Page 27 of Small Town Daddy

"I forgive myself," he said.

"I forgive myself," I echoed, feeling a lump forming in my throat. The weight of those words settled deep within me.

He continued the pattern, each light spank followed by an affirmation. With each repetition, the rhythm became almost hypnotic. "I am worthy of love," he said, his voice steady.

"I am worthy of love," I whispered, emotion thick in my voice.

As we continued, I became acutely aware of the intimacy of the moment. The heat of his body against mine, the way his hand lingered a fraction longer after each touch. My senses heightened; I could smell the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the aroma of burning wood. The fabric of my jeans seemed too thin, every nerve ending attuned to his slightest movement.

"You're doing so well," he praised softly. His fingers brushed against my lower back in a gentle caress, sending a ripple of warmth through me.

A soft sigh escaped my lips. "Thank you," I murmured.

He delivered another light spank, this time his hand sliding ever so slightly after the impact. "Let go of the guilt," he said. "Embrace the peace you deserve."

"I will," I replied, closing my eyes. A single tear slipped down my cheek, not from pain but from the overwhelming mix of relief and vulnerability.

“This isn’t punishment. This is forgiveness.” His hand rested on me, the warmth radiating through my body. "How do you feel?" he asked gently.

"Better," I admitted. "Lighter."

He smiled, though I couldn't see it. I could hear it in his voice. "Good."

There was a pause, and then he said, "You're so strong, Lucy. Stronger than you realize."

I felt a surge of emotion and turned my head slightly to look back at him. Our eyes met, and the intensity in his gaze took my breath away. "I don't always feel that way," I confessed.

He reached up to brush a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering near my cheek. "It's okay to lean on someone," he said softly. "You don't have to carry everything alone."

My heart swelled at his words. "Thank you," I whispered.

He helped me sit up, his hands steadying me as I moved to face him. I remained on his lap, our proximity suddenly making me acutely aware of the rising intimacy between us. My hands rested on his shoulders, his strong frame solid beneath my touch.

"Marcus," I began, searching for the right words. "I . . . I can't tell you how much this means to me."

He lifted a hand to cup my cheek, his thumb gently wiping away a stray tear. "You don't have to thank me," he said. "I'm here for you. Always."

I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes for a moment. The warmth of his palm against my skin was comforting, a safe harbor in the storm of my emotions.

When I opened my eyes, I found him gazing at me with a tenderness that made my heart skip a beat. Without thinking, I tilted my head slightly, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

He hesitated, his eyes flickering to my lips and back. "Is this okay?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," I breathed.

Slowly, he closed the distance between us. His lips brushed against mine, soft and tentative. A spark ignited within me, a gentle warmth that spread from my lips to the very core of my being. I returned the kiss, allowing myself to sink into the sensation.

His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair as the kiss deepened ever so slightly. It wasn'thurried or forceful—just a tender connection that spoke volumes without words.

When we finally parted, both of us were slightly breathless. I rested my forehead against his, our noses nearly touching. "I didn't expect that," I admitted with a shy smile.

"Neither did I," he replied, his eyes shining with affection.

We sat there for a moment, wrapped up in each other. The outside world faded away, leaving just the two of us in the soft glow of the firelight.

"How do you feel now?" he asked gently, his thumb tracing small circles on my back.

I considered his question, taking stock of the myriad emotions swirling within me. "Hopeful," I said finally. "And . . . happy."

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