Page 14 of A Daddy of the Heart
Chapter Six
Eli shifted from one foot to another as he stood in the corner. His jeans and boxers were pooled at his feet as Willem had requested. On the outside, he might appear to be the dutiful boy that his daddy deserved but inside…his Little was still expecting that Willem would one day get fed up with the drama that came with big Eli and leave.Which is why we’re in the corner again,he scolded his Little side.Can’t you get it through your thick little head that Daddy loves us and isn’t going to toss away if something gets hard?
His Little just stuck his tongue out at him, then grew quiet as the snick of the playroom door closing warned him that said Daddy had just arrived. He wanted to curse as his Little retreated as it usually did when a punishment came their way. He wanted to stomp his own foot. Why did his Little get to hide and leave the adult Eli to deal with the consequences of their actions? Maybe it was because he’d always been super protective of his Little side. Who knew? But now wasn’t the time to be all philosophical and shit. Not when it was time for Daddy to remind him why Willem was in charge and Eli wasn’t.
He waited for Willem to speak, the silence a bit unnerving, especially when the man stepped close enough to invade his personal space. More than anything, he wanted to lean back against his Daddy but he knew, at this juncture, he hadn’t earned that right. He’d been wrong to give his Daddy the option to be free of the day-to-day chaos of raising Reed’s kids. It had hurt his lover. It hadn’t been his intention, but he’d been scared that Willem was only staying because of duty. His Daddy took his role as Eli’s Daddy very seriously.
“Have you been thinking, boy?”
Willem’s question, whispered so close to Eli’s ear, sent shivers down his spine, even as he nodded. “Yes, Daddy.”
“And what conclusion have you come to?”
Eli bit his lower lip. “I shouldn’t have offered to move into town with the kids.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. At least not without me.” Willem’s hands glided down Eli’s arms. “If you want to live in town, where the kids will be more comfortable with their own things, we can do that.”
“But your house, Daddy –”
“Will still be here.” Willem assured him, his fingers tangling with Eli’s even as his body pressed closer to him. “What’s important is that you and the kids are happy.” He drew in a deep sigh. “It hurts, Eli, when your insecurities make you doubt that I’d ever be happy without you.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy.” Tears that had been building all morning burst free to spill down his cheeks. “I don’t wanna hurt you. You’re my Daddy…and I love you.”
“Shhhh.” Willem pulled him back against his body. His arms looping around Eli’s waist. “I know you love me. Just like I know that in your own misguided way, you were giving me a way out of what seems like a scary situation to you. Am I close?”
“Yeah. You’re right - it is scary.” He hung his head. “What do I know about raising kids? I’ve always been the fun uncle. I can color and play with them. I can make cookies, tuck them in and read books, but I don’t have a clue how to discipline them, Daddy.” All the insecurities that had been building since he’d found out about his brother’s death spilled out in a rush.
“Well, it’s a good thing that you have me.” He pressed a kiss to Eli’s shoulder. “I know how to keep children in line. I know how to punish without harming. While it will be different with Raelynn and Jeremy, my reasoning will always be the same as it is with you. Do you remember why I punish you?”
Eli nodded, the tears still flowing. “Because you want me to be the best boy I can be.”
“That’s right. Just like I want the kids to grow up and be the best adults they can be. I love your niece and nephew – almost as much as I love their uncle. It would kill me to have you move out and then only see you occasionally.”
“I know.” Eli bit down hard on the inside of his cheek. “I don’t know why I keep doing this, daddy. Trying to sabotage what we have. It’s just…”
“Just what?” Willem rested his head against Eli’s shoulder.
“My Little keeps waiting for you to leave, no matter how much you reassure him that you’re not going to abandon us.”
“Ah…” There was a wealth of understanding in Willem’s tone. “…then I guess it’s the Little who needs a firm reminder that Daddies don’t leave their Littles.”
“How do we do that?” Eli wanted to turn around and face his Daddy, but the firm hold the man had on him, kept him where Willem wanted him. “He hides every time we get in trouble.”
“Let Daddy decide how to go about that.” Willem pressed another kiss against Eli’s shoulder. “But for now, I think that Daddy’s boy needs a maintenance spanking.”
A shudder shook Eli. How did Daddy know him so well? “Yes, Daddy.” He waited for Willem to release him, then headed toward the converted changing table in the corner of the room. Its sole purpose was for punishments, by allowing Eli a comfortable place to rest while his Daddy disciplined him.
“No,” Willem’s tone was firm. “Kick off the pants, and follow me, boy.”
Surprised, Eli obeyed. What was his Daddy up to?
Willem sank into the large armless glider that he often rocked Eli in. “Over my legs, boy.”
Unease tugged at Eli. Other than the one time in the barn, when Daddy had caught him climbing a ladder unattended, had Willem actually put him over his knee. “Daddy?”
Willem stared at him patiently. “Do you have a question?”
“I…” He licked his lower lip. “…why?” He turned to look at the changing station.
