Page 138 of Little Sunshine

“Now imagine when I’m not taking it easy on you because, fair warning, I was. If there’s a next time, it’ll hurt worse. Depending on the infraction, you might get more of them, or they might be mixed with other punishments that you also won’t like.”

“Such as?”

“Ropes. Edging. Complete orgasm denial.”

“That’s not that bad,” she said more to herself than me.

Famous last words, little girl.

“But whatever it is, we’ll talk it through first. Handing out punishments is part of being a Daddy?—”

“Why, though?”

Since she’d done more than a two-second browse online, she likely knew the answer to that. I got the feeling she wanted my specific answer and not a generalized one.

“None of the rules are arbitrary. They serve a purpose, and usually it’s to protect someone’s safety or well-being.”

“And sitting on your lap is…”

“For my emotional well-being.”

Mila rolled her eyes, but it didn’t bother me. Even if she said yes, it wouldn’t be a rule that she couldn’t do it. It wasn’t hurting anyone.

And I liked the show of comfort in her defiance. It was better than her forcing herself to shrink because she didn’t want to be a bother.

“If you agree, these rules are to keep you or our relationship safe. I wouldn’t be a good Daddy by letting them go broken like they don’t matter because then it means protecting you and the relationship doesn’t, either. Like the praise I’ll give, it’s another way to show I care about you and what we have, that I value the trust you’ve given to me, and that I’m doing my job to protect all three.” I ran my hands along Mila’s thighs and squeezed. “Even if it’s from yourself.”

I barely finished my sentence before Mila moved suddenly. Not to push away or punch me in the dick for that last bit.

No.

Leaning up, Mila kissed me.

And sealed her fate.

Chapter 22

And Occasionally Stand Up for Yourself

MILA

In the short time I’d known Ash, he’d said a lot of sweet things. Stuff that made me feel warm. Stuff that made me feel hot. Stuff that I filed away and hoped I’d never forget because no one had ever talked to me with such nonchalant affection.

But even with all that goodness, none of it came close to what he’d just said.

At the insinuation that I was someone worth caring about…

That I was valued…

That I was worth his protection…

I’d tried to swallow past the razor blades of tenderness that eviscerated my insides and my defenses, but it’d been impossible.

So I gave in.

I kissed him.

And not just a peck. Not even a forceful but closed-mouth one.

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