Page 31 of Cherishing Little Charlee

“Hmmm? You do? Tell me why did a typically mild-mannered Little girl pour salt into her Daddy’s best friend’s coffee?”

She looked guilty, her eyes downcast before she slowly set her gaze on mine. “If I tell you, are we going to stay home instead of having fun?”

“No, starlet. We will address your punishment and still go to the playground. I want to spoil you all day. That way you’ll be nice and relaxed for the dress rehearsal tonight. Please tell me what you know about Haven and her strange coffee mix-in selection.” I smiled as Charlee took a deep breath and let it out. I was not mad. It was important to keep our communication healthy and open.

“I may have asked her what happens when someone does something out of character to you. Maybe naughty but not disrespectful. I didn’ttellher to do it.”

I brushed Charlee’s hair, gently untangling the knots in her long tresses with my fingers as she spoke. “Something like a prank, starlet?”

“Um, well, sorta. I suppose putting salt in your coffee could technically be a prank. I haven’t engaged in the shenanigans at the Ranch. So, I guess I could have asked you if you’ve been involved in the receiving end. But I didn’t think of that either.”

Parting her hair down the middle, I separated the strands out and began making a set of fishtail braids. I wasn’t the most skilled hair stylist. The braids wouldn’t win awards but they would keep Charlee’s hair from potentially getting trapped in a crease of the slide or underneath her on the see-saw.

“I have been on the receiving end of pranks and shenanigans before, babygirl. But not in a while. Usually I’m involved by accident because I’m adjacent to the target.” I planted a kiss on her temple.

“I see. So all Haven had to do was run errands for you? Nothing else happened? I mean were you angry with her for messing up your coffee?” Charlee bit on her thumbnail but her face brightened a bit as I finished the first “tail”.

“No, starlet. I’m not mad at Haven. Colton texted me and let me know Haven ordered my favorite type of coffee: a dark, bold espresso that I only indulge in a few times a month. She didn’t need to do that, but it was a nice gesture. She had to run the errands I intended to do myself. It saved me time. I was able to finish a piece of furniture that someone upgraded to a rush delivery.”

“I can see the silver lining, Daddy. I understand.”

I wrapped the elastic around the second “tail”. Holding up a hand mirror, I showed Charlee how the style came out.

“Oh! I look extra pretty!” She kissed my cheek. “And nothing else happened to Haven? Repercussion wise?”

“Well, her Daddy bent her over the breakfast table and paddled her in front of me if that’s what you’re asking about.” I winked.

A look of horror passed over her features. “I never thought about getting spanked in front of someone else. I’ve witnessed it but didn’t think I’d ever be in that position.”

I hadn’t thought about how seeing someone else punished or punishing them myself might affect Charlee. “Colton is a very good Daddy and consent is important to him. He would never cross one of her hard limits, starlet. Besides, I’ve seen a lot of red bottoms in my life from either my hand or someone else’s. Does that bother you?”

“Yes, it bothers me! I don’t want to be spanked in front of my friends. Not ever.”

“Okay, starlet. I hear you. Are you upset that I watched Haven get punished physically?” It was important to find out which part was bothering my girl.

“No, Daddy. I’m upset because I can’t imagine the same scenario happening to me. Are you going to spank me for stretching the truth when you asked me a question?”

“Thank you, babygirl for telling me your concerns. No, you’re not going to be spanked right now. Come with me,” I said, holding my hand out to her. She slipped her hand into mine, interlacing our fingers. “Good girl.”

“I don’t feel like a good girl since you’re leading me to a punishment,” she mumbled under her breath.

“You are always a good girl even when you’re naughty.” I turned into the bathroom and flipped on the light. Locating a new bar of soap along with a special knife, I set both objects on the counter. Taking my time, I let Charlee squirm as I unwrapped the bar enough to cut a slice and smooth the edges.

“I did not lie, Daddy. Why are you going to put soap in my mouth?”

“I thought we already had this conversation, starlet. When Daddy asked you if you knew why Haven added salt to my coffee, what did you answer?”

“Oh, okay. I kinda lied.”

“Your answer?”

“I said I didn’t know at all, but the two of us talked the other day. She’s been lending me her hands for some stage crew stuff since she took this semester off from classes. Haven sees you a lot. She, um, said she was pretty sure you’d be okay with a prank. I sure didn’t mean it like that, Daddy. But I’m acknowledging I was wrong.”

I finished shaping the soap and ran it under the faucet. “Thank you, sweetheart. Since you didn’t mean to, you won’t be getting spanked afterward. Open your mouth.” Charlee frowned deeply but popped open her mouth. I placed the soap disc in between her cheek and gum. “Close.”

She obeyed, still frowning. Her eyes watered as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. I stood behind her, keeping my hands on her shoulders.

“Listen carefully to Daddy. I’m going to say this as many times as I need to get this through your head. Even when you’re naughty, you’re still my good little… sorry.” I cleared my throat. “I apologize. I know that word is a limit. You’re my good girl. My starlet.”

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