Page 28 of Finding Little Fiera

His words chilled her to the bone. She couldn’t ever let that happen. Master Mace had no idea what he was saying. But it meant the world to her that he would take her side… be so protective… it eased something deep inside her.

Wait. What had he just said? “How did you know my last Daddy’s name was Erwin?”

Mace didn’t even blink. “You told me earlier, little firefly.”

Before she could ask him when, he shifted her on his lap to face him. “That’s enough for now. We have other things to discuss. But before we get to that, there are a few things I want you to know. First, I never use the silent treatment. Not for a day. Not for an hour. Not for a minute. Not ever. Even if you are standing in the corner, I will be there, and you can speak to me about anything that is important or bothering you. I do not punish with rejection. Do you understand?”

She understood, she just wasn’t sure she believed it. But he didn’t need to know that. So, she said, “Yes, Daddy.”

He studied her through narrowed eyes. “You don’t trust me yet, but you will.”

Maybe if they had more than a few days. Unfortunately, their time together was limited. That made her heart hurt.

“Now, second, I will never belittle you in public. Or in private, for that matter. I would never laugh at you or say things to hurt you. And I won’t let anyone else do it either. I promise to keep you safe from that. A Daddy supports his Little and buildsher up. He doesn’t tear her down or make her doubt herself. I am here to take care of you in every way I can.”

He paused. Was he waiting for her to say something? Just in case, she said, “Thank you, Daddy.”

How was it possible she already felt safe with him? Confident and steady, he would be there to stand against life’s storms for whatever Little he asked to be with him forever. Too bad it wouldn’t be her.

Chapter Ten

She was a sweetheart. Mace knew they had other things to discuss. Things that didn’t require words. But he needed to ask a few more questions before that discussion started.

“You said Erwin”—because he was not calling that asshole a Daddy ever again—“refused to spank you for punishment. But there are several reasons to spank someone. If he knew you were interested in spanking, did he ever spank you for emotional release or pleasure?” Mace figured he knew the answer, but he needed to hear her say it.

The confusion on her face made her answer unnecessary. “N-no. He didn’t spank me at all. But I wrote a lot of lines. I don’t think he paid enough attention to know when I needed emotional relief, and… well, I’m not trying to be mean, but my pleasure wasn’t something he paid much attention to either.”

No maybes about it. When he got to Wilder, he’d be having a discussion with Erwin. And that conversation wasn’t going to need too many words either.

“Daddy? I already know I’m sorry for everything I did wrong today. Do you want me to write my lines for you now?”

“Not right now.” There might come a time when he’d give her lines to write, but it wasn’t going to be tonight.

He couldn’t get over how right she felt sitting on his lap. When she moved to sit beside him instead, he put a hand on her thigh. “I like you where you are, firefly. It’s time for us to talk about this afternoon.”

She nodded, lowering her gaze to her fidgeting fingers. Adorable, but he wanted her full attention. “Eyes to me, babygirl.”

Her gaze slowly lifted to his. He didn’t like the defeat shadowing her eyes. Wishing he could coddle her and lull her to sleep after her busy day, he forced sternness into his eyes and voice. “Do you remember what I told you to do before you joined the freeze tag game earlier today?”

He could practically see the wheel turning in her mind, trying to give him an honest answer that wouldn’t get her in trouble. She wasn’t going to find one. No, his little firefly had some things to answer for.

Heaving a deep sigh, she finally answered him. “You told me to keep my sunglasses on, Daddy. I tried. I really did. But they kept sliding down my nose.”

“I can see how that would be annoying.” Hopefully, the doubt in his tone would point her to the answer he expected. He brushed her bangs to the side with gentle fingers and ran his thumb over the goose egg still evident on her forehead. “Has your headache come back?”

“No, Daddy. My head feels fine.”

He wasn’t convinced, not even close, but he let it slide. For now. “There’s still a big bump. I want you to go get Hopsicle out of the freezer and hold it to your head while we talk.”

Relief lit her face. She hopped off his lap and bolted toward the kitchen. As if unable to stop herself, she sock-skied halfway across the room. He was up and headed toward her in a second. His girl needed some serious boundaries set.

He made it to her in three long strides. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her to his hip and landed three solid swats on her backside.

She yelped and tried to cover her bottom with her free hand. “Ow! Daddy! Ow!”

“Oh, you haven’t seenowyet, babygirl. I know you did not just run and slide across the floor on your way to get a boo-boo bag for the knot on your head.”

She stared at him, and he wasn’t sure what he saw in her eyes. Shock? Absolutely. But there was more. If he had to guess, he’d say wonder? Maybe… or was that hope?