Page 71 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

“Bye, Uncle Ford!”

“What do you want to do today, little one?” Daddy asks as he carries me back up the stairs. “We could read some more books or maybe go sit outside for a few minutes. But you heard your Uncle Ford, no running and playing for a little while still.”

“This is the worst.” Like any proper Little girl, my voice pitches up to a needling whine. “I never wanna have a concussion ever again.”

“I know, baby. It’s only for a few more days, and then you can get back to being your crazy, rambunctious self.”

His words roll around in my mind as we make our way to our rooms. “Daddy?”

“Yes, little fox?”

“When I’m better, will you still chase me in the woods?”

Pausing just outside my nursery, he looks over at me, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief. “Do you want me to chase you?”

“I think so. I… I kind of like it when you catch me and tie me up and…” Embarrassed heat floods my cheeks as I trail off, unable to verbally detail all the things I enjoy about our chases through the woods.

“Well that’s a lucky thing, because I also enjoy what happens when I catch you. And I have a very special game in mind, so the sooner you rest up and get the all-clear from Uncle Ford, the sooner we can play.”

“Really? What kind of game?”

“You’ll have to wait and see. For now…”

With a dramatic flick of his arm, he sweeps aside the curtain leading in my nursery-fort and I squeal with excitement at the sight that greets me. “A TV! Can we watch it, please, Daddy?”

“We absolutely can. In fact…” Bending down to set me on the pile of pillows in front of the television, he snags a remote and turns it on. There, on the screen, is one of my favorite classic horror movies.

“Really? You’re really gonna let me watch a scary movie?”

“I did promise you our very own movie night, didn’t I?”

With everything that’s happened over the past few days, I’d actually forgotten all about that. “You did, you did promise.”

“And a good Daddy always keeps his promises. But we have to take a break after this one for a couple hours, and then we can watch another one this afternoon if you want. No movie marathons until Uncle Ford says so.”

That’s disappointing, but also not unexpected, so I don’t bother to argue. “Okay, Daddy.”

My agreeable nature earns me a suspicious look. “That's it? No begging? No bargaining? Just… ‘Okay, Daddy’?”

“Yup.”

Eyes narrowing slightly, he stares me down, but I just smile sweetly in response. “You’re up to something, I know it.”

I’m not, actually. But making him wonder is more fun than anything I could plan, so I just brighten my smile. “Nope. No secret plans for mischief here.”

“Uh-huh.” Clearly unconvinced, he settles on the pillows beside me, pulling me in to snuggle with him. Just remember, even if I can’t spank you right now, I have my handy-dandy little notebook to keep track of all your misbehavior. And you already have a doozy of a spanking coming your way when Uncle Ford gives me the all-clear.”

“I know, Daddy. I’ll be good, I promise.”

Judging by the sideways look he gives me, he doesn't believe that promise for a single second, and I have to fight the urge to giggle as I snuggle under his arm to watch the movie. After all, it’s not my fault he doesn’t believe me, though I probably could try harder to seem more sincere.

But a girl needs to find some way to keep herself entertained when she’s not allowed to do anything fun. Right?

CHAPTER 30

DANE

“But Daddy, Uncle Ford said I could ‘resume normal activities’ three days ago! You’re just being mean!”