Page 73 of Big Daddy Christmas
“Gotta go talk to Beckett,” she murmured to Silver, who gave her hand a hard, reassuring squeeze.
“Good luck. I’ll be here if you need to talk after.”
“Thanks.”
Without bothering to say anything to the rest of the crew, she slipped out of the suite and across the hall, where she stood and stared at the closed door for several long moments, trying to get up her courage.
“Stop being such a baby,” she muttered to herself. “You’ve been in more trouble than this and handled it just fine.”
But this felt different, for ways she couldn’t explain. Maybe because she didn’t even remember her bratting, so she’d been unprepared. Maybe because she’d actually caused the man she loved so much distress without meaning to. Whatever the reason, she was more nervous than she could remember being for a punishment in a long, long time.
Dragging in a deep breath, she reached for the door and gripped the knob, giving it a slow turn. Heat flooded her cheeks as she pushed the door open and several sets of eyes swung her direction.
Jesus, that was a lot of potent dominant energy in one room.
“Um, hi,” she managed to squeak out. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Rising from his spot on one of the couches, Beckett crossed the room, and relief nearly made her knees weak when he smiled. “You are always welcome in any room where I am, Ruby Red.”
And with that, the knots in her stomach completely unraveled. Yeah, she was in trouble. But she was still his, and that was all that mattered.
Taking her hand in his, he pulled her forward, and she was so unprepared for the move she ended up stumbling straight into his rock-hard chest. Which only made him smile even wider as she stared up into his dark gaze.
“Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse us, I have a naughty little girl to deal with.”
More heat rushed to her cheeks as he led her past the smirks and the stares to the bedroom. Where he immediately yanked her into his arms, his lips hovering a breath away from hers.
“Am I going to ruin your makeup if I kiss you?” he murmured, the words a caress that had her trembling in his arms.
“Yes. But I don’t care.”
“Fuck.” The word came out as a low moan and he dropped his forehead to hers. “No need to piss off the bride. But as soon as the ceremony is over, you’re mine.”
“I’m always yours, Daddy.”
“Good girl,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. And with that, he shifted, changing right in front of her eyes, everything about him hardening, becoming sterner.
Becoming more Daddy.
The change never failed to thrill her, even as butterflies exploded in her stomach. “We need to talk about this morning,” he said, his voice as hard as the rest of him.
“Yes, Sir.” Another apology trembled on her tongue, but now wasn’t the time. She’d already said she was sorry a hundred times. The best way to show true contrition now was to accept whatever punishment he had in mind with as much grace as she could muster.
“You know I don’t mind you being a brat, Ruby. And I know that what happened wasn’t really your fault. But being too drunk to remember doing something naughty doesn’t absolve you from the naughty thing you did, does it?”
“N-no, Sir.”
“You’ve probably figured out you’re getting that pretty bottom of yours spanked.”
“Yeah, I figured,” she mumbled. Strong fingers gripped her chin, and her heart stuttered as she forced her gaze up to his.
“Is that how you respond to me when you’re in trouble, little girl?”
“No, Daddy. I’m sorry.”
“Much better.” He ran his thumb over her chin, sending little ripples of pleasure coursing through her body. “I want you to know I’m not angry. I understand you were just playing a prank and it was simply a comedy of errors. But I also know my naughty girl will feel much, much better after she’s been punished. Won’t you, Ruby Red?”
“Yes, Daddy,” she whispered, blinking against the tears burning in her eyes. Like kissing him, crying was a surefire way to mess up her makeup and they didn’t really have time for her to fix it.
