Chapter 22

Les

He wassure he'd heard her wrong. He had to have. Just to be sure, though, he needed clarification.

"I'm sorry, little one. What did you say?"

"I"—Rae-Rae clasped her hands behind her back and dug her tennis-shoe-covered toes into the wood chips at her feet—"I, um, it's just..." She seemed to be awfully tongue tied for someone who was so sassy only a moment ago. "It's a Taylor Swift song, Daddy. I didn't um.... shoot, I kinda did but not...." She took a shaky breath and ended with, "Oh, boy."

"‘Oh boy' is right." Les held out his hand, "Come with me, Rae-Rae. I want to show you a few things about this ‘harmless' prank."

To her credit, Rae-Rae didn't hesitate. Even knowing she'd put her foot in it, she still trusted him enough to know he'd never hurt her. He was glad for that. Her bottom wouldn't be so happy when this was all said and done, but he still found comfort in her trust.

Les led her into the main building and continued until they reached the cafeteria. The room was a chaotic cacophony of Littles. Some cried and were being comforted, some laughed and sang the lyrics that had been playing and still others were hiding under tables with staff or their Bigs trying to coax them out.

Rae-Rae looked around in horror and Les hurried to explain. "There is a reason music doesn't play in common areas here. Especially as loudly as you and your friends played it. A lot of the Littles who visit or live here have sensory sensitivities. Loud noises, a lot of blaring lights, too many people in too small of a space, these things can cause them pain. They can cause panic and fear and confusion. When the music blared through the Ranch like it did, it wasn't a pleasant experience for everyone."

Just to make sure she didn't dwell too much on the harm it had caused, he made sure to point out those who appreciated her prank too.

"They loved it as you can see. They're dancing and singing and having a great time. I know you thought that was how it would be for everyone but that's not always the case. No prank is completely harmless, at least, I haven't seen one that is."

"I didn't..."

Les cupped Rae-Rae's cheek. "I know, little one. It was just a fun game."

He began leading her back down the hall, asking as he went, "Who got the ladder?"

"Oh, um..." She gave him a look then turned her face away, "I can't..."

"That's okay, I have a question you can answer." Les stopped and looked her in the eye. "Did you climb it?"

He could tell by the blush that stained her cheeks that she had indeed climbed the ladder. However, he waited patiently for Rae-Rae to admit it.

"I, um, needed to be taller so I could put the picture on the camera."

"And did it ever occur to you that climbing a wobbly, rusted ladder might not be the safest thing for you to do?"

"I didn't really. Okay yes, I did notice it was a bit worn out. But really, there were two people holding it, and I was really, super careful."

"Being on that death trap at all is the furthest thing from careful. Travis had thrown the ladder out because it was unfit to be used. By anyone."

"But, nothing bad happened."

"And if it had?"

"But it didn't."

"Because you were lucky." As they approached the door to their room, Les took out the key card and cracked the door open before turning back to Rae-Rae and saying, "It seems, though, that your luck has run out."

Raelynn

Holy hot sticks,she'd really done it this time. They hadn't meant to upset anyone. They all thought everyone would have a good laugh and that would be it. She knew she'd get in trouble for breaking into staff only areas but oddly enough, that wasn't what this punishment was going to be about. No, they hadn't considered the big picture when deciding on the prank and, honestly, she felt really bad about it.

Guilt was a heavy weight as she pictured the scene in the cafeteria, those poor Littles. She really hadn't wanted to harm them in any way, but she had. Daddy was also right about the ladder. She could have really been hurt. It didn't matter that she hadn't been. If something had happened to her, there would have been no one to run the shelter next week. Then what would those women who depended on her for help do?

Raelynn turned to Daddy, clasped her hands in front of herself and looked Daddy in the eyes when she said, "I was naughty. I didn't think about what I was doing and how it might hurt people, even myself. I know I deserve what's coming to me. I also need it."

"I know, Rae-Rae. Now that you've considered everything, you're beginning to feel guilty, aren't you?"

Raelynn nodded her head and waited for her Daddy to speak. Whatever he had in mind, he'd let her know. Eventually. For the moment, she didn't want to make things worse like she had with her whole calm down statement earlier.

"Strip," he finally said, and Raelynn had a moment of hesitation.

She wasn't sure what was about to happen. That made it all the more exciting, though, so it didn't take long before she was removing her clothes piece by piece. She watched Daddy watching her, a light in his eyes that was part desire and part something she couldn't read.

When Raelynn stood before Daddy completely naked and vulnerable, she felt the rush of desire like a blow. She was completely bared to him, physically and emotionally. It was a connection stronger than she'd felt in a very long time.

Daddy approached her with a long black cloth in his hands. He circled her a couple of times, just taking her in before he instructed, "Close your eyes, babygirl."

She did as he'd told her while he made his way behind her. She felt the cloth cover her eyes and a shiver ran through her, excitement for the unknown rising higher and higher with each passing second.

Suddenly Daddy's voice was in her ear, quietly asking, "How does one teach a Little masochist a lesson? Hmm?"

Raelynn didn't answer, knowing one wasn't required. Daddy's finger trailed along her bare skin, letting her know he still circled her.

"You make such a pretty picture standing there naked and blindfolded. The possibilities are endless, aren't they?" Daddy's finger paused its movement, resting on her back as he continued his musings, "I can't spank you"—he emphasized his words with a sharp smack to her ass, making her moan—"you'd only enjoy that." Daddy's finger began circling again in that light touch that was driving her mad with anticipation, until he reached her front, gliding the finger higher until it rested on the tip of her nose, "Corner time," he said as he tapped her nose, "is a bit boring for such an offense."

She sensed Daddy backing away some and could clearly see him in her mind's eye standing with hands on his hips.

"Lines won't work, I think, since you really need to learn and release the guilt. You need something that will make an impact." She heard things rustle around and she wondered what he was doing, but before she had time to guess, he was done and took her hand. "Come with me, I'll help you into position."

Raelynn took Daddy's hand with no hesitation. If she knew anything, it was that Les would never truly hurt her, no matter what punishment he'd finally deemed fit. They'd discussed things that were still possible and things that had changed in the last twenty years. He'd never do anything she wasn't okay with.

He led her a few steps until she felt her knees hit what she assumed was a mattress, then helped her climb onto the bed. With Daddy's directions, she moved into the exact spot he wanted her.

"Lay flat on your belly and spread your arms and legs until you form an X."

She did exactly as told, her breathing speeding up at the thought of being so open for him. It wasn't until she felt the cloth restraints being fastened to all of her limbs that her arousal began dripping from her core.