Page 60 of Imperfect Skin

Daddy lifted me up and held me, wiping my face with a cloth he must have had hidden, knowing what a snotty mess I’d be after I got spanked. His arms felt so good around me, and the kisses to my cheeks and forehead were doing a lot to help the sting in my bum.

“Did you want me to put some aloe on your bottom?”

I shook my head and leaned against Daddy’s chest. “Not now, need to feel it for a little while.”

“Okay, sweetheart. Did you want to see your present now?”

“Yes, please.” I winced as I stood up and my legs wobbled a little bit, but I really wanted to see what Daddy had gotten me. I grabbed the bag off the table and pulled out the box inside, gasping when I saw what it was.

“Daddy! This is Luke’s landspeeder!” I gasped, holding the large box. This must have cost so much. “Daddy, this is, oh my god.” I placed the box back onto the table and leapt for Daddy, not giving a darn about my sore arse. “It’s too much, Daddy.”

“Nonsense. You can build a little bit each day after work, and I can spoil my boy if I want, right?”

I grinned up at him. Holy shit. I really was his boy.

“Thank you.” I smooched him hard on the cheek before I ran back to my Lego set. “Daddy, I’m going to need some things to hold my bricks.”

“Already got you covered, little Mouse. Down beside you are a few plastic boxes that Nell at the store said were perfect for holding your bricks.”

“You’re the best Daddy ever,” I proclaimed, opening the box carefully and pulling out the instruction booklets. This was the best day ever. My rump stung as I moved, and even that couldn’t pop the happy bubble that surrounded me.

Twenty-One

CALLUM

Pizzas were in the oven, Alice was bathed and her homework done, and Mouse was happily playing on his Game Boy—when he wasn’t trying to steal the cheese from the pizzas I’d just finished making. I was surprised he’d listened when I’d told him to pack up his Lego, but not before showing off what he’d built to Alice when she got home.

Today had been a brilliant day, but I also figured we were still in what they called the honeymoon phase. But I held an extra ace up my sleeve. A promise of a session this weekend to try something Mouse had never experienced before, and a kink I hadn’t been able to indulge in a while. I couldn’t wait to see how Mouse reacted.

“Dad!”

“Yes, petal?”

“Are you and Mouse dating?”

I heard a startled gasp from Mouse, who’d managed to recover and try to look calm.

“Why?”

Alice arched a brow and gave me such a withering look her gran would have been proud. “Duh. I caught you two making kissy-faces this morning.”

Mouse gave a strangled laugh and moved from his spot at the kitchen table to sit on a stool near Alice.

“We are, petal. How do you feel about that?” I came around the counter and crouched down in front of her. From the day she’d been born nine years ago, Alice had been my entire world, but I also knew she adored Mouse. But how would she feel about this change in our relationship?

“Two questions.” Alice tapped her colouring pencil against her lip. “One, does this mean Mouse is going to take your side in all arguments? ’Cause I’m not sure if that’s fair. And two, if you get married, can I give you away?” She gave me such an earnest look I dared not laugh, but it was a struggle.

Mouse was barely holding it together himself. “Hey, I’ll still be on your side when it comes to watching the TV and why we can’t have second desserts. And your dad and I have only started dating, but if we ever do decide to do the whole wedding thing, I think you’d be brilliant at giving your dad away.” He held his hand up for a fist bump, which Alice happily returned.

“What about our veggie thing?”

“Ah, that. I might have to side with your dad. He’s trying to get me to eat healthier too. I’ve not been taking good enough care of myself, and it makes your dad worry.”

Alice nodded. “He does that. He’s very good at worrying.”

I laughed, loving the easy way Mouse had with Alice, and the fact he seemed to love my daughter as much as I did. And I loved that she wanted to give me away if Mouse and I got married. Fuck, why did that thought make me feel kind of giddy? We’d only just started dating, for fuck’s sake.

Clearing my throat, I focused on Alice. “Hey, so was there anything you wanted to ask us or were worried about? You know this doesn’t change things for us, right?”

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