Page 122 of Cowboy Daddies

Callum unbuckled his belt, tugging it through the loops, the leather whipping through the air. He wrapped his hand around the buckle, the belt dangling freely. “Bend over the bed. Head down.”

“Your belt didn’t make it all the way off your body, Sir.”

“No, babygirl. It doesn’t appear it did. Bend.”

I bit down on my lip, the realization of how he was going to respond to my attitude slowly seeping in. “Yes, Sir.” I bent over, spreading my arms out to curl around the conveniently placed blanket at the edge. It gave me something to hold on to.

“That’s a good girl. You’ll get six.”

“Six? Is there a significance there or did you generate it from one of those online number pickers?” I asked, my nerves prickling with apprehension. He had spanked me more than once, but never with anything other than his palm.

“I haven’t touched my phone in a while, sweetheart. No, not an online app. Six is a lot when I haven’t used a strap on you before. But it should be bearable. Uncomfortable? Yes. Stingy? Yes. If you’re overwhelmed physically or otherwise, what do you say?”

“Um, stoplight? No. Red. Red like a stoplight so you know it’s over my pain threshold.”

“Very good. I’ll count this time,” he explained while dancing my pink thong down my legs with one hand and then off completely. I thought about what my ass looked like against the dark-gray comforter and mused that it was about to look a lot pinker by the time he was done.

“Are you ready, Quinn?”

“Yes, Daddy,” I said though I doubted the words as I spoke them. I thought I was ready, but my ability to stay quiet and not squirm was another matter.

“That’s my good girl. One.”

The first stroke had the leather belt kissing my upper thighs. I yelled into the comforter. The sting was much worse than the one his palm left.

Callum ran his hands through my ponytail. “Breathe, babygirl. We’re not finished.”

“I hate your belt!”

“I didn’t think you’d like it. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Keep breathing through it.”

I nodded, moving my hand up to my mouth so I could bite my fist.

“Drop your hand, beautiful. I want to hear your reactions, it’s important to gauge where you’re at during this. Biting your fist will muffle your voice,” he explained. “If you say red, I need to stop immediately. Hands at your sides.”

I listened to the soft cadence of his voice, gentle and calming even with the knowledge that he was not done punishing me. My behavior had been a cry for attention and he was replying in the way I’d agreed to. I dropped my arms to my sides, and let my body relax into the soft mattress underneath me. “I’m breathing.”

“Good girl, nice and even for me. Two.”

Callum landed the next one across the full expanse of my ass. I jerked, cursing. It hurt so much worse than the first one. “Fucking hell. That fucking hurt! What the fuck?”

“Whoa. Easy there. It’s not supposed to tickle, little girl. It’s supposed to remind you of what we are building here. And it’s also going to leave a lasting impression. Even when we’re apart, I’m paying attention. I care about you. I don’t want you to spiral when you’re left to your own devices. I’m on your side.”

“I don’t think your belt is on my side, Sir!” I took several deep breaths and let them out in gasps.

“Use respectful words. You can tell me what you’re feeling but you’re not going to snap at me.” He kneaded his fingers into both sides of my bottom, a small reprieve from the leather strap.

“I let you be the bad guy, okay? It was fucking easier to take out my grief on you rather than face it.” Another confession. I couldn’t believe how many things that I’d held so close to my chest were pouring out like my mouth was a spigot since he’d arrived.

“Ah. I don’t love to play the villain, little girl. But it does give me some insight. Every single thing I’ve told you is true. I’m going to manage this ranch better than it's been handled. Not because you were doing a poor job, but because you didn’t have all the tools you needed. I’m here to improve finances, productivity and give you anything and everything you need to restore Violet Meadows. I’m not going to send you away, Quinn.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn’t recall crying as much in my life as I had the past week. I’d locked away my grief from losing my parents, losing my home, and constantly feeling like a burden inside a huge safe inside my chest. Callum had not only figured out the combination, he’d broken it open so I couldn’t hide inside it anymore. The walls sheltering my heart were crumbling faster than I could rebuild.

“I’m not used to anyone sticking around. Other than Nana. When she died, I was worried I’d be alone again. It was a selfish thought.”

Callum pressed a kiss to the base of my spine. Then planted another higher, moving upward until he reached the back of my neck. “I’m not going to let you build those walls again. Not if I can help it. They stopped you from getting hurt, but they also stopped you from experiencing other things. Didn’t they?”

“Mmmmhmmm,” I agreed through sniffles. He was right in a way he had no business being. Not when we hadn’t been around each other in years. I’d poured myself into working, seldom engaging in fun activities. I had hobbies that I enjoyed, but the ranch took up most of my time.