Page 46 of Lesson In Honesty
Well, he’d wanted a challenge, right? He’d known Daddy skills might be needed at some point, even though he possessed none. He’d just hoped they wouldn’t be required quite this soon.
Never mind. This was the commitment he’d signed up for, so it was time to put on his Daddy pants and do his best.
“You know,” he said slowly, “I could do with a hug myself. Do you think you might be able to help me out? I can’t recall the last time someone gave me cuddles.”
Sierra sniffled, her expression fading from borderline hysterical to simply unhappy. “You can’t?”
Mack shook his head. “I really can’t.”
“O-Okay.” She lifted her arms, then wrapped them around his shoulders, her entire body curling into him as she rubbed her damp cheek against his. “I gives you cuddles when you needs them.”
Christ, he’d love to know how deep her soul went. The depth of her sweetness and compassion was unrivaled, to his knowledge. While she missed her Daddy, she still offered comfort he hadn’t known he needed until now.
Taking advantage of the moment, he eased her closer, closing his eyes and breathing in the fresh scent of cinnamon and oranges. Arms tightening around her, he rocked in place, simply breathing her in and appreciating everything she gave freely.
“Thank you, pixie.”
Chapter Six
Sierra
They met Liam in the bar at just after eight p.m. after a long and… educational day. Her Daddy was freshly showered, leaning against the polished bar with a bottle of the local brew he liked, looking incredibly hot.
Black slacks and boots along with the thick flannel shirt in red and blue checks made him appear like a barely tamed lumberjack on the loose, and she couldn’t help licking her lips.
When Liam saw her, he stepped forward with his arms out; she ran straight into them, burrowing into him and breathing in his scent. “Had a good day with Mack, babygirl?”
She nodded, the soft material of his shirt brushing over her cheek. “We’ve been busy.”
“That’s my girl.” Chuckling, Liam tucked her into his side and studied Mack. “How about you? Ready for a nap yet?”
Mack scrubbed a hand over his face. “Don’t let her nap, ever. Her batteries recharge that fast, it’s like keeping track of a puppy when she wakes.” He politely signaled Jonah. “One of what Liam’s got, please. Pixie?”
“Soda, please.”
When Mack glanced at Liam for approval, she felt her Daddy relax and nod in approval. There was hope for the dynamic to work well; Mack was carefully avoiding stepping on Daddy’s toes even though he’d been in charge of her all day.
The drinks arrived and they moved over to the booth they’d used the night before. It felt like home, sliding over the seat to camouflage herself in the corner. It gave her the opportunity to watch the room, study the people, without being in the spotlight herself.
Mack sat opposite her as Liam hemmed her in.
“So tell me about today.” Liam linked fingers with her, and the almost discordant hum that had been plaguing her all day dissipated with the contact. “Has the minx been a good girl or a bad one?”
While Mack thought it over, she thought she was probably standing at a seventy-five to twenty-five ratio on the side of good. She’d done her best to be the good girl Liam was proud of,but her Little was prone to taking the reins and doing what the hell she pleased.
“Overall,” Mack said in a musing tone, “Sierra’s been very good.” Mercurial eyes met hers, and he winked. “A spanking wouldn’t go amiss for some of the bratty shit she’s pulled, but I figure she’s just on a learning curve and testing her boundaries—and my patience.”
Liam’s grin flashed. “Well then, we’ll add a spanking to tonight’s agenda.”
Midway through a sip of her drink, Sierra inhaled in shock and choked on the sweet, fizzy beverage. “Just like that? What happened to being presumed innocent until proved guilty?”
“Minx, you’re lighting up like the fairy lights on a Christmas tree. Either you’re a horny little girl desperate for a cock or two,” he said quietly, gray eyes gleaming with mirth when heat seemed to explode in her cheeks, “or you know you did something worthy of feeling a hard hand on your ass.”
Damn it. She was admitting to nothing, she decided, delicately pressing the side of her nose where bubbles tickled. Adopting a nonchalant expression, she murmured, “Two cocks sound delightful, thank you, Sir.”
Liam snorted and pulled her in for a brutal kiss that set her panties on fire. “God, I missed you today.”
“Me too, Sir.”