Page 183 of Giddy Up, Daddy

She mulled over my question and I took the opportunity to feed her. Finally she wiped her mouth with a napkin, and leaned her head on my shoulder.

“I’m not sure. It’s not always about spanking, is it?”

“Not always,” I answered her plainly.

“Maybe you’d have me write about what happens when you go too many nights in a row without adequate sleep. Did you know that there are countries in the world that use sleep deprivation as a torture device?”

Chuckling, I nodded. “Actually I did know that. You’re spot-on. My typical response or consequence if you will, is not usually physical correction. It would be better in my opinion to teach a lesson so that it doesn’t continue to happen. If you understand the why behind the reason you’ll be more apt to listen. Or at least get yourself into a better routine.”

“Hm. That makes a lot of sense, Wyatt. Can you please give me another example?”

“Sure, baby. Last night you went out alone and had drinks without securing a ride home or telling anyone where you went. Am I right in my assumptions?” I scratched my chin while she swallowed hard. I thought she was going to say something, but instead she shrugged.

“Give me a verbal answer, Kennedy.”

“You’re giving me a real-life scenario. Plus you already said you were going to spank me today. Have you changed your mind?”

“No, I haven’t. Please tell me if I’m right or not.”

“I was joking when I told Alden that a tattoo of ‘You’re right’ seemed to be a good idea. Maybe I’ll fucking laminate an index card and carry it around at all times.”

“Come on, Trixy. There is a method to my madness.”

She blew out a breath and turned her body to face mine. I took her hands.

“Yes. I went to a bar in a part of town I knew most of our friends don’t typically go to. I made a bad decision because honestly, I didn’t want to hear it.”

“Hear what, sweetheart?” I pushed her gently to share.

“The disappointment! The argument that I’m an idiot. That I shouldn’t have been stupid and walked away from Alden. That I should have trusted you. That I should have done anything other than not get into a relationship with the two of you. I fucked up. Okay?”

“Hey now,” I said softly. “I wasn’t asking to get you upset. I’m trying to figure out where your head was at. I’d never intentionally make you feel ashamed or embarrassed.”

“Our friends, at least the ones that are in relationships, seem to be the happiest people on the planet. I think some of that is the reason why I held back too. My ex-husband was terrible. He didn’t do anything good for me at all. He actively prevented me from doing things I love. I never told anyone about all the fights we used to have. Where he’d belittle me and make me feel completely inadequate.”

“Aw, Kennedy.” I pulled her toward me, setting her on my thighs so I could wrap my arms around her.

“I’m sorry. This is a lot on you, Wyatt. I shouldn’t have gone off. Alden knows a lot of it, but not all of it.”

“But all those conversations we had, sweetheart? Outside. Under the stars? You never shared.”

“No, because I was mortified. And I felt hopeless. Like I’d never be able to open up to anyone ever again. That I’d never have the love I was so desperate to find.”

“Shoot. I know why you felt like you wouldn’t find love, darling.” I kissed her forehead.

“How on earth do you know why I felt like that?”

“Because the two of us are probably the most stubborn people in Falcon Creek,” I said, chuckling.

“Nah. You know Tate. He’s got to be more stubborn than you and I,” Kennedy replied.

“Not since he’s been with Jesse.” It wasn’t just my opinion. Everyone in our circle could see it.

“Okay, you’re right. He’s mellowed. A whole bunch,” she agreed.

“So, back to what I was saying. I know you felt like you wouldn’t find love or a relationship because you dug your heels into the ground and decided you wouldn’t.”

Kennedy grumbled, her fingers tracing the outline of my cheekbone. “Does your face hurt?”

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