Alessia’s hesitant voice drew him instantly from the book in his hands. “Yes, Little mate. Do you need my attention?”
“Yes,” she answered and hurried to add, “My scrapes are okay,” when he immediately set the book aside and rose from his chair.
“Does anything else hurt?” he asked, confused by her words. He walked forward to run his hands over her arms, half comforting her, half checking on her.
“My heart hurts,” she said before blurting, “I made you mad and almost screwed things up royally when Enzo was after me.”
“I see. You scared me more than provoked my anger, Little mate, when you put yourself in danger.”
“Oh! Then if you weren’t angry, the whole situation doesn’t really matter, I guess. I still caused a problem—even if I didn’t mean to.”
“Come here, Alessia. Let me hold you and we’ll figure out how to relieve this heartache of yours.”
She nodded and took his hand. Alessia trailed slightly behind him as he led her to his favorite leather chair. Titus sat and pulled her down onto his thighs. She instantly snuggled against him, relaxing in his arms. He loved that she found solace in being close to him.
“What would make your heart less worried, Alessia?”
“I don’t know. I thought I was helping, but everything got so much worse.”
“What could you have done differently?” he asked, coaching her through considering the events without emotion. Not that he was able to remove his feelings completely from the events of the previous day. He’d never forget watching her walk away from him.
“I could have stayed out of the way and not listened to Enzo.”
“I don’t believe Enzo has your best interests at heart, Little mate. Not paying attention to what he says is probably the best response.”
Alessia nodded and looked down. “I’m sorry.”
“I accept your apology, Alessia. I hope if a next time occurs, you’ll do as I instruct rather than attempting to settle something yourself.”
“Okay.”
She sat quietly for a few minutes before meeting his gaze. Tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. “I still feel bad, Daddy. I think I need to be punished.”
Titus pulled out his handkerchief and wiped her cheeks dryas he said, “I see. What punishment do you believe you’ve earned?”
Alessia sniffed sadly. “I need a spanking. A bad girl one.”
Titus fought to keep himself from smiling. His precious mate was adorable. He would help her forgive herself, even if that required a hot bottom.
“It will have to hurt to wipe away all the bad emotions. Are you sure you want Daddy to spank you?” he asked.
“I don’t want a spanking, but I need one, Daddy,” she said. Her precious lower lip stuck out after that statement as she seemed to consider her fate.
Titus didn’t talk her out of it. Spankings were successful methods of helping a Little handle the aftermath of making poor decisions. Alessia would receive her punishment and feel instantly better, as the discomfort wiped her worries out of her thoughts.
Wrapping his hands around her waist, Titus removed her from his lap and stood Alessia on the carpet in front of him. He drew her leggings down to her calves and repeated the process with her panties. She shifted restlessly in front of him, and he would have bet a million dollars that she’d already second-guessed her request.
“Lean over my lap, Alessia,” he instructed. Normally, he would have lifted her and draped her legs. Alessia needed to submit to his care completely. If she physically had to follow his directions like this, Alessia would remember this punishment long after the redness had faded.
Slowly, she stepped to the side and leaned over his thighs. Titus guided her into position, adjusting her slightly so neither her fingertips nor toes touched the carpet. He rubbed his hand over her vulnerable bare bottom, enjoying her shiver that wiggled her cute ass.
“Good job following my directions, Little mate.”
With that praise ringing in her ears, Titus raised his hand and smacked her pale skin firmly. She gasped and jerked her torso up in reaction to the first swat. Raising his hand, Titus took a mental picture of the red handprint he’d administered. That second spank rang out in the quiet room. A flurry of punishing strokes followed as she struggled to get away.
“Daddy! I’m sorry!”
“I know you are, Little girl.” Titus didn’t slow down her punishment.
