Page 55 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

“Yes, little girl, you are getting your bottom paddled with this brush until I’m certain I never need to have this discussion with any of you again.”

Pain explodes across my right cheek a moment later and I instinctively rear up, trying to shove off her lap. But Auntie Gray is just as strong as any of her brothers, and she easily holds me in place as she continues to paddle my bottom. Over and over the brush falls, the heavy wood cracking against my skin, spreading a burning ache across every inch of my flesh.

By the time she finishes, I’m sobbing too hard to issue any more apologies as she pulls me up into her arms, cradling me on her lap as she rocks me gently and whispers soft words of praise in my ear.

“You took your spanking so well, little one. Auntie Gray is so proud of you.”

Her words reach deep down inside me, filling up parts of my soul I didn’t even know were empty. And even though the logical, rational part of my brain is screaming at me not to believe it, not to let them get to me, I can’t help but smile through the tears. “You’re pr-proud of m-me?”

“Of course, sweetheart. That was a big spanking and you took it like a champ. You’re such a good girl.”

Guilt slams into my chest, and my tears fall even faster. “I’m not a good girl. It’s m-my fault everyone got in trouble.”

“No, honey, it’s nobody’s fault but theirs that they followed you into mischief. You aren’t responsible for anyone’s actions but your own. Understood?”

Again, the logical side of me is at war with this brittle, emotional side I never knew I had. Even though I know she’s technically right, I still feel responsible.

But I also have a strong suspicion that disagreeing with her will end very badly for me and my bottom, so I nod anyway, even though I don’t believe it. “I understand, Auntie.”

The smile that blooms on her face is worth the lie. “Good girl. Now, as much as I would love to sit here and snuggle my sweet little nieces all night, you still have one more spanking coming.”

Groaning, I slide from her lap and shuffle toward Uncle Eli. Tabby and I move to pass each other and the tears on her face have the guilty knot in my chest growing heavier.

Moving on instinct, I throw my arms around her and squeeze. “I’m so sorry I got you guys in so much trouble.”

To my great relief, she returns my hug, even more tightly. “You don’t have to apologize. We all made the choice to be naughty. It isn’t your fault. Nobody blames you.”

Her words help to break up the pressure in my chest, at least a little. We hang on for a few more minutes before we each drag in a deep breath and move on to our next punishment.

And when I come to stand in front of Uncle Eli, I realize for the first time how very large he is. All of the Thorne siblings are exceptionally tall, even Auntie Gray, but Uncle Eli is possibly the thickest of them all. With bulging arm muscles that have my throat going dry.

This is going to suck.

Dane

It’s kind of cute, watching the way my babygirl’s eyes widen as she takes in her Uncle Eli. He’s easily the beefiest of us all, but he’s also very aware of his strength, especially when it comes to punishing Little girls. So even if Vanessa is absolutely terrified of him right now, I know she has nothing to fear.

Not that I’m telling her that, of course. Her fear is just too sweet.

Reaching down, I give my aching cock a squeeze as my brother pulls my naughty Little girl over his lap and picks up his spoon. Like Gray’s brush, the wooden spoon has become synonymous with Uncle Eli’s discipline and all the girls have a healthy fear of said spoon.

Eli snaps the wooden bowl against her already reddened bottom, and my Little one lets out a loud wail as she kicks and struggles over his lap. Biting my lip, I swallow down a groan as my cock jerks against the denim of my jeans. This is, quite possibly, the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever witnessed.

I can’t wait to get Vanessa back to my room, so I can bury myself in her poor, bruised little bottom while she sobs and begs for mercy I have no intention of giving her.

By the time Eli ends her punishment and pulls her up into his arms, my cock is so hard I worry I might pass out from all the blood being redirected to that particular organ. It takes every ounce of self-control I possess to give him even five minutes to comfort her before I swoop in and scoop her off his lap.

A scowl twists his features as he glares up at me. “She’s still crying, Dane.”

“She can cry in her Daddy’s bed, then.”

God knows she’ll be crying even more by the time I’m done with her.

Eli’s eyes narrow even further. “Fine. But make sure she has plenty to drink after. She’ll need to rehydrate.”

Irritation runs prickly fingers up my spine. “I know how to take care of my baby.”

“Uh-huh.”