Page 12 of Daddy's Little Patient

He’d happily bust her butt every day and twice on Sundays if that would prove he was in this relationship for the long haul, but the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her worse than she already was. Her arms… her fingers… all those bruises. How in the hell was he supposed to proceed without accidentally hurting her more?

He had to talk to her.

But good luck doing that while she was in full-blown-frustrated Little space.

Bracing his hands on the hood of his truck, he stared at his feet. When he was sure he wasn’t about to march back in there, bend her over his hip, and set her ass on fire, he went back inside.

The storm of her tears had reduced to sniffles. Leaning into the wall with her casts flat against the drywall and her forehead pressed to her casts, she didn’t turn around, not even when he came to stand right beside her.

“I don’t care who did what in your past,” he tried. “I am not any of those guys, and I’m not walking away.”

“I can’t think straight,” she quavered. “I need to get this under control, but I can’t think. I’m so stressed… I’m sorry…”

“How can I help?” In his gut, he already knew that answer.

God, he didn’t want to hurt her.

He checked the time—two hours before she took her next pill.

He checked himself—calm, cool, absolutely in control.

She wanted spanking, but being a responsible Daddy Dom involved more than just giving her what she wanted. It was his job to provide what sheneeded, and right now, that wasn't physical correction. What Kelly needed, whether she knew it or not, was submission. She needed to lose control. She needed to lean on her Daddy, to feel safe and protected and cherished, no matter what. Spanking wasn't the only way he knew how to do that.

It was time she knew that too.

Cole held out his hand to Kelly, his voice low and soothing as he said, "Come with me, babygirl."

Kelly hesitated for only a moment before placing her casted hand in his. The rough texture against his palm was a stark reminder of her vulnerability. Cole's fingers closed gently around hers as he led her away from the corner and down the hall to her bedroom.

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the rumpled bedsheets and Kelly's collection of stuffed animals arranged on the dresser. Cole guided Kelly to sit on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight. He knelt before her, looking up into her tear-stained face.

"I'm going to take care of you now, baby girl," he told her. "Will you let Daddy do that?"

Kelly gave a small nod, her nose red, her eyes wide and trusting despite her earlier outburst.

A slow blush turned her face a bright pink as she realized what he was doing. Her lips parted as her breathing quickened. Hecould all but see the thoughts lighting up her eyes, wondering just how far he was about to go with her.

All the way, baby. All the way.

Cole's hands moved to the hem of her nightgown, grasping the soft fabric. "Let's get you out of these clothes, sweetheart," he said. With utmost care, he began to lift the nightgown up her body. Kelly raised her arms as best she could with the casts, allowing Cole to slip the garment over her head.

The nightgown fell away, revealing Kelly's bruised and battered body. They were healing now, which ironically made them look even worse than they had at the hospital. Brown and yellow blotches mixed with dark purple, and God, the deeply bruised diagonal line across her chest, bisecting her gorgeous little breasts where her seatbelt had protected her from flying out the front window on impact. His poor babygirl.

Leaning forward, Cole kissed the side of her hip where the bruise ended. His hands slid up her casted arms until he touched bare skin.

His lips traced a gentle path along Kelly's bruised skin, each kiss a whisper of comfort against her battered body. He paid special attention to the angry diagonal line across her chest, pressing feather-light kisses along its length. Kelly shivered under his tender ministrations, her breath catching as his lips brushed the soft swell of her breast.

"My brave girl," Cole murmured against her flesh. His hands caressed her sides, careful to avoid pressing too firmly on any tender spots. Kelly's eyes fluttered closed as she surrendered to his gentle touch.

Cole continued his reverent exploration of her injuries, kissing each bruise and scrape as if he could heal them through sheer force of will. When he reached her collarbone, he nuzzled the sensitive skin there before placing a final kiss on the tip of her nose.

"There now," he said softly, loving how already she was melting under his soft caresses. He cupped her face tenderly between his palms. "My brave, beautiful girl," he murmured, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.

Kelly's eyes fluttered closed at the gentle contact. A small shiver ran through her body, whether from the cool air on her bare skin or from Cole's touch, he wasn't sure.

"Let's get you dressed in something cozy," Cole said. He stood and went to her dresser, opening drawers until he found what he was looking for: a soft cherry red onesie. It was adult-sized but designed to make the wearer feel small and cherished.

"First, let's get you properly protected, sweetheart," he said gently, laying the onsie on the bed by her hip. He reached into the bedside drawer next and pulled out a thick adult diaper.

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