There he held her while she continued to cry until she eventually fell asleep, safe in her Daddy’s arms.
Chapter Fifteen
Sydney
The first thing Sydney became aware of was the steady thump of Levi’s heartbeat beneath her cheek. The second was the weight of his arm, strong and warm, wrapped around her, holding her as if he’d never let go. She blinked slowly, her lashes damp, her body sore in that way that reminded her of everything that had happened.
The spanking.
The tears.
The storm inside her that had finally quieted enough to let sleep take her under.
And now… now she was waking. Safe in his arms.
Levi felt her stir and tightened his hold just a little, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. His voice was low, rough with emotion but steady. “Hey there, little miss. You’re awake.”
Sydney swallowed hard, her throat dry, her heart still tender after the intense scene she’d shared with him. “Daddy?” she whispered, as if checking if he was really there.
“I’m right here, babygirl.” He brushed her hair back from her face, his thumb gentle as it traced along her cheek. “You gave me quite the scare, you know that?”
A fresh wave of guilt washed over her, and she tried to pull away, but Levi wouldn’t let her.
“No, none of that,” he said softly, rocking her a little. “It’s all over now, you’ve had your punishment. All’s forgiven, okay? My brave girl. My precious little one.”
Her breath hitched at that, and she realized, beneath the ache of regret, beneath the relief, was that other feeling. The one that had flickered to life during her punishment and hadn’t quite gone out, even as sleep claimed her. Her body still hummed with it, that deep, aching need she didn’t know how to ask for.
Her Daddy felt it. Of course he did. The way she squirmed a bit against him, the way her breath came faster when his hand stroked down her back. He smiled softly, tipping her chin up so he could see those beautiful, vulnerable eyes.
“That spanking worked you up, didn’t it, baby?” His tone was gentle, no teasing, just understanding.
Her cheeks flamed. She bit her lip, nodding the smallest bit.
Levi kissed the tip of her nose. “That’s nothing to be ashamed of. Your body’s allowed to feel what it feels. And I’m so proud of you. You took your punishment like such a good girl, Sydney.”
A soft whimper escaped her, need mingling with embarrassment, with the overwhelming safety of being here, in his arms.
“But tonight’s not about that, babygirl. Not yet.” He eased her back just enough to pull the blankets around her more snugly, tucking her in. “Tonight’s about helping that heart of yours feel better. About making sure you know you’re safe. Tomorrow, if that beautiful body of yours is still aching for Daddy’s touch, I’ll help you with that too. You have my promise.”
She let out a shaky breath, tears welling again, but this time from the tenderness, from how she felt seen.
Levi settled beside her, his hand stroking over her hip through the soft fabric of his pants. His voice dropped low,steady and sure. “Now, little miss, I need you to tell me. No more hiding, no more fear. Why were you at Nanny J’s office so late? And what did you hear?”
Sydney hesitated, biting her lip. But his warm hand, his calm voice, his steady presence coaxed the truth out.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I really didn’t. I just… I felt so mixed up after our date last night. I didn’t know what to do, so I thought maybe Nanny J could help me get an appointment with Doctor Denton. But when I got close, I heard you. I couldn’t move. And I heard you say… about Greg, and his threats.”
Her voice cracked on the last words, her eyes brimming.
Levi’s hand clenched. He gathered her close again, his hand cradling the back of her head. “Oh, baby, I’m sorry. That must have frightened you so much, hearing about that mean old man, and everything he wants to do. I should have paid better attention. You don’t need to know all these things. I’m supposed to be protecting you.”
Sydney sniffled, her hands fisting in his shirt. “But you are protecting me. It’s not your fault, I’m struggling so much with my emotions. I can’t figure out what I want. Which is why I was there to begin with.”
Sydney felt the warmth of Levi’s hands as he cupped her face, his thumbs brushing gently at the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. His touch was so steady, so sure, as if he could hold all the broken pieces of her together.
“Oh, baby,” he murmured, his voice deep and soft, filling up all the empty, aching spaces inside her. “It’s okay to feel mixed up. It’s okay not to have all the answers yet. What matters is that you’re trying. That you’re here, letting me help. Letting us help.”
His words sank deep, and Sydney shivered — not from cold, but from the way they loosened the tight knots of shame and fear that had twisted inside her for so long. She wanted so badly to believe him. To let herself fall into the safety he offered.
