“She’s been acting out more, especially at school. And the other day when she called you an asshole at dinner? That’s not like her. At all.”
Leaning back, Maxwell taps a finger on the arm of his chair. “You’re right. That was rather out of character. What do you think the problem is?”
“I don’t know.” Even I can hear the frustration in my voice. “I thought we were making progress, but things are worse than they were in the beginning. Even when I first brought her to the island I didn’t have this many issues with her behavior.”
“I wonder…” Trailing off, Jasper rubs at the scruff on his chin. “Do you think it has anything to do with Juliet’s birthday trip? Maybe she’s jealous she won’t get to travel, too.”
“Maybe? She's never mentioned traveling to me, though.”
“You should talk to her about it. That was one of Juliet’s sticking points for not wanting to be my Little girl. Once I assured her we could still travel plenty, she was much more accepting. And if it’s not the travel, then it could be something else she’s missing. Performing, maybe.”
“I do know she was missing her life at the ballet not too long ago. Honestly, she seemed so sad about it, I genuinely wondered if I did the right thing, bringing her here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” With a dismissive snort, Maxwell shakes his head. “You know damn well if you hadn’t brought her here, she would have eventually given in to the pressures of the ballet and started using those drugs she used to peddle. And what about when she aged out of the corps? It’s not like she really has any other skill sets to fall back on. You saved her, Gideon, and don’t you forget it.”
Considering how cross Maxwell initially was with me for bringing Isabella to the island, his words both surprise and encourage me. “I know. I know, you’re right. It’s just difficult to see her struggling so.”
“Talk to her. And if she won’t talk, well…” A wicked smile curves Maxwell’s lips. “I’m sure you can find ways to loosen her lips.”
* * *
Gideon
After our guests leave for the evening, I take Isabella upstairs to our bedroom. Not once has she spent the night in her crib, and though I know Maxwell and Doctor D would both tell me I’m spoiling her, I can’t bring myself to start now, no matter how naughty she’s been of late.
Instead of our usual bedtime routine of a diaper change and a nightgown, however, I head straight for the bed. A look of confusion crosses my little doll’s face as I strip her down to her skin, but she doesn’t argue.
Until I take my seat on the bed and pull her down over my lap. Then she begins to squirm and whimper.
“Daddy I don’t want a spankin’!”
“Shh, little one.” I rub her bottom, doing my best to calm her before we begin. “This isn’t a punishment.”
At that, she goes still, craning her neck to look up at me. “It’s not?”
“No, baby, it’s not. At least, it’s not going to begin that way. Just be honest with Daddy and I think you might actually enjoy this spanking.”
“Honest about what?”
“About why you’ve been acting out so much. It’s clear you’re upset about something. What is it?”
A long, strained silence greets my question. I give her a silent count of ten in my head to answer before landing the first swat on her bottom.
Isabella gasps, but her skin barely turns pink, so I know it didn’t sting as badly as she’s making out. Lifting my hand, I swat her again on the opposite cheek.
For several long moments, the only sounds in the room are my hand gently smacking against her skin and Isabella’s soft gasps in response. I stop when those gasps turn to whimpers and she begins to grind her hips against my thigh.
Chuckling, I nudge her legs apart with my hand, swiping my fingers through her dripping arousal. “I knew you’d enjoy your spanking, little doll.”
With another of those sweet little whimpers, she pushes her hips back against my hand, seeking release. And for a while, I’m content to play, taking her closer and closer to the edge until she’s a trembling, needy, whimpering mess over my lap.
And then I stop.
“If you want to come, little one, you’re going to have to start talking.”
ChapterTwenty-Six
Izzy
