Page 35 of Cherishing Little Charlee

“Hi, starlet.” Pierce kissed my temple.

“Hi, Daddy,” I said very quietly.

“Hello, Charlee.” Master Derek removed his cowboy hat, shaking off the remaining mess.

“Hi, Master Derek. Fancy meeting you here in a place like this,” I said trying to be funny. “I’d never dump confetti and feathers on your head. Just in case you were wondering.”

“Well, darlin’. Seems like quite the prank that you meant to pull on your Daddy,” Master Derek said sternly but his eyes crinkled at the corners indicating that he wasn’t angry.

“Ah ha! Normally, I wouldn’t correct you, Master Derek. However, this was an initiation or induction into and the christening of the most hallowed of places. The Ranch theater!” I said, sweeping my arms out in a grand fashion. The motion chased away some of my nerves. “However, yes, you are correct about the initiation. The bucket itself was intended for my Daddy. Not for you. It is a tradition we do every production when someone new joins us. Pierce has been my right hand. Literally for two weeks. And of course he was already working on things before that.”

Pierce smirked, his arms crossed over his chest. “Initiation, huh?”

“Yes, Daddy.Initiation. Into the theater. Welcome!” I swept my arms out again. I hoped my theatrics saved my bottom a thrashing.

“I trust you had someone else rig the confetti, babygirl?” Pierce asked pointedly.

“Yes, Daddy. This was supposed to be a fun experience, a silly welcome. It wasn’t supposed to be something that put me in danger or broke any of your rules.”

“Very good, starlet.”

He looped his arm around my waist and pulled me into his side. The smell of his cologne calmed any remaining frayed nerves.

Master Derek winked. “I’m impressed, Charlee. The young woman I saw running around and stressed out of her mind the last production seems to have flourished into a very different version. Even on opening night when typically you’re a bundle of anxiety.”

Crap. Why’d he have to go and get me choked up with emotions? “Yes, thank you for noticing. It’s all thanks to my Daddy.”

“Don’t let her fool you, Derek. Yes, I’ve helped her follow some rules and rest her wrist, but she’s put in the work. Charlee has trusted me with her submission, allowing me to lead and guide her the past two weeks. It seems like a short amount of time, but we’ve made some solid routine changes. More self-care. Less stress,” Pierce said proudly.

“I’m thrilled for the two of you. I trust that I can walk around backstage without having any more confetti dumped onto my head?” Master Derek replaced his hat.

“Yes, Sir. There shouldn’t be any other surprises. At least not that I know of!” I let out a long breath, one I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

“All right, darlin’. Break a leg! I can’t wait to see the show.” Master Derek patted my head and slapped Pierce on the shoulder before strutting across the stage. I think he enjoyed getting caught up in the excitement buzzing before the first show.

Glancing up at Pierce, I checked to see if he was upset.

“I see those brows knitting. Don’t fret now. You have a big night, Charlee.”

“I was hoping you’d have found the initiation silly and heartwarming,” I said nuzzling against his arm.

“Yes, babygirl. That’s exactly how I feel right now. Look up at me.”

I raised my head until my eyes were on him. “Yes, Daddy?”

“Just because I’m not mad doesn’t mean I’m not going to toast your bottom when we get back to your apartment.”

“Psst,” I whispered.

He grinned and bent forward so I could reach the shell of his ear. “Yes, starlet?”

“Don’t tell my Daddy but that may have been the hope. Non-punishment spankings are very soothing,” I said matter-of-factly as if I had experience with them.

“Mmmhmm. I bet they are. But we haven’t explored those yet. Is it on your mind? Tell Daddy.”

“I think that’s pretty obvious. Duh,” I added sass into my tone while keeping my voice low. Pierce swatted my ass hard enough to make me jump. “Hey! Someone could see us!”

I quickly looked around to see if anyone noticed but no one was paying us any mind. My statement had been moot. I should have known that Pierce would ensure we had some semblance of privacy.

---