Page 18 of Protect Me Daddy

"You're safe, Tilly. I've got you," Dwight murmured as he delivered the final swat.

I lay there, draped over his lap, sniffling. His hand moved in comforting patterns across my back.

"All done, sweetheart. You took that so bravely," he praised.

Gently, Dwight helped me sit up and pulled me into his arms. I burrowed against his chest, inhaling his familiar scent.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice soft with concern.

"I . . . I'm okay," I whispered. "It wasn't really about the spanking, was it?"

Dwight's arms tightened around me. "No, little one. It was about reminding you that your safety matters. That you matter."

I nodded against his shirt, feeling small and protected. "I'm sorry I scared you, Daddy."

"I know, princess. You're forgiven," he assured me. "Can you tell me what you're thinking right now?"

I paused, trying to sort through the tangle of emotions. "I feel . . . safe. And happy. But also a little embarrassed that I needed this."

Dwight tilted my chin up, his eyes meeting mine. "There's no shame in needing structure, Tilly. It makes you brave for accepting the help you need."

His words washed over me, soothing the last of my anxiety. I snuggled closer, feeling truly secure.

Chapter 6

Iawoke to goldenlight filtering through Dwight's pristine apartment, my body tingling with memories of yesterday.

He’d spanked me.

It had been a light spanking, just to set me right. But it had awakened something in me. Each smack had ignited fire, and I’d squirmed and wriggled with lust as he’d punished me.

Last night, of course, I’d touched myself. There was no way I could have gotten to sleep without doing so. I’d pushed fingers against my clit as I remembered how strong his palm had felt against my backside, how the pain had faded into pleasure after every smack.

But this morning, as I lay there, an ache bloomed in my chest that had nothing to do with physical desire. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was just another Sarah to him - someone to protect and heal before moving on? The thought made my stomach twist.

I padded into the kitchen, where Dwight was already making breakfast. My breath caught as I took in his powerful framemoving with quiet grace. His dark hair was endearingly messy, jaw shadowed with stubble. When he turned and smiled at me, my heart skipped.

"Morning, little one," he rumbled, voice still rough with sleep. "How'd you rest?"

"Fine," I mumbled, sliding onto a stool, trying not to blush. I couldn't meet his eyes, afraid he'd see right through me. Afraid that somehow, he’d be able to sense the quivering orgasm he’d caused in me last night. Afraid that he’d know, somehow, that I was worried I liked him more than he liked me.

Dwight set a steaming mug of coffee in front of me, brow furrowing. "Everything okay?"

I shrugged, tracing the rim of the mug. "Just thinking."

He leaned across the counter, steel blue eyes intent on my face. "About?"

My cheeks flushed. How could I admit my fears without sounding needy and insecure? I grasped for a change of subject. "Um, how's the investigation going?"

Dwight's expression turned serious as he began outlining Earl's network. The other evening, he’d taken a call from his captain, apparently, who’d told him that things were progressing nicely with the ring they were drawing around Earl’s gang. I tried to focus, I really did. But the way Dwight’s henley stretched across those broad shoulders was far too distracting. I found myself lost in imagining those strong hands on my body instead.

"Tilly?" Dwight's voice snapped me back to attention. "Did you hear what I said about Earl's latest move?"

I blinked, mortified at being caught daydreaming. "Sorry, I . . . guess I'm still waking up."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "You sure that's all it is?"

I squirmed under his scrutiny. How did he always seem to see right through me? I opened my mouth, not sure what would come out, when Dwight's cologne hit me. He'd leaned closer,reaching for the coffee pot, and the spicy scent made my head spin.

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