Page 17 of Cherishing Little Charlee

CHARLEE

Walking around the gift shop, a place I’d been hundreds of times hit differently today. It could be that I knew we were here to select clothes, something I didn’t love and “objects” which I didn’t know what would entail. We strolled through the aisles as if we had all the time in the world. And I suppose we did. I nuzzled against Pierce’s shoulder.

“Do you see anything you want to bring home, starlet?”

Starlet. The term of endearment reminded me of “a small star” but it was also a nod to my theater prowess. Pierce had started calling me that around the same time as mentioning that he wanted me to call him Daddy. As if he were saying starlet instead of “Little girl”. I secretly loved the term because it made my heart glow with adoration.

“Yeah, besides you?” I winked. “All these puffy skirts remind me of a dancer. I always wanted to be onstage even when I was younger, but my feet aren’t graceful.”

“I may have noticed that, but you can wear anything you want. You don’t have to be a dancer. Would you like to try a few on?”

“Yes! I’ll pick out something instead of wandering aimlessly.”

I touched the fluffy material of a gorgeous teal and pink skirt embellished with glitter. Even though I was surprised, I found my size and added another one done in orange and pink plus a dark purple one that was longer. Pierce patiently walked through the next aisle while I added a few graphic tees: lavender with the letters “Born to be a Star,” a light blue one that read “All the Ranch is a Stage,” and a peachy long sleeve tee with the phrase, “There WILL be Drama”. I loved them all. Holding out my choices to Pierce, he collected them. Becoming more excited, I grabbed three pairs of ballerina slippers in shades that matched. He followed me as I chattered a mile a minute and walked toward the dressing room. Sweat prickled under my armpits. Was he going to watch me change?

Pierce leaned against the door. “Can you get dressed with your splint or would you like a hand?”

My wrist wasn’t hurting as much. I could probably do it alone. I watched him hang up my gorgeous choices and fretted. He knew what my body looked like in clothing, but having an audience for trying clothing on wasn’t something I’d thought about. My brat poked through because it was a more comfortable feeling than the heat from his gaze.

“I got dressed this morning just fine without your help,” I said with more sass than I’d intended.

“Not what I asked, Charlee. Mind your tone.” He nodded back toward the store’s floor.

“Hmmm? I don’t recall my tone or manner of speaking listed in the three things I’m supposed to be doing.” It wasn’t like he’d spank me for the first time in front of everyone. Not that the shop was very busy but there were people browsing the aisles. It would have been so much easier to nod and smile and ask for his assistance. But, I had the urge to test him since he mentioned rules.

“Technically you are correct. Keep sassing me, sweetheart, and I’ll test out this new paddle on your behind.” Pierce held up the basket in his hand.

Peering into the basket, I saw an innocuous-looking hairbrush-shaped implement. The gorgeous wood was light brown and engraved with wildflowers. “Pretty.”

“It won’t feel pretty on your bottom,” he warned.

“Wait. You’d spank me in the gift shop? Now? In front of everyone?” I was equally horrified and intrigued. His warning should have been enough to get me to stop, but… I didn’t want to. I had a strong urge to see if he’d follow through. Part of me knew deep down he would. In fact, I’d be upset if he didn’t do as he mentioned. Not that I wanted a spanking. Who was I kidding? Yes, I did.

“I thought I was clear. Do I have to repeat myself, starlet?”

My left foot stomped twice as if it had a mind of its own, and I scowled. “I asked you important questions!”

Pierce stared at me for a moment as if he’d drawn an imaginary line on the floor and I’d crossed it. “Lower your voice, Charlee. Ask me respectfully.”

Pfft. Okay, wanting a Daddy and having a Daddy were apparently twoverydifferent things. I’d agreed to his rules and respect was encompassed in those rules. Thinking that he might pull the plug on our whole plan before I’d even made it twenty-four hours had me stuffing my brat deep down into my belly.

“I apologize, Daddy. I’m overwhelmed but it’s no excuse. Will you spank me in front of everyone?”

“Well, since you asked so nicely, Charlee. Yes, of course I will.” Pierce plucked the gorgeous wood paddle out of the basket and twirled it in his hand. He couldn’t keep the grin off his handsome face.

Oh no! That wasn’t fair at all! But technically I had asked for it. He’d found some sort of Dom loophole. I couldn’t help butdart a glance behind him where I could see someone moving down an aisle. “Can we please consider a compromise, Daddy?”

“Sure, babygirl. What would you like to compromise on?” His grin grew wider.

“Will you please punish me in private?” It felt like the room spun around us as the words hung in the air. It wasn’t nerves exactly, but the knowledge that my first Pierce-delivered spanking was going to happen. It was no longer a fantasy of “someday”.

“Absolutely.” He led me into the dressing room and shut the door behind us. Sitting on the long bench, he leaned against the wall and maintained eye contact.

“Come and lay yourself across my knee.”

Technically private but also not quite what I’d meant. I was going to spend some time learning how to word my questions better. My feet moved to him as of their own accord, and I draped myself in the requested position.

“There’s my good girl. Are you comfortable?” He purred, running his hands along my spine and over each of my bottom cheeks.

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