Page 95 of Ruin Me, Daddy

He was watching her close enough to see the little smirk before she bit her bottom lip and looked up at him with doleful eyes. “Well… maybe. But you’re going to say no.”

There it was. Little brat was up to something. “Maybe you should try asking, first.”

“Okay but only if you promise to at least think about it before you say no.”

“Why wouldn’t I at least consider it?”

“Because it’s at the club.”

Ah. That’s why she thought he would shoot her down. They hadn’t been to the club since the attack, not even to watch the others play. “What, exactly, is at the club?”

“They’re doing another auction night. I just thought it would be fun to go and see everybody. I know you don’t think I’m ready to play, even though I am. I just want to have a few drinks and talk to people.”

It wasn’t a horrible idea. And if he was being honest, he was feeling a little restless himself. “Hmm. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to go and watch the action.”

“Really?” Everything about her lit up from the inside and in an instant she was up on her knees, throwing her arms around his neck and squeezing. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Careful of your hands, baby. And I said we can go and watch. We are not playing tonight. Understood?”

“Totally!” Pulling away with a squeal, she jumped up from the couch. “I’m going to go text the girls and let them know!”

Watching her bounce around the house, getting ready for their outing, he felt a pang of guilt at not taking her out sooner. There was a fine line between being cautious and totally cutting them off from everyone and everything out of fear.

Even if it did make him a little antsy to think about taking her somewhere with that many people. But Club BDE was about the safest place he could think of, so he tried to swallow down the anxiety lodged in his chest.

It was worth the bit of extra worry when she stepped out of the bedroom, in one of those black dresses down to the floor with the slit clear up to her hip, her hair loose and wild around her face.

And that face. God, that face. She was gorgeous without so much as a hint of mascara on, but he couldn’t deny that seeing her in that sultry, ‘Queen of Rock’ makeup just did something for him.

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to play a little bit tonight. Nothing strenuous. He could put her on his lap and edge her until she begged him to let her come while they watched the bidders play with their new toys. According to her physical therapist, she was cleared to resume ‘normal activities’, so as long as he was mindful of her hands…

With the possibilities playing over in his mind, he held out a hand for hers, grasping her fingers lightly in his own and bringing her knuckles to his lips. “You look stunning, as always, my sweet little goddess.”

Pink blossomed on her cheeks. “I feel stunning. It feels good to get dressed up.”

There was the guilt again, poking at his chest. Lifting his free hand to her face, he cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry if I’ve been smothering you,” he murmured. “I just want you to be safe.”

Something flickered in her eyes, a flash of emotion gone too quickly for him to identify it before she smiled. “I know. You’re such a Daddy.”

Laughter helped to dispel some of the guilt and he leaned in for a kiss. “And you’re a brat. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just because I won’t spank you right now, that it means I won’t punish you.” Inspiration struck and he grinned. “As a matter of fact, wait right here. Daddy has something for you.”

He left her standing there, scowling after him as he strode into the bedroom and opened the closet. A quick check of his play bag netted him exactly what he wanted, and he headed back to the living room.

“Bend over the arm of the couch.”

Eyes narrowing slightly, she watched him approach. “Why?”

It shouldn’t have surprised him that she would be testing him. After going so long without a real punishment, her brat was likely itching to get out. “Because your Daddy told you to, little girl. If you’re going to argue, we can just as easily stay in tonight.”

Her bottom lip puffed out into a pout, but she turned and positioned herself over the couch as instructed. The position raised her bottom up without putting too much pressure on her hands, which was what he wanted.

“Good girl.” Gripping the hem of her dress, he slowly pulled it up, exposing the long length of her legs inch by inch. By the time he was staring down at the silk and lace covering her bottom, she was squirming, grinding her hips against the leather arm.

Naughty girl.

A sharp swat to her bottom settled her down. “Have you so quickly forgotten who that pretty pussy belongs to, baby? You only get to come if Daddy says so.”

“That doesn’t seem very fair if we’re not going to play tonight.”

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