Daddy's Perfect Princess (The Shape of Love Book 1)

by Stella Moore

  “Yeah,” he barked into the intercom.

  “Pizza delivery for Mr. Washburn.”

  “Come on up.” He turned to Mindy and sent her a wicked grin. “You stay right there, princess.”

  She immediately covered her breasts with her arms. “But what if he sees me?”

  “He won’t. Trust me.”

  She reluctantly stayed in place, though she didn’t move her arms until he had paid the driver and closed the door behind him. Fox carried the pizza to the kitchen then called for her.

  He had, at some point, placed a pillow on a chair. The sweetness of the gesture warmed her as she settled onto its softness. Fox unboxed the pizza, placing a plate and a can of coke in front of her.

  “So, princess,” he began as they dug into their pizza. “Tell me what happened this afternoon.”

  Mindy took her time chewing and swallowing. “What do you mean?”

  “Walk me through your process from getting home to going for a run in the park.”

  She started to shrug, but the look he sent her quashed that reaction. “I don’t know. It was a hard day at work and I was feeling really on edge. Normally I’d stop at the store and get some ice cream or something, but I was trying to stick to the plan.”

  He chuckled. “The irony of that is not lost on me. I’m really proud of you for trying to make a healthier choice.”

  She absolutely melted at the word proud. “I was just going to go for a short, light jog. Nothing strenuous.”

  “What changed?”

  Her nose burned with the effort to hold back the tears. “It’s nothing. I was just being sensitive.”

  “About what?”

  “These kids, at the park. They… You know what, never mind. Just drop it.”

  “Mindy.” She froze in the act of lifting her drink to her lips, her stomach dropping at the warning edge in his voice.

  “Yeah?”

  “Put the drink down and go get me a wooden spoon out of the canister on the counter.”

  She quickly set the drink down, but shook her head at the rest of the order. “I don’t want a spanking.”

  “Now, Mindy.” He growled when she shook her head again. “Either you get the spoon or I go get my belt. Your choice.”

  Neither one sounded like a good choice, but the spoon sounded marginally less awful. Dragging her feet, she walked over to the utensil crock and grabbed one of the many wooden spoons. She returned to the table and handed it to Fox, who accepted it and promptly pulled her over his lap.

  The spoon tapped against her bottom and she whimpered softly. “You need to learn to talk to me, princess. I’m not going to be mad or judge you when you tell me something upset you or hurt your feelings. Got it?”

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  “Do I need to give you a spanking to help loosen your tongue, or are you going to talk?”

  “I’ll talk.”

  “Then talk.”

  “Like this?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah. Figure it’s easier for me if you get stubborn again.” To emphasize his point, he swatted her twice with the spoon.

  “Ow! Okay, I’ll talk! There were these kids and I jogged by and they said something rude. It hurt my feelings and I was just trying to get away, I guess. But you apparently can’t outrun your own emotions,” she added tearfully.

  “I’m sorry that happened to you, princess,” his voice was full of gentle understanding, and she relaxed a little.

  “Are you sorry you spanked me so hard?”

  “Not at all. Yeah it sucked, but you could have hurt yourself. Exercise is a great way to work off excess energy and help you cope with negative emotions, but you still have to be smart about it. Are you sorry I spanked you?”

  “Not really. It helped more than stupid running.”

  “Any time you’re feeling overwhelmed, I’m happy to help you relax, then.”

  “Okay. Can I eat my pizza now? I’m starving.”

  He let her up after another couple swats from the spoon that had her bottom burning and she moved back to her chair.

  After dinner, he told her to get dressed so he could drive her back to the park. She’d only gotten as far as bending over to pick up her leggings when he walked in, and she’d ended up on the bed so he could make her scream his name again.

  Feeling thoroughly exhausted and used, she finally made it back to her car. Fox walked her to the driver’s side door, where he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her to him for a kiss that made her toes curl. “Go get some sleep. I still expect to see you at the gym tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” she replied dreamily.

  He waited until she’d gotten in and buckled, and then followed her out of the park where they went their separate ways. She was halfway home when she decided she couldn’t wait another day to see Jenna. Switching directions at the last minute, she headed to her bestie’s apartment. She ignored the voice in the back of her mind that said her daddy wouldn’t be happy. She needed to talk to Jenna, like yesterday.

  Since she had the code to the front door, she let herself in and took the elevator to Jenna’s floor. Jenna’s eyes went wide when she opened her door and found Mindy grinning like a moron in the hallway.

  “Uh, hey. What’s up?” Jenna asked uncertainly.

  “I had sex with Fox,” Mindy blurted out, adding a happy little boogie at the end.

  “Already? Holy shit. Okay, we need wine and you’re going to tell me everything.” Jenna grabbed her arm and pulled Mindy in the apartment.

  Mindy plopped on the couch, secretly enjoying the residual ache from Fox’s thorough chastisement. Jenna came racing back with two glasses of wine. Shoving one into Mindy’s hand, she settled in at the other end of the couch facing Mindy. “Everything,” Jenna repeated, emphasizing each syllable.

  Mindy sipped her wine, unable to wipe the grin from her face. “I ran into him at the park. One thing led to another and we ended up back at his place.”

  “And? Was it good?”

  “It was amazing,” Mindy groaned. “I’ve never had such incredible orgasms—notice the plural—in my entire life.”

  “Tell me what he looks like naked. In excruciating detail.”

  “I can’t even explain it. Take the sexiest man you’ve ever seen and then just keep making him sexier until it’s like, impossible. And that might be close.”

  It was Jenna’s turn to groan. “I’m so jealous. That is a gorgeous man. So, what’s next?”

  Mindy sipped her wine again, debating how much to share. “I honestly don’t know.”

  “Well, are you going to see him again?”

  “Tomorrow, at the gym.”

  Jenna rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

  “We didn’t make plans. But he seems like he wants us to be, eh, together.”

  “You don’t sound excited.”

  “I am.” Mindy sighed and drained her wine. “It’s just really fast. And too soon.”

  Jenna watched her, taking another slow sip of her own wine. “Can I be a hundred percent honest with you?”

  “Of course.”

  “I think the reason you’re freaking out is Fox is the first guy who’s ever made you feel something stronger than mild interest. You’ve never fallen in love, and I’m not saying you are now, but you’re feeling something. And I think that terrifies you.”

  “What the hell are you talking about? I was in love with Todd. I wanted to marry him.”

  “Half true. You wanted to marry him because he ticked all your boxes.” Jenna held up a hand, marking each point with her fingers. “Smart, successful, respectful, sophisticated. Responsible. You’ve had the perfect guy picked out since you were thirteen, and he fit the bill. But you didn’t love him. Not real, true, swept off your feet, holding hands in the nursing home fifty years down the road, love.”

  “I need more wine.” Irritated by the turn the conversation had taken, Mindy pushed off the couch and stalked into the kitchen to pour a second glass of wine. S
he downed half of it, then stood and scowled at the glass.

  Jesus, was Jenna right? Had she just chosen Todd because he was safe and fit her criteria? It was mortifying to think she’d been so dull and predictable.

  “You okay?”

  She turned at Jenna’s voice. “Yeah. Other than realizing I almost hooked myself to the biggest jackass on the planet for the promise of a white picket fence and a retirement plan.”

  “We all have our faults,” Jenna said with a grin. “Look, kid. I get it. You had an unpredictable childhood, and you compensated by making your adult life as perfect and controlled as possible. But you can’t live your life like that. My advice? Don’t overthink it. Don’t try to control it. Take a damn chance.”

  Chapter 10

  The ringing of the alarm was like a knife in Mindy’s head. With a pained groan, she rolled over and hit the button to silence the beast. “Fuck me,” she moaned.

  She dragged her protesting body out of bed and to the kitchen. The idea of eating anything at all was out of the question, thanks to the gymnastics her stomach was currently engaged in. She downed a bottle of water, took some painkillers and then downed a second bottle. It took everything she had to pull her hair into a ponytail and get dressed for the gym. Thank God for her obsessively organized nature, which ensured she had an outfit for the day already picked out. Throwing everything in her bag, she headed to the gym. She prayed Fox would be in the back when she got there.

  But luck was not on her side.

  “Morning, princess,” he greeted her as soon as she walked in the door.

  “Morning.” Even her own voice was like nails on a chalkboard and she winced at the stab of pain in her temple.

  “You feeling okay, princess? You look a little pale.” His eyes narrowed as he approached her. “You look sick. I’m taking you home.”

  “I’m not sick, Fox. Just tired.”

  “Did you go home and go to bed like I told you?”

  Her stomach did yet another flip. “Not exactly.”

  “Explain.”

  “I made a tiny detour.” When he just crossed his arms and stared at her, she felt every bit the little girl she’d wanted to be. “I went to Jenna’s. I might have had a little to drink.”

  “Might have?” His voice was low and dangerous.

  “I had some wine.”

  “Were you supposed to go to Jenna’s and drink some wine? Or were you supposed to go home and go to bed like Daddy told you?”

  The pounding in her head intensified and she wanted to cry. “Go home,” she said quietly.

  He stalked past her and flipped the lock on the front door. With his hand cupping her elbow, he half-carried her to the locker room. “Put your bag down.”

  She obediently dropped the bag. Fox sat on the bench and yanked her down over his left knee. Before she could protest, her leggings were around her knees and his hand was slamming into her unprotected backside.

  “Daddy, no!” she wailed, reaching back to cover herself.

  He didn’t pause, even when he grabbed her wrist and pinned it to the small of her back. She was still tender from the paddling the night before, so it wasn’t long before she was close to her breaking point.

  “Do I have your attention, little girl?” Fox growled when he finally stopped spanking.

  Every ounce of her misery-laden attention. “Yes, D-daddy.”

  “When I tell you to go home, you go straight home. No detours.” He lit into her again, until she felt her breath begin to hitch. “You go to bed when I tell you to. Any questions?”

  “No, Daddy.”

  “Good. In addition to the spanking we’re about to finish up, you’re grounded for the rest of the weekend. If you need to leave your house, you call me first and I’ll decide if you’re allowed. You hear me, little girl?”

  “That’s not fair! I have things to do!”

  “You should’ve thought of that before you disobeyed your daddy.”

  What the hell was happening? This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. A spanking here and there, sure, that was fun and sexy, even if it hurt like hell. But grounded? “You can’t do that, Fox.”

  “But I am doing it. I told you before, Melinda Rose, this isn’t a game. I make the rules. You follow the rules. If you don’t, you’ll be punished, however I deem fit.”

  She felt him move under her, heard the zip of her bag and then his low chuckle.

  “Perfect.”

  Something stiff slapped against her bare skin, leaving behind an acute pain that immediately had her howling. He spanked her with whatever it was he’d found with short, fast strokes. Mindy fought against his hold, but he easily held her in place and it didn’t take long for her to break down over his knee. Between the pounding in her head and the stinging in her backside, she was more miserable than she’d ever been.

  But when he lifted her to sit on his lap, his strong arms wrapped around her as he rocked her, she realized she also felt calmer and more peaceful than she ever had. Her crying eventually abated, and she was left sniffling on her daddy’s lap.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you,” she said softly.

  “I know, princess.”

  “Am I really grounded?”

  “Yup. You’re to come straight here after work to get your workout in, then home, and you’re not to step foot outside that house unless I say otherwise.”

  Mindy frowned. “I’m not doing my workout now?”

  “No. You’re obviously not up to it and I won’t risk you hurting yourself. Go ahead and take a nice hot shower and get ready for work. I’ll come check on you in a bit. Don’t leave until I do.”

  “Okay, Daddy.” Guilt had her stomach doing more gymnastics. “Am I going to mess up your schedule tonight?”

  “I’ll have to make some adjustments, but nothing big.” He pressed a kiss to her hair. “Don’t worry about it, princess. Go get in the shower.”

  She nodded and climbed off his lap. It was then she noticed one of the flip flops she’d brought to wear in the shower sitting on the bench next to him. She looked from the sandal to him in confusion, giggling when the connection clicked in her mind. “Did you spank me with a sandal?”

  “Yup.” He grinned. “Worked like a charm, too. Have to keep that in mind.”

  Shaking her head, she gathered what she needed, including said sandal, and got in the shower. The water felt glorious and she couldn’t help the little moan that escaped.

  By the time she was dressed, her hangover was mostly gone. She was packing up her bag when Fox returned to the locker room. “Well, you don’t look like you’re going to pass out on my floor anymore,” he said, studying her.

  “I’m not. Sorry I screwed up our morning.”

  “It’s done. No more apologizing. Come here.” He held his arms open and she stepped into his embrace. “I have to say, I don’t hate the idea of seeing you twice in one day.”

  She tilted her head back and grinned. “It’s okay, I guess.”

  “Brat,” he muttered, reaching down to swat her bottom. Cupping her face with one hand, he drew her to him and lowered his lips to hers.

  It registered somewhere in her mind that Jenna really had been right. She’d never felt this with Todd, or any other man. Never felt her core quiver with need just at the feel of a man’s lips on hers. Giving in, she sank into the kiss, pushing aside the doubts and fears to just simply feel.

  “Be good,” Fox said hoarsely when the kiss ended.

  Mindy grinned and stretched to brush her lips against his one more time. “Yes, Daddy.”

  Despite being utterly exhausted, Mindy forced herself to make the trek to the gym that evening. When she walked in, she realized there was one glaring issue she’d neglected to consider when she had discussed this with Fox that morning. At five thirty in the evening, his gym was packed. There were at least ten huge, hulking males lifting and grunting their way through their workouts.

  Okay, so she’d just slowly back out of the fro
nt door and go home. And if Fox wanted to bust her ass for it, well, she’d just accept that.

  As if thinking his name had somehow conjured him, Fox chose that moment to walk out of his office. His gaze immediately locked on hers and he raised an eyebrow as if he somehow knew what she’d been thinking. He jerked his head toward the locker room and she knew she was stuck. If she tried to bolt now, he’d just come after her and she wouldn’t put it past him to physically haul her back to the gym.

  Attempting to make herself as small and invisible as possible, Mindy made her way to the locker room. She changed as slowly as she could, taking her time to fold each item of clothing as she removed it.

  When she couldn’t stall any longer, she took a deep breath and walked back into the gym. A few of the men flicked glances her way, then immediately went back to their workouts. Okay, maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

  “Treadmill, princess.” Fox’s voice directly behind her made her jump. She wordlessly went to one of the treadmills and hopped on. Fox came to stand by the front of the machine, watching her.

  “Took your time getting out here,” he commented, his voice quiet enough so only she could hear.

  Mindy shrugged and tried to focus on not embarrassing them both by passing out on the damn treadmill. Fox glanced down at the readout and shook his head. “Pick up the pace, princess.”

  With a glare for him that he returned with his own stoic stare, she bumped the speed up a couple notches. After sweating through her warmup, he proceeded to kick her ass with a weight routine that made her already sore muscles want to weep.

  “You can do better than that, princess. There’s no half-ass lunges in my gym.”

  She wanted to throw the weights at his stupid face. He didn’t have to be such an asshole about it. Gritting her teeth, she pushed through the set.

  “Not bad. Not good, but not bad, either.”

  “Fuck you, Fox,” she said, glaring at him in the reflection. The only outward sign that he’d even heard her was a muscle in his jaw that twitched.

  He took her through the final set and she’d never been so glad to be done with anything in her entire life. That euphoria lasted all of five seconds.