Page 55 of R for Rough

Yeah. I wept like a freaking baby, and that was exactly what it was.

I was also realizing that I’d been scared for much longer than I’d originally thought. My brain had just protected me from feeling it when the stakes were so high. And now…ugh.

Plus, it’d fucked with my head to see Justin cry before we’d left Ryan’s property. Henevercried.

Everyone had essentially sagged into heaps of relief and emotions when it was over, and we hadn’t seen it coming. Maybe Kit. He’d clearly done this many times before. Angel, too. Even so, they’d fallen apart.

A massive weight had lifted from my shoulders, and I guessed I was crying it off.

Oh my gosh, I looked like a bloody mess! Literally! I hadn’t seen my reflection when Daddy had ushered me into the shower, but now I couldn’t look away. My face and neck had little cuts and scrapes everywhere.

Daddy got down on one knee to drag the towel gently over my legs, and I saw redness and budding bruises along my thighs and torso.

“Can we take pictures of the marks, Daddy?” I croaked.

He smiled up at me and dried my junk. “We’ll do that tomorrow and the day after when the colors come out.”

Oh yeah, good idea.

I sniffled and wiped my nose, and I waited till he was ready for my next step in the aftercare process. He’d asked me some stuff, like what I needed, and I honestly hadn’t been able to tell him. Aside from closeness. I wanted him nearby the whole time. But he seemed to be winging it very well.

“Time to march this cute butt to bed,” he said. “But you can wait in the doorway while I grab some essentials.”

Essentials were essential. I didn’t know what he was referring to, and I was content to find out whenever.

He enveloped me in the biggest towel, while he kept his wrapped around his hips, and I watched him duck into the kitchen for a moment.

I sniffled and scratched my head—ouch, sore! Like a Kinder surprise for masochists. I didn’t know what I was getting until I came upon a sore spot or a bruise.

“Do you need help, Daddy?” I asked.

“No, you just wait there, little one.”

Okidoke.

He rummaged around for a couple minutes more, and when he reemerged, I felt my eyes light up. He’d made an ice cream sundae! Holy crap, it looked so delicious. Chocolate, strawberry, crushed hazelnuts—I assumed, because it was what I had—chocolate syrup, half a banana, and little wafers. He must’ve bought those.

“I’m thinkin’ dessert comes first during aftercare,” he said. “I wanna get your sugars up, and you need something to do while I inspect your body.”

Oh, I could get used to this.

“But what do you need for aftercare?” I asked, following him into the bedroom.

“This is my aftercare,” he replied. He pulled down the duvet and patted the mattress.

I jumped right in!

“Just being with you, all the cuddles, taking care of you…” He smiled as I got settled, and he extended the ice cream bowl and a spoon.

“Thank you so much, Sir.” I immediately scooped up some chocolate ice cream with lots of nuts. “But so we’re clear, I wanna take care of you too.”

He smirked faintly and joined me in bed with his bag. “You can rub my left leg tomorrow. I don’t know what you did, but it’s hurting like a bitch. Oh, and mynose, you little shit. That came outta nowhere.”

I giggled around a mouthful of ice cream.

His nose looked fine. I hadn’t broken it, at least!

Maybe next time. Because there had to be a next time.

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