“You’re very pretty, too.” Pink blossoms on Isabella’s cheeks, making her look even more like a doll than before. “I like your hair.”
“Such a polite Little one, too. Thank you, sweet girl. I like your hair, too. Did your Daddy curl it for you?”
“Uh-huh.”
“He did a very good job.” Cat’s lips twitch with obvious amusement. “He could give your Uncle Jasper some lessons.”
“Who’s Uncle Jasper?”
Now Cat grins. “Has your Daddy not told you about your uncles yet? Naughty Daddy.”
Isabella’s high, sweet giggle fills the air. “Naughty Daddy.”
“I suppose I am.” I tap her nose, earning me another of those precious giggles. “Would you like to know about your new family, little doll?”
At the word “family”, her face falls, her bottom lip trembling. “My family is back home. In Pennsylvania.”
Her mother and father, she means, though from what I’ve learned over the past few months they aren’t very involved in her life. Other than a stilted fifteen-minute phone call home once a week, she barely has any contact with them. And they’ve never bothered to come see her dance.
I have, though. So many times. And she’s brilliant.
“Your parents will always be your first family,” I say as gently as I can manage, though what I’m feeling toward her parents right now is anything but gentle. “But now you have a new family. Your Auntie Cat and your uncles, who I’m sure will spoil you every chance they get.”
Isabella’s eyes narrow, and a familiar excitement rushes through my veins. A quick glance at Catharina shows that same anticipation in her eyes. Is my Little girl about to earn her first public punishment?
“What if I don’twanta new family?”
“I’m afraid you don’t have much of a choice in the matter, little one.” Still keeping my voice somewhat gentle, I put just enough steel behind the words to let her know this isn’t up for debate. “They’re all very excited to get to meet you, so I expect you to be on your best behavior when they come over. Am I making myself clear, Isabella?”
I watch with bated breath as the struggle plays out over her face. Will she be a good girl and submit? Or will she give me a reason to put her over my knee while her Auntie Cat watches on?
After a long, tense moment, her expression shifts, all the defiance draining from her with a sigh. “Yes, Daddy.”
It’s almost disappointing that I won’t have an excuse to spank her, but I do appreciate her obedience, so I reward her with a smile and a kiss to her temple. “Good girl. Now, would you like to hear about your uncles and their Little girls?”
“Yes, please.”
“Well, to start with, there’s your Uncle Max and his Little one, Victoria. She’s been on the island the longest, and I think you two will get along very well. Your Uncle Max is my oldest friend. We grew up together, went to school together. Our families often even went on vacations together.”
Leaning back against the couch, Cat chuckles. “What your Daddyisn’ttelling you is that your Uncle Max is very strict. He does not put up with any nonsense, and he won’t hesitate to put a naughty Little girl over his knee if he thinks she deserves it.”
Isabella gasps, horror filling her wide eyes. “You wouldn’t let him spank me though, right?”
“I absolutely would. In fact, all of your uncles and your Auntie Cat have my permission to spank you if the situation calls for it. The same goes for all the grown-ups in my household. And if you have to be punished by anyone else, you will receive another spanking from me at bedtime. So I suggest you remain on your best behavior, even when Daddy isn’t around.”
“But…” Bottom lip trembling, tears glistening on her lashes, Isabella looks the very picture of a worried Little girl. “I don’t want anyone else to spank me!”
A fierce possessiveness I’ve never felt before takes hold in my chest, sharp claws embedding themselves into my heart. The knowledge that my Little girl only wants me and no one else but me is… intoxicating.
Still, she needs to know her place. And should she misbehave when she is under someone else’s care, that place will be over their knee. “Then behave yourself for your auntie and your uncles and it won’t be a problem.”
“Y-yes, Daddy,” she says quietly, with a pitiful sniffle that tugs at my heart.
“My poor little doll.” Pulling her close, I press a kiss to her carefully curled hair. “This is a lot of information to take in all at once, isn’t it?”
“Uh-huh.”
Eyes bright, Cat leans down to open her purse. “Would you like another bottle while your Daddy finishes telling you about our family?”
