“Taking away my pool privileges would be cruel.” I tilted my head to the side. “I’d have to spend all my time in the theater.”
“Then I guess you’d rather have a spanking.” He moved to the edge of the pool and pulled himself up onto the side. “Come on over here.”
He’s practically irresistible when he’s dripping wet…
“Fine…” I bit down on my bottom lip and swam over.
“Over my knee, hurry up about it.” He patted his knee and smiled.
Is he going to actually spank me this time?
“I’m hurrying.” I pushed myself up and he leaned forward to help.
“You know—a spanking seems like a little much for splashing me.” He tilted his head slightly. “I think you need to be dunked!”
“What? No!” I shook my head back and forth.
It was too late. Greyson laid a trap and I walked right into it. I actually thought he was going to spank me—instead, I was about to get dunked. I wasn’t balanced on my feet, so when he held my arms and slid back into the water, all I could do was go along for the ride. He pushed me under the water and gave me a quick push on the top of my head to make sure I was fully submerged. I immediately came back up, but I was sputtering water and wiping my eyes when I did. My vision didn’t focus immediately, but I could hear Greyson laughing. I wasn’t amused, mainly because I had been deprived of what I wanted.
“That’s wasn’t fair!” I blinked my eyes into focus and glared at him.
“I bet you won’t splash me again.” He cocked his head and grinned.
I was sort of disappointed—but slightly relieved. I had mentally prepared myself for a few smacks on my ass, and as much as I hated to admit it, the thought of getting them kind of turned me on. Being dunked certainly quelled the fire, but I wished it was still burning. We played around in the pool for a little longer, and I had learned my lesson about splashing him, so I avoided it entirely. We got dried off once we were done and went inside to change. I definitely wasn’t going anywhere with my driving privileges revoked, so I put on a pair of loose fitting pajama pants and a t-shirt with my high school logo—it was tighter than I expected, but not uncomfortable. When I came back downstairs, the front door was open. A few seconds later, he walked inside with a rather large box in his hands.
“I think one of your boxes—got lost?” He gave me a perplexed stare and put it down on the floor.
“Hmm.” I walked over and looked at it. “Yeah, it’s one of mine—but I thought I already had everything. Wait, no—my sister sent this one.”
“Maybe the movers missed it and she decided to overnight it to you?” He shrugged and pointed at the overnight shipping label.
“Yeah—maybe.” I leaned over and started pulling the tape off of the box—the second I opened the top flap, I realized what it was. “Oh, no… This was supposed to stay at my house.”
“What is it?” He leaned forward.
“It’s my uh…” I chuckled under my breath. “Box of Shame.”
“Box of Shame?” He raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
“It’s all of the stuff I decided to keep that I didn’t want to make it into my Memory Box.” I laughed and closed the flap. “I’ll put it in the closet upstairs.”
“Well now I’m intrigued…” Greyson folded his arms across his chest. “What kind of shameful skeletons do you have in your closet, young lady?”
“The kind that you don’t make a stop at when you’re going down memory lane.” I shrugged slightly.
“Now, I really want to see.” He narrowed his eyes at me.
“Fine…” I picked up the box. “I guess one trip down the wrong side of memory lane won’t hurt anything.”
I carried the box into the living room and dropped it by the couch. We both sat down, and I started picking through the stuff inside. It was filled with stuff that made me cringe—like a love letter I wrote to a guy I had a crush on professing my undying love—and thankfully never sent. There were some bad report cards, tests that I completely bombed, and discipline forms from the few times I did get in trouble at school. I kept most of my high school memories in the box that he had already seen, and I wasn’t ashamed of a bad grade here and there, but some of the comments on the papers I put in my Box of Shame—those would get a ceremonial burning once I graduated from college.
“Why wouldn’t you just put all of this stuff in your Memory Box?” He tossed a couple of papers to the side. “You obviously wanted to keep all of it…”
“I did want to keep it, but some of it was just for motivation, like the comments on this paper where the teacher trashed me for my writing—it gave me a baseline for comparison to what I was writing as I got older.” I showed him the paper.
“Wow, okay.” He nodded. “That’s a little harsh.”
“Plus, the Memory Box is supposed to be for good memories. If I ever have kids one day, I want to be able to share it with them when they’re old enough, and they don’t need to see stuff like this…” I reached down and picked up a picture of me with Amanda, my best friend from high school.
“What in the world…” He chuckled. “I thought you were a good girl—are you smoking in this picture?”
“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes. “Amanda stole a couple of cigarettes from her dad and thought it would be cool to snap a few pictures—cause you know, that kind of stuff is cool when you’re in high school.”
“I suppose.” He nodded. “It’s also the kind of stuff that would get you a trip over my knee—for more than a few playful smacks.”
“Mom would have grounded me for a year—which is why it went in the Box of Shame.” I tossed the picture back in the box.
“What’s this?” He leaned forward and picked up a discipline form. “You got sent to the Principal’s Office for cheating on a test?”
“That was—a misunderstanding.” I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t actually cheating. I just had my notes under my book…”
“Ah.” He nodded.
“Okay, maybe I peeked.” I suppressed a grin. “I really needed to pass the test and didn’t study the way I should have.”
“So you were cheating?” He put the paper on the other side of the box.
“Yeah, but it wasn’t intentional. I left my notes there by accident and just—couldn’t resist when I realized it. The teacher caught me, and I saw the inside of the Principal’s Office for the first time.” I shrugged and sighed.
“Sounds like another thing that would have gotten you a trip across my knee…” He gave me a playful nudge.
“Mom grounded me. That was enough…” I looked back down at the box. “Here’s the other time I got sent to the Principal’s Office.”
“You only went twice? Ever?” He blinked in surprise.
“I was a good kid…” I pretended to be offended. “I got in trouble with my teachers a couple of times, but only ended up sitting across from Principal Davis twice—and I made it to high school before my first trip, so that was kind of an accomplishment in and of itself.”
“You pulled the fire alarm.” Greyson’s eyes opened wide. “Chrissy!”
“It was a bet…” I sighed. “I lost—and it was so freaking stupid, I know. The fire department showed up and I got a serious talking-to by one of the firefighters and Principal Davis.”
“Then you got suspended for three days…” Greyson pointed at the bottom of the form. “Or wait, what is in-school suspension?”
“My school didn’t really suspend people because it was like a vacation for some students and they were abusing the system. They had a classroom—well, it was more of a closet—where you spent the entire day doing extra work instead of going to class.” I shook my head with another sigh. “Trust me, it was a lot worse than being suspended.”
“Let me guess—you got grounded again.” He chuckled slightly.
“Oh yeah and not for a week. I didn’t get to go anywhere for three months.” I nodded quickly. “Mom was pissed. She even h
ad to pay a fine because of it and made me work that off doing odd jobs in the neighborhood every Saturday and Sunday until I made enough to pay her back.”
“An appropriate punishment…” He nodded. “Not all that you deserved, but respectable.”
“I would have gotten all of that plus a trip over your knee?” I bit down on my bottom lip and smiled.
“Definitely.” He chuckled and put the form back in the box.
Wow, I would have gotten spanked a few times if he was responsible for me back then—I wonder if I would have done a little better in school if I had that threat hanging over my head…
The rest of the stuff in the box wasn’t quite as interesting. We finished going through it and then I carried it up to my room. I still hadn’t filled much of the enormous closet, despite having more boxes than I originally expected. I picked up my cell phone and sat down on my bed, checking my social media accounts, and responding to a few texts. That was just an aimless distraction—because what I was really thinking about was what he said. I felt a little torn. I was attracted to Greyson—there was no doubt about that, but there was another part of me that wondered what it was like to have him be truly responsible for me. Would he actually spank me if I deserved it? Was that—what I had needed my whole life?
I’ve never had a father, but—maybe I’ve always needed something else. Maybe I’ve needed a Daddy…
Six
Greyson
Chrissy’s mother conveniently left out everything from the Box of Shame when she told me that her daughter was a good kid. I would have still agreed to let her live with me because I would have never turned down a request from the Banks family, but I might of proceeded with a little more caution. Maybe not. She had a rebellious streak—all teenagers had one. I had my fair share, but I didn’t put it in a box to preserve the memories. Still, she seemed to have turned out okay, even if she didn’t have someone to actually punish her the way she might have deserved. It was interesting to see that side of her—it also gave me a little more perspective on what I might be in for if she stayed longer than a few months.
I’m not sure how I’ll survive if she does. I was originally fine with her staying until she graduated, but now I’m worried that every day will make it harder to keep my hands off her…
I was starting to come to the realization that the attraction wasn’t one-sided, which kind of terrified me. I wasn’t entirely sure the previous night, but I saw the way she looked at me in the gym. I saw it in her eyes when we were in the pool. She stared—and there were times when it looked like she wanted to devour me with her eyes. That was why I decided to dunk her instead of spank her—because I wasn’t sure where it would lead if I actually did land a few smacks on that perfect ass when it was in a bikini and dripping wet. The door in my head didn’t like the pressure I was putting on it to try and keep it closed. If I applied much more, it might just come off the hinges. The image of Sam’s little girl was gone—all I could see was the woman she had become, and that was more terrifying than realizing that the attraction was mutual.
I just need to keep it together. Once she goes to college, she might meet a new guy—someone her age that will give her the kind of future she deserves…
There was another facet of the attraction that was toying with my thoughts too—the fact that despite her womanly curves, she hadn’t fully grown into them emotionally. Underneath the layer of gorgeousness that intoxicated me was a girl that never had a Daddy. She had a father—for a few years, but not long enough to make a lasting impression. Sam wouldn’t have left a good one, even if he was alive, unless he found a way to overcome his demons. I could see that in her eyes too—the ache for someone to take her in hand and actually be the Daddy she never had. Maybe it was why she actually let me look through her so-called Box of Shame—she wanted me to see that she wasn’t always a good girl.
I’ve met a woman like that before and she did call me Daddy. The dynamic was complicated, but sometimes it was beautiful. Unfortunately, the complications ultimately pulled us apart and I swore I’d never consider that kind of relationship again.
Thinking about being the kind of man Chrissy needed tugged at my soul. It brought out the protective side of me. Even though I was holding onto the realization that she might find a guy her age at college, there was a part of me that knew it would fill me with jealousy. I was starting to feel possessive—and she wasn’t even mine to possess. I had watched that side of me ruin what I had with my last girlfriend—and I still had a ring upstairs to remind me how much the relationship meant. She wasn’t like Chrissy though—she didn’t need a man to protect her or take care of her. Maybe there was a part of me that craved that in a relationship in order to make my dominant side flourish the way it begged to in order to fulfill all of my needs.
She’s coming back downstairs. I need to get all these thoughts out of my head and put a smile on my face.
“Do you want some lunch? I was gonna make something…” Chrissy peeked into the living room.
“You don’t have to do that—red button, remember?” I pointed at the phone.
“Your assistant probably doesn’t want to be disturbed on the weekend.” She walked into the living room and stared at the phone.
“She works seven days a week.” I chuckled under my breath. “Trust me, she doesn’t mind. She’s well compensated and if I’m not calling, my clients keep her phone ringing all day long.”
“Okay, I guess we can order something.” Chrissy nodded and handed me the phone.
I wasn’t completely helpless to the point that I needed Lauren for everything, but I did rely on her more than I should. When I first started my own sports agency, I worked seven days a week and would have literally starved if I didn’t have her there to make sure I ate. Back then we were working in a tiny room in the worst part of Los Angeles—but things took off once I landed Ricky Bonds as my first big client. That started a cascade, because other players thought that anyone who could handle Ricky Bonds had to be the best agent in the business. They weren’t wrong—or maybe I was just stroking my own ego. Either way, I became a success fairly quickly, and the red button became a lifeline even though I didn’t necessarily need it anymore.
“Alright. The chef will be here shortly.” I put the phone down and leaned back on the couch.
The chef arrived and fixed us some lunch. It wasn’t anything fancy, but I went ahead and put in an order for dinner since he was there. Chrissy and I talked a little more while we ate. She asked a few more details about my life—parts that didn’t involve her father. I told about my family, growing up in a house full of siblings, and getting into Rugby when I was pretty young. I told her a little more about London, being a professional Rugby player—for the brief time that it lasted—and deciding to move to America for a fresh start. She knew most of the rest, because I met her father after college, and we had covered that extensively. After we finished eating, we returned to the living room and I sat down beside her on the couch.
“I’m surprised you haven’t just moved a butler in here.” She looked over at me and smiled. “You have a staff, but none of them actually stay at your house…”
“I’ve always valued my privacy.” I shrugged. “I didn’t have that growing up, and once my agency started growing, I rarely got any time to myself unless I was at home.”
“Then I moved in and—goodbye privacy.” She tilted her head and laughed.
“I don’t mind.” I shook my head back and forth. “Privacy did get boring after a while, and it definitely hasn’t been boring with you around.”
“Because you have to keep chasing me around the house?” She narrowed her eyes and I saw a mischievous grin form on the corner of her lips.
“Partially…” I nodded and made eye contact.
I think she’s about to do it again—fuck, she just can’t stop tempting me…
“Well you wouldn’t have to cheat to catch me if you weren’t such an—old man.” She started laughing and hopped
to her feet.
“No cheating this time—if you really want to call it that.” I grabbed her arm before she could get her footing. “And you’re not running.”
“Hey, that’s not fair!” She pulled against my grasp, but I kept it tight enough to keep her from getting away.
“You started it—remember that.” I pulled her down across my knee so that her ass was tilted in the air.
“I thought I would have a fighting chance this time…” She grumbled, but it was playful. “I already figured out the shortcut after last time—so you definitely weren’t going to use it against me.”
“Is that so?” I chuckled under my breath. “I think you wanted me to catch you…”
“Maybe…” She squirmed a little bit and seemed to—actually get comfortable over my knee.
I’m not going to be able to fight this. I’ve—totally lost control. She is begging me to spank her—but does she want a few quick smacks or something more.
“Maybe while you’re here, we should talk about all that naughty behavior I saw in your Box of Shame.” I pulled my breath into my lungs and held it there—almost afraid of how she would respond.
“That was years ago…” She exhaled sharply and I heard a slight whimper. “I’ve been a good girl since then.”
“That’s—highly debatable.” I looked down at her ass, practically entranced with the sight of it. “It’s going to sting a little bit more than it did last time—these pajama pants aren’t as thick as your jeans.”
“Especially if you punish me for what I did in high school…” She sighed and looked over her shoulder at me—it wasn’t just a playful stare; her eyes were burning with desire.
Fuck—the line is already crossed, and I don’t think I can get back across it. She definitely can’t…
“Is that what you want?” I narrowed my eyes at her.
“Maybe just—one thing I did wrong.” She bit down on her lip and practically started to tremble.
Once Upon a Daddy: A Romance Anthology Page 5
