Page 67 of I.S.O Daddy

“Jett—”

His boots came into view, and she stopped talking but didn’t look up at him. “You’re acting out and being bad,” he said. She flinched at the words. She’d often been told how bad she was growing up, even if she didn’t always feel like it was warranted. This time it was, though. He was right. She was bad. She was awful.

“I’m sorry, Jett,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes. She didn’t want to be bad.

“Hey,” he murmured, crouching slightly. “Look at me.” She wiped her cheek with the back of her hand as she shook her head. She didn’t deserve to look at him. She should just get her bag and go home.

Yeah. That’s what she should do.

He’d be better off without her and her manipulative ways. She felt terrible, but this was for the best. She was protecting him. And now that she knew she was exactly like her mother, she’d never date anyone else. She never wanted to subject anyone else to her toxic ways.

Without a word, she skirted around him, aiming for the bed where her backpack was. Maybe she should apologize for being such a nuisance and waste of time before she left. It would be easier over text but she owed him this to his face.

Turning back around, she kept her eyes on the floor. “I’m sorry I was bad. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. No, I do know. I’m just like my mother. I should be alone forever. I’m sorry, Jett. I—I shouldn’t have said any of that. And—and I should just go home. You should forget you ever met me and find a Little who isn’t bad.”

She hadn’t meant to start crying, but tears were leaking down her cheeks and she couldn’t stop herself. She turned to grab her bag, but a giant hand landed on it, pinning it to the bed.

“You’re not leaving.”

Her vision was blurry as she stared at it. She tugged on the strap, wishing he’d just let her go without a fight. But he seemed to put more pressure on it, not letting it move even an inch.

“You. Are. Not. Leaving.”

Finally, she glanced up at him, finding his face hard and jaw tense. She wanted to say something, but couldn’t seem to speak.

“Understand me? You’re not going anywhere. You’re sleeping right there tonight.” He pointed at the bed, and she gulped. “Right next to me. And if I had it my way, you’d sleep there every fucking night. You’re not going anywhere, Abbie.”

Her mouth opened and closed. But the only thing that came out in such a small voice she barely recognized it was, “But I was bad.”

His face softened, and he sat on the bed. Reaching for her, he dragged her between his legs before tucking her hair behind her ear.

“So what? You were a bit naughty, but that’s okay. I expect you to sometimes be my naughty little girl. You’re not perfect, and that’s okay.”

“My mom used to tell me I was bad,” she whispered, and understanding filled his face.

“I won’t say that again. I’m sorry.”

“You shouldn’t apologize. I’m supposed to apologize?—”

“And you will,” he said. “You’re going over my knee in a minute. But I need to make sure you’re okay first.” Her mouth fell open.

“You’re going to spank me?”

He nodded firmly. “Of course I am. What kind of Daddy would I be if I didn’t?” She just gaped at him, unable to say anything. He was seriously going to spank her? Sheesh, a bit of an overreaction.

Okay, not really. But jeez. She didn’t want to get spanked.

Or maybe she did. That was the whole reason she left the corner in the first place.

Ugh.

Gently, he tugged her forward until she was sitting on his thigh. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. “Now, why did you really leave the corner?”

“I heard something, and was going to check on you,” she mumbled, and he shook his head.

“That’s really thoughtful of you, but what were you supposed to do?” he asked gently.

“Wait until you came to get me.” She rolled the thick fabric of his jeans between her fingers, her eyes on it instead of him.

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