Page 44 of Daddy P.I. 3.0

She gives me big eyes. “It’s only a little after ten.”

“And my little is tired.”

“I’m notthattired—” A yawn interrupts her protest.

“I’m not negotiating with you, baby. But I am in an indulgent mood. If you agree to go to sleep whenever we’re finished, I can see a good girl spanking while we listen to Storytime in your future.”

“And Wolfy Daddy after,” she says, immediately bargaining, the way she does, my imp.

“We’ll see if you stay awake,” I agree. “Also, De Leon’s asking something from Cappa this week while he’s gone. I’m not sure if it’s abstinence or orgasm denial or what yet but I think a day or two of edging and orgasm denial would help keep your mind off both your mother and Miranda.”

Her sweet face screws up ferociously. “Yuck.”

“That’s not a no.”

“It’s a yuck. I hate orgasm denial.”

“I know you do, my baby. Think hard about why Daddy would ask you to do something you hate at a stressful time.”

The face she makes is hilarious, adorable, and not at all contemplative. “Because Daddy likes yucky things.”

“Yes, that’s definitely the reason.”

“There are other ways to distract me,” she points out. “Lots of other ways. Like visiting the Rexes. Or the evil nubbly paddle. Or tying me up in a new way. Or drilling my teeth. All of those are substantially better than No O for a week.”

I chuckle. “I didn’t say a week. Can we agree to two days?”

“How about one?”

“How about two and a session with the new paddle at the end?”

“Thirty-six hours.”

“Forty-eight.”

Emily sighs and hangs her head. “Oookay.”

I kiss the top of those cute, droopy dark curls. “That’s my girl. I’ll give you a day’s warning before you become a No O Zone, so you can stock up.”

She giggles softly. “I want a dozen in the No O prep day.”

“Mmm, we’ll see if you earn them. Come on, my sweet baby. Let’s get you ready for bed and your spanking.”

She takes my hand and tucks herself into my side as I lead her down the hall to our bedroom.

Bravo has Storytime tonight and he’s reading from Shel Silverstein’s poems when we join, which Emmy loves. She recites them while I brush her hair and dress her in a soft cotton nightgown. I think this one is vintage. There are tiny pleats all across her chest and pink ribbons threaded around the neckline, sleeves, and hem. When she’s dressed, I stand her at the edge of the bed and kneel in front of her.

“Daddy?” She looks down at me wonderingly.

I cup her ankles. “This is my baby,” I say softly. “My darling girl.” I run my hands up her calves and tickle behind her knees until she giggles. “My sweetheart.” I continue up the backs of her thighs, squeezing gently. “The woman I adore.” I cup her round bottom, bare under the nightgown. “My little wife.”

“Daddy,” she breathes. “I love you too.”

“Every day, you delight me, Emmy. Every day, I love you more. You make even the hardest times easy.”

“Daddy.” A tear slips down her cheek. I push up to lick it away.

“You’re allowed to have rough days, baby girl. You’re allowed to be sad. You’re allowed to struggle with your feelings. But you’re not allowed to ever, for one minute, forget how much Daddy adores you.”

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