Page 35 of Taking Her Medicine

“Don’t go down the rabbit hole, Zoelle. Your reaction was genuine and I’m proud of you for being brave enough to speak up.”

“Thanks, Daddy.”

Aaron strolled into the living room with me hanging on him like a monkey. I giggled as he sat me down on the couch. “I should be home around five, but I’ll text you. We’ll address the issue at my house, and spend the rest of our night doing fun things.”

“Mmkay.” I squeezed his hand. “By the way, I really liked waking up next to you, Daddy.”

“Me too, princess.”

“Can we do it more often?”

“Yes, Zoelle. I’d really like that.”

I thought back on some of the past times we’d spent together, before we were in a relationship. Once, I had gone over to his house, hormonal, bloated, and literally eating chocolate pretzels dipped in cookies-and-cream ice cream. I’d been wearing my oldest fuzzy pink robe. Aaron hadn’t batted an eye over my wardrobe choice. Instead, he’d tucked me underneath warm blankets on his couch, and snuggled against me while we watched hours of sappy romance movies. The whole time, he had massaged my head, my shoulders, my back, his touch soothing my pain.

Aaron had so many incredible qualities. Sweet. Considerate. A good friend. A wonderful boyfriend. An amazing daddy. I had been irritated at the length of time it took for him to notice me, but we were building something real and the thought warmed my heart.

Some things were worth the wait.

* * *

Aaron

My morning started off much better than it had in a while and the workday flew by. I got out of work on time for once, and showered and dressed in casual clothes, before sending a text to my sweet little kitten, instructing her to come over. I plotted out what implements to use for Zoelle’s punishment, and they were laid out in my bedroom.

When she eventually flounced through the backdoor in sparkly leggings and a cute top underneath her puffy winter coat, I caught her in my arms. We kissed as if we hadn’t seen each other in months rather than hours. I pulled away first, before we got hopelessly wrapped up in each other, and risk all my plans going out the window.

“What kept you up past your bedtime last night, sweetheart?”

Zoelle worried her lip between her teeth. She hung her coat up and removed her glittery pink hat. Knowing what was coming, she shucked out of her boots and socks, leaving them at the door. “I let my interactions with Leeann get under my skin. Her nastiness combined with the overall unpleasant atmosphere makes it difficult to concentrate.”

“Mention it to your boss, and to the human resource department at Abundant Health’s main office. They pride themselves on providing a welcoming environment for everyone who works there.”

“I hate causing waves, Aaron.”

“It’s important.”

“I know, but the nurses don’t understand what I do. I keep getting interrupted and being treated like I’m the errand girl. I work with huge chunks of numbers when I’m searching a procedure or a diagnostic code. Someone pulling me out of my zone for one minute can cost me twenty minutes or more of recovery time.”

“Maybe there’s an office in the building they can open up for you?”

“I will talk to them.” She traced a finger over my lips. “Your mouth is so distracting, Aaron.”

“Nope, we don’t have time for that now, kitten.” Though I very much wanted to spend time licking along her curves, I had let her punishment hang over the two of us for longer than it should have. Her finger dipped lower, moving down to my hips, but I caught her wrist. “Later.”

“Okay.” Her pretty mouth sagged, and she shuffled along next to me while we headed to my bedroom.

“We’ve got all night for fun things.”

“I know,” she huffed. “Are you punishing me because of bedtime or something else?”

“Bedtime is the only rule I’m aware of you not listening to.” I tapped the center of the mattress and she folded herself over my bed. I admired the way her perky butt popped up for my correction, though I’d rather be touching her for our shared pleasure rather than for discipline. “If you have something to add, Zoelle, say it now.”

“Nope.”

I brought my palm down on her upper right thigh twice. “Do you have anything to add, sweetheart?”

“No, Sir! I didn’t break any other rules.”

---