Page 30 of Big Daddy Christmas
He was still standing there, trying to decide on the best course of action when his phone buzzed again. Looking down, he smiled at the picture of a very full plate of food. If she ate half of it, he’d be happy. He typed out a “Good girl” text and sent it off, then headed back to the living room. And spent the rest of the evening trying not to worry.
Chapter 2
Frankie
Either she did a much better job of hiding her nerves than usual, or everyone was too drunk and distracted to pay her any attention. Ruby and Lottie for sure were on the drunken side of the equation, with Cordelia and Ivy keeping each other occupied. Silver was just… Silver, sitting and watching quietly as she tended to, seemingly enjoying playing hostess as she sipped daintily at her wine.
Whatever the reason, it was fine with her as it meant she made it the whole night without the third degree. Still, by the time Holden showed up at Silver’s front door, Frankie’s nerves were frayed at the edges from her imagination running wild, conjuring up all the different punishments her Daddy might have in store for her when they got home. She had actually eaten most of what she’d had on her plate, which hopefully would earn her some leniency, but she wasn’t holding out much hope.
The actual ride home wasn’t much better. She couldn’t think of anything to say that wasn’t just another apology and Holden didn’t seem to have much to say either.
Until they turned onto the long driveway that led to their home. Holden’s large hand came to rest on her thigh, stopping the up and down motion of her knee that she hadn’t even noticed. “Breathe, baby. Everything’s going to be okay.”
The deep rumble of his voice helped to calm her nerves somewhat. “Sorry. It’s just, I know I messed up big time.”
“You did. But you know what?”
“What?”
Putting the car in park, he turned toward her, his handsome face illuminated by the flood lights that had turned on when they’d pulled in. “I’m really fucking proud of you.”
Nothing, literally nothing he could have said in that moment would have shocked her more. “You’re proud of me? Why?”
“I know it wasn’t easy for you to call me tonight and ask for help. But you did. You didn’t wait until you got caught, you didn’t wait for things to get so bad you couldn’t ignore them. You recognized you were falling back into old habits and you reached out. And I could not be more fucking proud of you right now, little siren.”
Tears burned at the backs of her eyes. “I didn’t really think of it like that.”
“I know. Which is why I’m telling you. So that when I tell you that I’m not going to punish you tonight, you understand why.”
Okay, she’d been wrong. That was the most shocking thing he possibly could have said. “But I broke the rules. And I hid it from you.”
“You did. But you owned up to it and you asked for help. I’m not going to punish you for that.”
“But—”
“Francesca.” Beneath the warning tone ran amusement, enough to settle some of her jumping nerves. “Are you trying to talk your way into a spanking?”
“Maybe.” It shocked her to realize how true it was. “I broke a rule. So I should be punished. Isn’t that how it works?”
“Usually. But there is room for nuance and grace.” His eyes narrowed slightly and she was left with the unsettling impression, as she often was, that her husband could see straight through to her soul. “If you need a spanking to help with the stress of the wedding, though… that I could do.”
Relief loosened the knots in her stomach, shocking her even more than his declaration that he wasn’t going to punish her. “I think that would help a lot, actually.”
“All right. But I want it very clear that this is not a punishment. Understood?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. When I come let you out, I want you to go straight upstairs to our bedroom and I expect to find you naked on the bed when I get there. If you are not, then you will get that spanking you wanted, plus some. Understood?”
Warmth, needy and insistent, pulsed between her thighs.
“Yes, Daddy.”
Holden
* * *
When they got into the house, he sent her running upstairs with a heavy swat to her ass that had her squealing and giggling as she rushed to follow his instructions.
