“Good. That’s how I know it’s working.”

Ugh. She hated it when he pulled out those stupid ‘Daddyisms’ especially during a punishment. And he knew it, which was why he made it a point to use them as often as possible. Squeezing her eyes shut, she bit her tongue against a stream of swear words that would undoubtedly get her mouth washed out and her bottom paddled extra hard with one of the many implements Matt kept stashed around his house.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Ian stopped spanking and let his hand rest on her aching bottom. “When we are guests in someone’s home, what do we do, Taylor Grace?”

“F-follow the r-rules, Daddy.”

“Good girl. Come here, let Daddy snuggle you.”

Scrambling up from her prone position, she curled up on his lap, sniffling softly the same way Carly had after her spanking. It hadn’t been nearly long enough or hard enough to actually bring her to tears, which she was oddly disappointed by. It wasn’t like she actually wanted a harder spanking, but she could have used the release a really good cry would bring just then.

“That’s my girl,” Daddy murmured, rocking her gently. “Are you going to be a good girl and apologize to Matty for breaking his rules?”

“Don’t wanna.” It was another part of their ritual; one she normally had no problem with. But just then she was feeling… Well, she wasn’t entirely sure what she was feeling. Not bratty, exactly, because she didn’t want to be in trouble again. Sulky was probably the better description, and she wasn’t entirely sure why. It wasn’t the worst punishment she’d ever gotten and she’d certainly deserved it.

And yet, she just wanted to cuddle her Daddy and pout about it. She certainly did not want to apologize to Matt for breaking his stupid rule about snacks.

“Taylor Grace.” Ian’s voice took on a hard edge that had her bottom clenching in response. “Apologize to Matt or you can go back over my knee.”

“No, I don’t want another spankin’!”

“Then apologize right now, little girl.”

She didn’twantto apologize. But she also didn’twantanother spanking.

Feeling trapped, she did the only thing she could think of. She popped her pacifier back in her mouth.

There. Now she couldn’t apologize. Problem solved.

Right. Like her Daddy was going to let her get away with that.

But instead of pulling the rubber from her mouth and demanding she apologize, Ian simply sighed. “Someone is obviously feeling a bit out of sorts. I’m going to take her home and put her down for a nap.”

“I think that’s a good idea. I’ll call you later.” There was a hint of something in Matt’s tone. Not quite anger, but Taylor was too tired to pinpoint exactly what thatsomethingwas.

Maybe Daddy was right. Maybe she did need a nap.

“Come on, baby,” Ian said, his voice surprisingly gentle considering how much trouble she was in. “Let’s get you home.”

Chapter Five

What the hell had gotten into his babygirl?

Standing in the doorway of their bedroom, he watched her sleep. She was still sucking on the pacifier, which was new. Normally she only used it for a few minutes here and there, and she’d never napped with it before.

Maybe she was sick. Worried, he crossed the room and held the back of his hand to her forehead. Not warm, which was a relief. He’d still take her temperature when she woke up, just to be sure.

The thought of taking her temperature brought to mind the special thermometer he’d purchased months ago but hadn’t quite worked up the nerve to use yet. Taylor had made it abundantly clear she wanted to experiment with more ‘butt stuff’ as she called it, but his worries and self-doubt always seemed to get in the way.

Like so many other things in their relationship, neither one of them had any experience with anal play outside of what they’d tried together. So while they had played with plugs a bit, he’d never taken that next step to actually fuck her there.

What if he screwed it up? What if he hurt her, like seriously hurt her? As much as he enjoyed the idea of claiming every last part of his sweet babygirl, the thought that he might actually harm her tied his stomach into knots. And despite the hours of research he’d done on this exact topic, he was still feeling very out of his depth.

He should call Matt. Not only was Matt his best friend, he’d also been something of a mentor to him from the moment he’d decided to take on the role of Taylor’s Daddy. And he knew for a fact Matt enjoyed punishing his Little girl’s bottom insideandout when she was particularly naughty. If anyone could help Ian navigate that particular issue, it would be Matt.

But as soon as the thought entered his mind, Taylor stirred, her eyes fluttering open with a whimper and everything that wasn’t her was pushed from his mind.

Sliding into bed with her, he gently pulled the pacifier from her mouth. “Hey there, sleepyhead. Feel better?”