Page 27 of Sawyer
Only for a minute, the next time he reached in, he grabbed her foot and pulled. “You are in so much trouble, young lady.”
But even though he was angry, he pulled slowly and put his hand on the top of her head so she wouldn’t bang it getting out. So, how mad could he be?
Mad. Really, really mad. Like, furiously mad.
He grabbed her arm and marched her to the couch. Pointing to the center cushion, he said, “Sit!”
“Woof!” she said and sat down.
What was wrong with you?
She was nervous. She always got like this when she was scared.She was the poster child for mindless terror, emphasis on the mindless.
Holding both hands up in a plea for mercy, she said. “Sorry! Sorry! I can’t help it.”
He glared at her. “Don’t worry, I’m going to help it for you in just a minute.”
She pinched her lips together to stop herself from pointing out that things like that were actually the opposite of helpful.
Saul—no, her new Daddy took a few deep breaths before pulling a straightback from her small kitchen table and planting it in front of the couch. After a long pause, he said, “We had a discussion right before all hell broke loose about me becoming your Daddy. Do you remember that?”
She nodded. “Absolutely! Easiest and bestest decision ever!”
He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m glad you think so, Half-Pint. I hope you still feel that way when we finish our discussion.”
Man, he had that stern Daddy voice and scowl down pat. “I don’t suppose you crossed your arms because you’re cold.”
“You’d be right. I crossed my arms so I don’t strangle you.”
Well, she’d never seen a Daddy in one of those books say that. It probably wasn’t a good sign. She pinched her lips between her teeth again.
“Your choice made me happy. I love that you wanted to be my Little girl.”
Past tense. He said he loved, not love. “Do you not want that now? I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to be so bad. I promised I’ll never make another mistake. Never ever, if you’ll just give me another chance. I’ll?—”
He immediately moved to her. He knelt so they were at eye level, and he pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry, babygirl. I didn’t phrase that right. I still love that you want to be my Little. That is not going to change. I don’t expect you to never make a mistake.We have a way of dealing with that. A way you are going to experience in just a few minutes. But I will never stop wanting to be your Daddy just because you make a mistake.”
She sniffed, trying to keep her nose from running. “Even if I make the same mistake twice?”
“Yes, babygirl. I promise.”
“Even if I make the same mistake ten times?”
“Yes, Half-Pint. Even then.”
“Even if I make the same mistake?—”
He didn’t let her finish. “I think you get my point. I don’t expect you to be perfect. Okay?”
Whew! Hopefully, he meant that. She’d never been very good at being perfect. She pretty much sucked at it.
Returning to his seat, he leaned his elbows on his knees. “What did I tell you to do before I ran out the door, little girl?”
Her cheeks grew hot. “You said to stay in my spot on the floor.”
“I did. And what did I say would happen if you moved even an inch?”
She pretended to lock her lips with an imaginary key. “I plead the fifth.”
