I moved back quickly, not afraid, but full of thrill and the temptation to challenge her.
“If you want to be spanked right here and now, keep that up, brat.”
I licked my lips, and then bit the side of my lower one. But I didn’t move.
When she sat down the bags, I hurried toward her, unsure if I could truly handle what she was prepared to dish out right here.
“Sorry, Daddy,” I said quickly, looking down toward the floor, nervously twiddling my fingers.
She tipped my chin up, making me look into her eyes. “You know that I’d never hurt you, right?”
“Yes. I didn’t think you would.”
“Then?”
“As much as I would like to have you punish me in a fun way, I’m not sure I’m at a place where I can handle it in public,” I admitted.
“You’ll take whatever, whenever. Trust that I’ll keep the rules in mind, and that I’ll always keep you safe.” She nibbled my lips before briefly kissing me again.
“Yes, Daddy,” I whispered, missing her lips already.
Our next stop was the theater. The sign announcedFinding Nemo, and my stomach did another flip.
“You brought me to see a movie?” I asked, half shy, half delighted.
Her grin was sly. “Seemed fitting. Besides, it’s a classic. Everyone needs a little Nemo in their life.”
Inside, she let me pick a fleece blanket from the display case. I chose one that was soft and black, patterned with tiny silver stars. She gave permission for popcorn and candy for me, but her only instruction was, “Don’t fill up too much. We’ll be having dinner soon”
We settled into the seats, the blanket spread over us both. Daddy pulled me close, her arm around me, warmth and safety radiating from her body. I curled into her side, my head on her shoulder, popcorn balanced between us, and I nursed a soda and pretended not to be nervous.
The scent of buttered popcorn hung heavily in the air. Daddy’s long legs stretched out. She looked impossibly relaxed—like she owned the whole damn room. Which in a way, she kind of did.
“Relax,” Daddy murmured, noticing my fidgeting. “No reason to be shy, little one.”
Before I could answer, the door swung open, and Master Derek filled the space with nothing but his presence. Broad shoulders. Perfect posture. That calm, commanding energy that made everyone instinctively straighten up. Sadie was tuckedunder his arm—bright smile, pigtails and that mischievous glint in her eyes that made me understand why half the Ranch whispered about her adventures.
“Well, I’ll be,” Master Derek drawled, grin easy as he looked toward Daddy. “Didn’t think I’d seeyouin a movie room, Vasiah. Thought you only showed up for training sessions or the occasional lecture.”
Daddy smirked. “Even I need downtime, Derek. Besides, someone promised me the popcorn was worth the trip.”
Sadie laughed as she sank into the seats across from us. “He makes a mean bowl. Don’t let him fool you—he’s a secret softie when it comes to movie nights.”
“Now, angel,” Master Derek said in that low, measured tone that was both warning and affection. “You keep spreading lies like that and people will start expecting me to smile.”
Sadie shot him a playful look. “You smiled yesterday.”
“That was indigestion,” he said dryly, earning a laugh from Daddy and an unintentional snort from me.
Master Derek’s gaze shifted to me then—steady, assessing, but not unkind. “And, Seraphina, you must be the Little one responsible for getting her in here.”
My throat tightened. “Yes, Sir.”
He gave a slow nod, approval in the simple gesture. “Heard good things about you. You’re the one Mistress V has been working with, right?”
“Yes, Sir,” I said again because words felt safer when they were few.
Sadie leaned forward, her smile soft. “It’s nice to officially meet you. I’ve heard you’ve been doing some growing—and even been to a tea party.”
