“It will keep building, yes. And then it will not subside for a good long while. You’re stuck with a hot bottom for the rest of the evening, little one.”
She squirmed some more and choked on another groan. “Okay, Daddy.”
After a few minutes of watching her shift her feet and clench the bedding, he decided she’d had enough of the heating pad. He took it off, unplugged it, and gave her a few small slaps to her backside. “Come on, over to the corner with you.” He pulled her to stand, led her to the desk, and sat her down on the hardback chair, watching her try to hide the wince.
“Ow.”
“Here are paper and pencils. You will write a 1,000 word apology to Jillian and everyone involved, including yourself.” He tapped her head with the pencil. “Start with something like, ‘I am a good woman who deserves to be loved.’ Then I want you to list out your good qualities and how you can beproactive about your feelings in the future. You are a blessing to many. Put it in writing. All of it.”
She picked up the pencil and frowned. “Can’t I use a pen?”
“Naughty little girls being punished use pencils, number two, fully sharpened, with erasers. If you make a mistake, erase it. Make it look neat and tidy. Or I will paddle your little bottom and make you rewrite it. Understand?”
“Y-yes, Daddy.” The look of submission on her face nearly melted his heart. She felt safe. He could tell. So he didn’t feel too badly about his harsh punishment.
He kissed her on the forehead. “Such a good little girl. I’m proud of you and know you will put your best effort into it. I have a few more things to take care of, and then I will check on you in a while when I come to get you for dinner.”
“Jillian.” It wasn’t a question. And he sensed no animosity in her statement.
“Yes. Are you alright with this arrangement?”
“Yes, Daddy. It’s really okay. She’ll be a good mate for you.” She smiled and hugged him around his neck.
“Thanks for your blessing. Okay, get to work. I’ll see you at dinner.”
CHAPTER 18
CADE
Cade returned from the hunt for Jillian with a few wounds on his shoulder. He stayed in wolf form until he reached their door, not wanting to walk through the lodge in his flippered feet, although he realized he would have to sooner or later, unless Faye figured out how to fix them. He shifted in front of their door and grabbed the key card Faye had tucked under the floor mat.
The room blazed with heat, and the smell of Faye’s arousal made the wolf in him growl. She waited in position as instructed, her submissive pose so alluring he grew dizzy. He walked past the fire, then stopped, looking at it. No logs remained, yet flames roared in the grate. The air in the room seemed dense, and the light appeared tinged with red.
His heart leaped into his throat. Did it mean Faye was furious? Had she found her punishment unfair? Or resented being left in the middle of it, without any aftercare? Had sub-drop turned her against him?
He laid his hand on her back. “Faye?”
She shivered at his touch and turned her face to him. Hercheeks were flushed, her eyes dilated. He saw desire in her expression. The flames were for passion.
He could not suppress the growl erupting from his chest. Her eyes widened, but he saw no fear in her expression, only surprise. Her gaze traveled to the gashes on his shoulder, and she gasped, lifting her head.
“Wolf fight—it’s nothing. Lykae heal very quickly.”
“Werewolf fight?”
“No, regular wolves. They had cornered Jillian, the missing woman.”
“So you found her?”
“Yes, she’s back at the lodge now.” He reached out and stroked her hair. He wanted her desperately. But first he needed to figure out what made her leave that morning. “Listen, Faye,” he said, “I need you to tell me the truth about why you left.”
She groaned, dropping her face back into the covers.
He slapped her ass. “I’m going to spank you until you come clean.” When she said nothing, he pressed his hand into her low back and began to smack her gorgeous ass. The redness from before had faded to a light blush during the time he’d been gone, but she cried out as if she were still sore.
“Was it because of what happened in my bed?” He slapped the flesh below the butt plug.
“Yes!” she gasped.
