Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

C lutching Bowbow to her chest, Aspen stood and took a couple of steps to stand in front of Jerico. "Am I in big trouble?"

"I can't keep you safe if you lie to me, Aspen."

"I didn't really lie. I told you I had a challenging day."

"It's about to get more challenging. Lean over my lap, little girl." His tone brooked no argument.

"I don't want to get spanked."

"I know." He patted his thigh.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, obviously trying one more thing to get her out of her predicament.

"Over my lap."

Aspen set her new stuffie on the coffee table, facing her down so she wouldn't watch. Aspen didn't want Bowbow to be disappointed with her. "I'll tell you everything next time. I just wanted you to enjoy your dinner and then I was going to tell you," she repeated her excuse, hoping it would work this time.

Jerico simply patted his legs again.

Exhaling, Aspen forced herself to stretch out over his hard thighs. She covered her eyes with her hands and tried not to cry as Jerico lifted her big T-shirt to reveal her panties. Cool air wafted over her lower back and thighs, making her shiver. She felt his fingers slide into the elastic band of her underwear before tugging them over her bottom and to her knees.

She jumped when his callused hand smoothed over her bottom.

"Breathe, little girl."

Oxygen flooded into her lungs as she realized she was holding her breath. Squeezing her thighs together, she tried to gather her courage. This couldn't be so bad. Those Littles in her stories always fussed and complained, but it couldn't really hurt, right?

"From now on, you will tell me immediately if something happens that scares you. You will not hope it goes away or worry about your job. Nothing is worth being hurt or worse. You are not alone any longer."

Without a warning, his hand lifted and dropped onto her bottom. The sting made her head and torso rear up, but Jerico held her in place with his forearm. The swats came fast. That sting quickly became heat that spread over her bottom as he alternated targets—her butt, her upper thighs, even the sensitive spot where those two met.

Aspen kicked her legs, trying to get away or make him stop. Jerico looped one leg around her calves to control her. She reached back with her hands to shield herself, but he caught her wrists and pinned them to her back.

"Jerico! Let me go."

"Daddy," he corrected her, never ceasing to pepper her delicate skin with spanks.

"You're hurting me."

His hand halted, pressed to her skin. "Say red, little girl. That will tell me you aren't willing to take my correction."

"I just don't want to be spanked," she wailed.

"Most little girls don't want to be spanked, Aspen. You made bad choices today. You get a chance to do better now. Do you want to have those bad choices erased by being punished and trust that as your daddy, I am not going to give you more than you can handle? Or is this bigger than just a spanking and you're not ready to be my Little?"

She shook her head immediately. Her bottom burned, but there was no awful pain. He was making sure she'd remember this, but wasn't bruising or hurting her.

"I don't know what that means, little girl. Use your words."

Words tumbled from her mouth in a jumble. "I want to be your Little more than anything."

"Do you deserve this spanking?"

Seconds ticked by as she battled herself. Finally, she admitted, "I do."

"Ten more swats and your punishment will be finished, baby."

Slowly, she relaxed back over his lap. Jerico didn't make her wait. Quickly, he delivered the last of her spanking. He rubbed a hand over her red bottom to soothe the skin.

"I'm sorry, Daddy."

"I know you are. Come here. Let me hold you."

Jerico lifted her from his lap and turned her gently. Setting her warm bottom on his thigh, he gathered her close and slowly rocked her. Aspen turned to wrap her arms around his neck. Holding on tightly, she pressed her lips to his shoulder.

"You did very well, Aspen. I'm proud of you."

"I freaked out," she whispered, pushing away his praise.

"It's okay to ask for a break, little girl. You didn't run away. You didn't deny that you'd done something wrong."

"Is everything okay now?" she asked.

"Between us? Absolutely. Are you safe now? You will be safer after we visit HR tomorrow and share the information like the guard at the gate requested."

"Do you think they'll fire me?"

"No. There are guards at the gate for a reason. They'd only fire you if you were putting the people inside the base in danger. By telling them, you're helping make everyone safer," Jerico assured her.

"Oh! I didn't look at it like that."

"I know. Now, let's get your face washed and go play in your nursery until it's time to go to sleep. What do you think Bowbow would like to do?"

Aspen felt her lips curve in a smile. She was amazed to find that she felt better than she had all day. Trying to hide information from him had almost made her ill. She sent a wave of gratitude toward Zale to erase the mean thoughts she'd sent his way earlier.

"A puzzle," Aspen answered, focusing back on Jerico.

"Then we'll do a puzzle. First, Daddy needs a kiss to bolster his bravery. I was scared you'd changed your mind about being my little girl."

Aspen puckered her lips and tilted her head up to receive a kiss. When Jerico didn't press his mouth to hers, she opened one eye to peek at him. Enchanted by her cuteness, Jerico clarified, "I'd like a kiss from you, little girl."

"Oh!"

She nodded and threaded her fingertips through his military short hair to draw his face down to hers. Stretching upward, Aspen pressed her lips against his before sliding the tip of her tongue over the soft inside edges of his mouth. When Jerico opened his mouth in response to her sensual request, she swept her tongue inside to tangle with his. Instant heat flared between them.

He pulled her close and stroked a hand down her spine to cup her bare bottom. Squeezing the still warm flesh, he reminded her of the punishment and hoped she'd link pleasure with the lingering sting. Instantly, he felt her squeeze her thighs together.

Jerico slid his hand to grip her leg as they exchanged kisses. His thumb stroked her inner thigh and he felt her muscles squeeze again. Lifting his mouth from hers, he directed, "Spread your legs, Aspen."

She stared back at him like a deer in headlights. When he held her gaze steadily, she slowly moved her legs apart slightly.

"More, little girl."

He shifted his hand to trail his fingers over her mound. Aspen responded by widening the gap eagerly. Tracing the cleft of her pussy, Jerico could feel how wet she was.

"Perhaps you need a reward because you've been so brave?"

She nodded eagerly.

Charmed, he captured her lips to kiss her as he explored her intimately with his fingers. Remembering where she enjoyed being touched most, Jerico coaxed her toward pleasure. Building on her arousal, he traced her inner labia. Her squirms helped direct him. He loved the clues she gave him—the soft gasps, the wiggles, the gush of juices.

"Daddy thinks his little girl needs to come. Can you do that for me?" he asked as he pressed two fingers deep inside her wet channel.

"Yes, Daddy. Help me, please."

"Always, baby."

He rotated his hand to brush his thumb over her clit on each inward stroke. Jerico could feel small contractions of the muscles around his fingers. He sped up his caresses, driving her closer and closer to a climax. She froze with an adorable look of concentration on her face.

"Ahhhh!" she moaned into the room as her body clamped around his fingers and she trembled.

"Good girl. So responsive. You look beautiful when you come on Daddy's fingers."

She slumped against his chest, letting his strength support her as Jerico slowed his touch. When he finally withdrew his fingers, Jerico lifted his hand to his mouth as she stared in fascination. Her eyes drooped as she watched him savor the juices coating his skin.

"My favorite flavor," he shared. "I plan to taste you often."

"Daddy," she whispered as her cheeks turned a rosy blush.

"Daddies need treats, too," he teased and laughed as she turned her face toward his neck to hide her embarrassment. She would learn that nothing was off the table between them. He planned to enjoy her in many ways.

"Want to go work on your puzzle now?" he asked, giving her a reprieve.

She nodded eagerly.