Page 20 of Chasing Amber

Cassandra spins around in a circle, causing the dress to flare out around her. She nearly falls over, catching herself with a hand on the dresser. She covers her laughter with a hand over her mouth as she glances at the camera.

“I assume Spence and Ben do not allow that.”

“Never.” She drops onto the floor in a fit of giggles. “But I do it anyway sometimes because you know what one of the best parts about being Little is?”

“What?”

“Spankings.”

I cringe. “Really?”

“Yep. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I swear. If you’re ever feeling stressed about something, all you have to do is break a rule because a good spanking releases the tension. A really hard spanking that makes you cry and burns your bottom is even better. You’ll sleep like a baby afterward.”

I stare at her. I’ve considered that. I’ve wondered if it would be like that. It seems like it when I’ve watched people get spanked at Surrender. They seem blissed out afterward, like they’re high. They often need aftercare and someone to keep an eye on them while they float back to Earth. It’s still difficult to comprehend.

What would it be like to have Isaac spank me? If I had a dollar for every time I’ve pondered that…

I shake off my musing, glance at the corner of the room as though I, too, might get in trouble for spinning. Then I twirl around in a circle so fast that I totally lose all sense of up and down. I’m aware of my skirt flying up so high that anyone watching would see my panties. I can’t stop because it’s fun.

But then I get dizzy and lose my footing. Before I know it, I’m falling. I see the corner of the dresser coming at my face, but I can’t stop the momentum, and I end up slamming my chin onto the wooden corner.

Shit. I’m so dazed that I don’t even notice the pain for a moment, but then I realize I’m bleeding and grab my chin. My first thought is that I don’t want to get blood on Cassandra’s dress.

I’m vaguely aware of her crying out before she races to the door and shouts, “Daddy!”

I squeeze my eyes closed and try to catch my breath. “I’m so sorry,” I mutter as Cassandra kneels in front of me, holding a towel.

“Why are you sorry?”

“Because I’m getting blood on your dress, and I’ve ruined your tea party, and you’ll probably get in trouble.” Tears well in my eyes. I can’t stop them. I don’t cry. I never cry. Except I’ve cried more than once in the past twenty-four hours.

I’m aware of the room filling with testosterone. Not surprising. Male voices. I grit my teeth when I realize one of them is Isaac. I can’t really be mad. Even though he wasn’t meant to come upstairs, there’s no way he wouldn’t come running if I were injured, which apparently, I am.

It’s Isaac who squats down next to me and tips my head back. “Let me see, baby,” he says softly. He’s so calm. And he’s callingme baby in front of everyone. I don’t even care right now. I want to crawl onto his lap.

When I lower my hand, he holds my chin and leans in closer. “You really conked it.”

Someone hands him something.

“I’m going to press a cloth to your chin, baby.”

I wince as he covers my chin with the cool, wet cloth. He holds it tight, cradling my head. He even leans over and kisses the top of my head. “It’s going to be okay.”

I’m shivering, probably from the adrenaline rush. “Is it bad?”

He smiles at me when I meet his gaze. “It’s going to need a few stitches, and you’ll have to give up your dreams of becoming a chin model, but other than that, you’ll be fine.”

I wince. “Stitches?”

“Yes, baby. It’s too deep to just put a bandage on it.”

I’m shaking harder now as I glance around. Cassandra is leaning against Ben, looking sorrowful as if she caused this. My brother is squatting near me but not as close as Isaac. Spence doesn’t interfere.

Isaac glances at Spence. “Can someone drive us to urgent care?”

Spence nods. “Of course. I’ll drive your car. Freud can follow in one of ours to bring me back.”

“Thank you.”

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