Page 10 of His Sassy Little

“But nothing bad happened, and besides that, it worked. I shouldn’t be punished for being 007 in a skirt!”

Her pout was absolutely adorable, but it wasn’t about to distract him.

“Oh, it worked, and I’m suitably impressed with your spy skills, Double-O. That still doesn’t negate the fact that you put yourself in danger.”

Arabella let out the cutest huff, crossed her arms under her chest, tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and attempted to stare him down. Tanner simply stared back with one brow raised until she stomped her foot, muttered a curse then shouted “Fine!” before turning on her heel and marching the rest of the way to the car.

Tanner watched her ass sway as she walked and lamented the fact that he wouldn’t be finding out exactly how pink he could make it. He could however think of other fun punishments involving that mighty fine ass.

He hurried to catch up and opened Arabella’s door for her. After helping her into the seatbelt, as he was closing the door, he could have sworn he heard her mutter in the cutest little pouty voice, “I was just trying to help… meanie Daddy.”

He saved his chuckle until he was sure the door was fully closed.

“Tanner?”

Arabella had just sat down on his couch when she’d spoken.

“Yes, Little Hurricane?”

“What did you mean when you said ‘yet’?”

“When I said ‘yet’? When did I say that?”

Tanner was truly curious; he couldn’t recall when he might have said it.

“Back there, you said, ‘I know I’m not your Daddy… yet.’ What did you mean?”

Shit.

He’d known he thought it but hadn’t been aware he’d actually voiced the thought. Tanner wouldn’t lie to her, though, so he sat down beside her. Arabella might be using this discussion to delay the punishment they’d agreed on, but it was also something they needed to discuss, sooner rather than later.

“I meant that I’d very much like to be your Daddy. When you feel you trust me enough and are ready to take that step, I’d like to.”

Tanner really hoped he hadn’t laid his cards down too soon, but she’d asked and if he wanted a chance at being her Daddy, he’d have to be honest and answer her questions.

“I do..” Arabella’s cheeks turned pink, and her hands fidgeted as she stumbled over her words. “I mean,… I’d… Oh hell, I already trust you. So much so that I’ve agreed to a punishment. That is the epitome of trust for me, Daddy.”

Daddy.

Arabella had called him Daddy, and it had been deliberate, while she was coherent.

“Just so we’re clear here, does that mean what I think it means, Little Hurricane?”

“Do you think it means that I want you to be my Daddy, and for me to be your little girl?”

“Yeah, baby. That’s what I was hoping it meant.”

“Oh, good! I was worried for a minute that it might have sounded like I wanted the Yankees team statistics or something.”

“You little brat.” Tanner laughed, “Get over here!”

He reached for her and plopped her on his lap, where he proceeded to tickle her until she relented.

“Okay! Okay, yes! Yes, that’s what I meant!”

She was laughing so hard, it came out in short bursts of panting words, but it was everything Tanner wanted to hear.

“Okay, Little Hurricane. Now, let me go get ready for your punishment.”

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