair. Now, take your medicine and I will give you a reward.”

Claire felt the impact shift, the next stroke on her backside was not from his hand. Whatever it was it made a loud thwapping sound and covered her entire backside.

“I’m sorreee, Daddy,” she blubbered.

“That’s better, at least you got the title right this time.”

Claire gazed over her shoulder to see Atticus holding what looked like a ping pong paddle but only much larger and it had six holes, in two rows of three. It was thick and clear, and unlike the wooden ones, she’d seen online.

“What is that?”

“It’s the punisher, aptly named for spanking naughty little behinds. Do you like it?”

“How many, Daddy?”

“Five more, if you are good.”

“No. I mean how many women have you spanked here, and with that.” She nodded at the paddle in his hand. Claire didn’t know if it was the fire wreaking havoc on her backside or knowing this would be her last ever spanking from Ati, but she had to know.

“Is that what all this is about? You are worried and thinking about my past instead of focusing on your future?”

Ati placed the paddle down and pulled Claire onto his lap. “Why does my past matter?”

She couldn’t say it; she didn’t want to. He would think her a silly girl if he knew what little experience she’d had and what she did was not so great before coming to Twin Peaks. With no answer forthcoming, Ati tipped Claire over his lap and brought the paddle down hard on her backside.

“Owie! Please, Daddy, I’ll be good I promise.”

He didn’t listen, instead bringing the paddle down in quick succession, four more times. Claire screeched like she was dying and if one could die from a spanking then this would be it. Her skin was tight, swollen and so hot. She wiggled in an attempt to put out the fire.

“Now, you will stay as you are and speak the truth.”

Claire was at a crossroads. There were things she desperately wished to share with someone, anyone, but had never found that person, not even Blaze and he’d been the closest thing to a confidant she’d ever had. And she wished to share her plan with Atticus and make things all right in her world. She could tell he was the type of man wh0 could make everything better.

“I don’t know if I can,” she finally uttered in a small voice.

Claire was right-ended up and tucked snuggly on Ati’s lap.

“That was the truest thing you’ve said so far. Now, tell Daddy what all the fuss is about.”

She settled for a partial truth. “I’m unsure how to proceed as my experiences are limited, and those have been primarily a wash. The last guy was also dating half a dozen other women at the same time as me.”

Atticus appeared thoughtful. “So that is why you asked me how many women I have brought here? You are nervous that you are one in a bunch?”

Claire’s cheeks burned bright red. “It sounds presumptuous, I get it. After all, it’s only been a few days. What right do I have to ask you about other women? And you wouldn’t have the right to ask me about other men, either.”

Claire threw out the bait hoping it would detract Atticus from getting any deeper into her motivations. She may be paranoid, but she was pretty sure he wouldn’t just let her walk. Everything that was happening with him was motivated by something else, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what. And she wondered again if he and his boss, Gregor, shared their trophies, or if they just competed against each other.

“What other men?”

Bingo! He was stuck on other men, giving Claire the out she needed to get away.

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