Page 17 of Tizzy's Little Thanksgiving

She licked her lips and nodded. “I guess so.”

Her earlier bravado had faded. She looked fragile somehow, like a Little girl, just waiting for direction.

“Have you… have you ever had a Daddy?” His logical self knew the answer wasn’t important. She was twenty-five, a gorgeous, successful woman. She’d had boyfriends. He’d met a few of them, but none who seemed too significant. None who had really lasted beyond the initial butterflies phase. The dating didn’t bother him, but if she’d had a Daddy… if one of those men had touched her in that way… he might just have to hunt them down and kill them.

Thankfully, she shook her head. “I-I had some who tried, but”—she shook her head again—“they didn’t get it. It wasn’t real. It was just a game to them. A sex thing.”

He drew a deep steadying breath when she saidsexand had to work to keep from clenching his hands into fists at his sides.

Instead, he reached for her hand, and took it in his, bypassing an oversized armchair and its matching ottoman to lead her to a very comfortable-looking leather couch that stood in front of an electric fireplace.

Sitting, he pulled her down beside him, just close enough that his thigh grazed hers. He might not know much about being a Daddy, but he’d spent enough years getting his education to know that in order to learn, one had to research. And the only way to know which subjects needed more in-depth study was to start with the basics.

Softly stroking his thumb over her fingers, he waited until she looked up to meet his gaze. “What does having a Daddy mean to you, little Tizzy?”

Her eyes grew wide, and the corners of her mouth drew up into a shy smile as if she couldn’t quite believe she was being asked whatshewanted. “I dunno…”

Eddie frowned. “Don’t lie to Daddy. Something tells me you know exactly what it would mean, and you need to communicate that to me. I’m not playing around. This isn’t about sex and a couple smacks on the ass to me. I’m a dedicated person. If I’m going to do something, little Tizzy, I’m going to do it right, and I need you to tell me how to do that.”

She frowned, her button nose crinkling, and her forehead furrowing. “But… you’re supposed to be the Daddy. Daddies are supposed to be in charge.”

“And trust me, I will be, but you have input here. So tell me what it means to you. I’m not going to ask again.” He made sure to put a firmness in his voice that would tell her he wasn’t messing around, and it must have worked because her already wide eyes opened wider. Her eyes were one of her best features. They weren’t brown or green, but a shade in between the two. And with the light coming from the window catching tiny golden specs sprinkled within their depths, he was mesmerized. Thick, long lashes fluttered as she blinked and he instantly wondered how soft they’d be against his skin if she placed a butterfly kiss on his cheek. His smile at the thought seemed to relax his Tizzy as she took a breath and the fingers he was still stroking softened their grip on his hand.

“I-I like that you gave me a nickname. I mean… I’ve always hated that you called me Tizzy, but… I like… you… um…” she trailed off.

“You like that I addedlittleto it?”

She nodded.

“Okay. That’s a start. A Daddy should have lots of sweet nicknames and terms of endearment for his Little girl. What else?”

She heaved a sigh, and met his eyes, and he could see a bit of her strong will poking through. “Rules. Outside of work… I’m kind of a mess. I try to be scheduled and organized and do the things and be at the places, but I lose track of time or forget what I’m doing, and it’s okay, like I’m used to it, and at home, it’s not really a big deal, but…”

She gulped, and he could see the shimmer of tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

“I really don’t want to mess up Georgie’s wedding. There’s gonna be all these important parties and fittings, and events, and things I need to be on time for and I know she would forgive me, but I’m the maid of honor. That’s, like, a big deal! And I don’t wanna mess anything up.”

“You won’t.” He squeezed her hand, and spoke encouragingly, but he could tell she didn’t quite believe him. “Your Daddy will make sure of it,” he added, speaking with a firm conviction.

He saw the relief as her whole body seemed to deflate from the tension she’d been holding. “We will talk about rules, and those rules will include going over the schedule of wedding-related events and parties, but having a Daddy isn’t all just about rules and consequences, now is it?”

Tizzy shook her head. “No, I guess not. A Daddy…” She paused and seemed to gather the courage for the things she wanted to say out loud.

He’d never seen her quite so timid, and it broke his heart. “Go on,” he encouraged, “A Daddy…”

“A Daddy is patient. And loving. And likes cuddles, and treats, and Disney movies and making sure his Little girl eats good food and gets lots of sleep, and…” Her eyes darted from side to side, as if searching for her train of thought before they found his again. “Can you talk now, please? I said all the things. Can it be your turn now, Daddy?”

“Yes, little one.” He could tell there was still something she was holding back, but he could also tell she didn’t feel safe enough to voice it at this point. He dropped her hand, only to grab her hips and pull her into his lap, holding her close to his chest. “How am I doing?”

She blinked quickly, obviously shocked by the sudden intimacy, but it only took a moment before she relaxed against his chest. “Good.”

“Good. Then can you tell me what you’re leaving out? And don’t say nothing, little girl, because Daddy knows that would be a lie, and if you lie to Daddy, he’ll have to wash your mouth out with soap and paddle your bottom.”

“Oh.”

“Oh indeed.” He pulled her closer, and took her chin between his fingers, pulling her gaze up to meet his. “Is that how you want to start this, on top of the spanking you’ve already got coming?”

Blush crept up her cheeks, tinging her pale skin with pink at the mention of the long-promised spanking. “No, I guess not, but… it’s embarrassing.”

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