Page 50 of Cutter

“We’re getting closer.”

He whacked her again. “I don’t appreciate being confused with your ex.”

“I know, I know.”

“No. If you knew, you wouldn’t have spoken to me that way. How could you? When have I tried to stop you? I admire what you do. You’re a fucking female detective, for heaven’s sake, and in a small Southern town. That alone is amazing. But I also don’t want you to get hurt. My job is to protect you. Do you even grasp the concept?” A hard slap followed his question.

Emily had been stiff at the start of the spanking. Now, she relaxed into the punishment, absorbing the pain as his palm delivered the rightful punishment to her flesh.

She deserved every blow he gave.This great idea is your baby too, she thought with derision. The needy brat in her had concocted the senseless scheme: accusations and disrespectwould push him away, proving, in the end, that she wasn’t worthy of love and devotion.

Well, the hissy fit hadn’t worked. Not only wasn’t he leaving, he was disciplining the crap out of her bratty self. Next time the spoiled child wanted to speak, she’d put a muzzle on her mouth.

Emily’s butt was going numb, but the devilish man must have known the blows were losing impact, because he switched to her upper thighs, renewing waves of pain.

Abruptly, her mind hit the wall. “Daddy?” In her confusion, a plea turned to a murmured question.

He placed his palm on her lower back. “I’m listening.”

“I don’t feel so good.”

“Okay. It’s over.” He stroked the area under her PJ’s and along her lower back. The sensation was soothing and relaxing. “We need to discuss safewords.”

“Safewords?”

“Crap. Don’t tell me that jerk never gave you safewords.”

“No,” she whispered, remembering the times she’d begged him not to do one act or another. Or when, despite her pleading, he’d left her cuffed to the foot of the bed alone for so long, she’d soiled herself, then gotten a spanking for not controlling herself. Dennis had never used safewords. “Consensual” wasn’t a concept he believed in.

“Punishment is over, sweet Emily. Push against me. Come on, stand.” He grasped her arm, helping her up. “Don’t move while I undress you.” Cutter unbuttoned the top of her PJ’s, pulled down her pants, and let everything fall on the floor. After scooping her up into his arms, he carried her to the bedroom.

Carefully, he placed her on the bed. “Curl up on your side. Your cute bottom is too sore.”

“But…where are you going?”

“I’m drawing you a bath.” Lifting long strands of hair that had fallen on her damp face, he kissed her forehead and lips. “Be patient, little Emmy. Daddy has you.”

As he walked into her bathroom, she made the most critical decision of her lifetime: to turn a deaf ear to her inner brat and put her welfare and happiness in Cutter’s hands. No questions asked.

When he emerged, the sound of water filling her tub came with him.

“Bath is ready. It’ll make you feel better.” Cradling her in his arms, he lifted her. “I found your jar of salts and poured some in the water. But we need to do something about your bathtime. It’s kind of boring. Except for that poor little mermaid that’s been used hundreds of times next to the tub, you don’t have any fun stuff. I’m gonna get you some toys.”

Lacing her arms around his strong neck, she replied, “You’re confusing me with a Little. I don’t have toys.”

Cutter made a face. “I’m not confusing a thing. Later, I’ll show you how clearheaded I am. Middles can have fun too. There are toys, and there aretoys.” He waggled his eyebrows. Emily let the matter rest. Her Daddy was no ordinary man and was already planning surprises for her. Might as well ride along with him.

As he put her down, he steadied her by the waist. “Step in and slide into the water. It’s hot, but you’ll like it.”

Holding on to Cutter’s arm, Emily followed his instructions. One step into the tub and her senses came alive. She’d forgotten how wonderful and healing baths could be. Submerging her body into hot water was like entering Heaven, or what she imagined Heaven would feel like. From somewhere, Cutter produced a folded towel and put it at the edge of the tub. “Rest your neck on this.”

Emily leaned back and closed her eyes, becoming one with the perfumed steam and soothing heat. As her arms and body floated a little, her muscles relaxed, and the ache and tension in her butt and thighs diminished and faded. The spanking session and Cutter’s anger dissipated into a distant past.

“How does it feel, little Emmy?”

“It’s perfect,” she replied.

“Stay like that for a little while, then I’ll wash your hair when I come back. Here. Take her. She misses you.” He put her old toy mermaid in her palm.

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