Page 59 of Imperfect Skin

I hoped Daddy was going to let me get changed into my play clothes down here in front of the fireplace. It was cold today.

“Little Mouse.” Daddy knocked on the door. “Come through to the sitting room. I’ve got your clothes and a surprise for you. Don’t forget to wash your hands.”

Pfft. As if I would forget. What was the surprise? I hurried up and got my pants zipped superfast, then used the bubblegum-scented hand soap Alice and I had picked for this bathroom. It smelled better than the one upstairs.

“Hands washed.” I ran into the sitting room, wiggling my fingers. Daddy was sitting in his favourite chair, holding my favourite pair of pyjama pants and one of his worn, grey Viking Ink T-shirts.

“Come here then, and let’s get you changed.”

I stripped out of my jeans and T-shirt in record time. Daddy held my pyjama pants out for me to step into. They were warm, like they’d just come out of the dryer.

“Turn around for me. I want to check on your back before we put your T-shirt on.”

I did a little spin and glanced over at the coffee table while Daddy made sure my back was okay. My eyes landed on a large, colourful, paper shopping bag, the sort that The Toy Box used.

“Did you get me something?” I had to resist the urge to grab the bag until Daddy had finished looking at my back.

“I did. You were super focused at work today, and only called one person a wanker.”

“He was wasting time taking photos for his Instagram and didn’t actually want any ink. He made you waste time working on that sketch for him then argued the price and walked out.”

It made me cross. Daddy and Simon worked damn hard to make the shop what it was.

“Yeah, he was a bit of a dickhead, but that still doesn’t make it right that you ran out after him, calling him all the names under the sun.” Daddy turned me around and tapped my nose before he helped me put the T-shirt on. “Now, I debated not giving you your reward, but apart from that little outburst, you got your sketches done and sorted out the ink order, which you didn’t have to do, and that deserves a reward.”

“But I’m still going to get my bum spanked?”

“Yes, lamb. Do you know why?”

“I shouldn’t have run after the guy or yelled at him in the street, and I shouldn’t say stuff like that?” I looked at my toes and wiggled them, not wanting to see the disappointed look on Daddy’s face.

“True. What if he’d had mates outside who jumped you, or he’d had a fucking knife on him like half the kids do these days? We’re spoiled living here. We forget that people can be total prats. It would kill me if anything happened to you, lamb.”

I looked up into Daddy’s eyes, feeling the weight of the words he’d spoken. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“I know you are, but you’re still getting ten swats.” I shivered at the growly tone in Daddy’s voice. I had the feeling my bum was going to be several shades of red for a good long time. I just hoped Daddy didn’t get tired of me being me.

“Now, over my lap, and this time I want you to count for me.”

Ugh. It was going to hurt. Daddy had a hard smack.

“Now, lamb. The faster this is done the faster you can see your reward.”

I didn’t pout. I was a big boy. But I wasn’t going to throw myself over Daddy’s lap eagerly, either.

I maybe took a bit too long laying myself over Daddy’s lap, and when I peeked over my shoulder, I could see he had that serious frown going on, the one that meant my bum was in for a world of hurt.

Daddy yanked my pyjamas down, and I startled a little bit when I felt his large, calloused hands on my bare skin. He fondled and kneaded my arse before the first smack landed.

“Count, lamb.” Daddy brought his hand down hard.

“O-one, owie Daddy, that hurts!” I yelped out.

Slaps rained down on my bottom. “It’s not supposed to tickle. Now keep counting.” Daddy continued to spank me, and I counted each one. The pain didn’t disappear, and nothing magical happened inside me that made it okay. Instead, I realised he was punishing me because I’d scared him and put myself in danger again.

Daddy cared about me.

I snuffled through counting the last few spanks. My arse was going to glow like a stoplight, but I did feel better. I’d felt bad I’d worried Daddy, but I knew that now I’d been punished, I was forgiven.

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