Adopting Katie Read online

  Eventually, the flow of tears subsided, and she rose from the floor to wash her face. The tear-stained expression that stared back at her from the mirror was filled with guilt. Up to this point, she had been unsure he would follow through with his threats but now all doubts were removed; he was a man of his word and would not hesitate in holding her accountable. The realization was both comforting and frightening, and guilt began to take over. There was no denying that she deserved every swat, but could it be that she knew in her heart that he had been deliberately lenient?

  A soft knock on the door startled her. “Sweetheart? Are you okay? Talk to me.”

  “I don’t wanna.”

  A loud sigh was heard. “You’re going to have to come out sooner or later. I’m sure you have a lot going through your mind that you need to discuss.”

  “I said I don’t want to talk!” she snapped. Holding her breath, she waited for the scolding for the attitude. What was wrong with her?

  “Very well. When you’re ready, I’ll be out here waiting for you.”

  Staring at the closed door, Katie let her mouth fall open. Her remorse grew, along with her curiosity. On the top of the vanity sat her hairbrush. Picking it up, she turned it over in her hands. How could she even think about asking him to spank her with it, especially after experiencing the burn of his hand? This would surely kill her, but what else would help rid herself of the guilt for purposefully pushing him to this point? There was only one way to find out. Decision made, she reluctantly left her haven, brush in hand.

  Mark had changed into some comfortable clothes and glued his attention to her as she shuffled out of the bathroom. Both of her hands flew behind her back and pressed against the fading sting of her backside while her gaze automatically lowered to the floor. She was not ready to look him in the eye and began to shift back and forth with discomfort.

  “Come here, baby girl.” She shook her head still staring at the fuzzy carpet. “Are you sure? I know you could use some cuddles after what just happened.”

  Mustering up the courage to meet Mark’s gaze, she found what her heart required. His eyes were tender and loving and broke through the feelings of guilt and inadequacy. He wanted and loved her, and one stupid mistake hadn’t changed his feelings. The brush slipped out of her hands as she melted into helpless weeping and ran to the refuge of his arms. Wrapping his body around her, he became a human shield protecting her from danger.

  When her hiccupping sobs turned to broken sniffles, he rose to pick up the discarded brush and offered her a questioning look. “Why did you bring this out?”

  “I thought maybe you would brush my hair for me,” she fibbed.

  Mark sat on the couch and coaxed her to stand between his knees with his hands on her hips. “Katie, look at me, please. Lying is not the smartest move to take when I already have a hairbrush and a little pink bottom at my disposal.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat before she could respond. Her words stuttered with a childlike tone. “When I was in the bathroom, I felt like maybe you were not hard enough on me because I still felt guilty, but then the cuddles fixed the guilty.”

  “After-spanking cuddles are just as important as the spanking itself for relieving guilt. They are also the only part of a naughty-girl spanking that I enjoy giving.” As he talked, he massaged her with his thumbs, bringing about a sense of comfort.

  “Really? Well then maybe next time we can skip the spanking and just cuddle,” she retorted.

  Shaking his head, he turned her back to him and chuckled as her hands immediately flew back to protect her behind. “No, please, don’t. Please, I’m gonna be good. I promise.”

  He tugged on her arm and gently forced her to kneel on the ground. “Calm down, little girl. Back up a little bit and sit down.”

  She obeyed and felt the brush slowly glide through her hair. The gentle strokes soothed away the fear and anxiety, and she relaxed, allowing the rest of the world fade from her thoughts.

  Chapter One

  Five Years Later

  “And they all lived happily ever after. The end.”

  The book closed and Katie’s eyes sprang open. “One more, Daddy! Please!” she begged, clasping her hands in front of her chin.

  “It’s always ‘one more,’ little girl. No more.”

  “But look how cute I am!”

  “You are, but it’s nap time,” he said with a laugh while tucking the blanket around her. Arms crossed and pout in place, Katie made her feelings known without saying another word.

  Mark shook his head and kissed her forehead. “You’ve gotten very good at making the faces but you know it doesn’t get you what you want. It’s only a nap so stop being so dramatic. My little girl needs some rest so I can take my big girl shopping later.”

  “Oh yeah! I forgot about that!”

  “Sure you did. Time to rest.”

  “But I’m not tired! We can go now.” Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she began to slide off the mattress.

  “If those toes touch the ground before naptime is over, then you will be sleeping on your tummy, and we will forgo shopping until you learn to mind me.”

  Katie quickly yanked her feet back onto the bed and flopped backward while tugging the blanket to cover her face. “Fine, have it your way,” she muttered from under the blanket.

  “Good choice. I love you, and I’ll come get you in about an hour.”

  “Love you more even though you’re mean.”

  Mark closed the curtains to dim the room. “Sweet dreams, baby girl.”

  Smiling into the pillow, Katie reflected on the perfection of her marriage and lifestyle they had shared for nearly five years. While the outside world viewed Katelyn as a powerful CEO, she was simply little Katie to her husband and their friends who also practiced the age-play dynamic. When in her Little mode, she became a six-year-old girl who loved arts and crafts, built Legos, squealed happily over the color orange and played with her stuffed animals in the tree house built for her by her husband.

  The freedom to shed her stress and worries began the second her adult day ended, and she stepped over the threshold of their home. There she was allowed to be a carefree, mischievous little mess maker. She giggled, remembering the happy-face peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that Daddy slipped into her lunch and the last sleepover with Auntie Rose and Uncle Keith. They woke her up to Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes for breakfast. Another sleepover would be fun—it had been a long time.

  Before she knew it, she was waking from the restful nap. Throwing the blanket from her body, she stretched her arms and hopped out of bed to go to the bathroom. A glance in the mirror made her giggle. Her hair stuck up like a punk rocker’s and required some serious combing to smooth it down. Venturing back into the bedroom, she began to dress for their shopping trip. Mark walked in right as she pulled the oversized strawberry shortcake sleep shirt over her head and tossed it into the hamper. His whistle at the sight of her half naked body made her face redden from chin to forehead.

  “Stop it. We have things to do,” she scolded.

  “Stop what? You’re the one standing there naked. I still can’t get over how embarrassed you get when I respond to your body. It’s beautiful and easily distracts me.” He shrugged as he continued to peruse her form with his eyes. “It’s cold outside. Make sure to dress warmly.”

  “Got it, thank you for the weather report,” she retorted as she rolled her eyes.

  “Watch the sass.”

  “Make me,” she said as she dodged the playful swat. She often sassed back as part of their play, especially when she slipped from being a Little to a Big girl. As she had told him on multiple occasions, talking back was a requirement to help her transition. He didn’t buy the excuse, but it was usually fun trying!

  A tiny smile crossed her face as she considered the sense of safety and love that Mark shared with her every time he took the bossy position of watching out for her well-being. The change that occurred when they swit
ched from Big and Little to Husband and Wife was evident. They embraced the belief that each time was sacred on its own and never sullied their interactions by blurring the lines between the two different dynamics.

  “Are you ready yet?” he asked, glancing at his watch.

  “Baby, I was born ready,” she snickered in return, emerging from the closet dressed in a pair of wooly leggings and an oversized sweater. She boldly planted her lips on his and grabbed his ass to pull him in for a kiss. As soon as she felt his manhood press against her through his pants, she pulled away. “Are you just going to stand there? Let’s go shopping.”

  She skipped out of the room, leaving him speechless. Yes, her life was perfect.

  ***

  Exhausted but happy from an afternoon filled with her favorite pastime, Katelyn put away their purchases, kicked off her boots, and flopped onto the fluffy down comforter of her bed. She heard Mark enter the room and peeked through one eye to see what he was doing.

  “I have a surprise for you.” The look on his face was of pure joy as he pulled a box wrapped in newspaper and tied with an orange bow out of his closet. The word ‘surprise’ instantly transformed her from Katelyn to Little Katie.

  “I love surprises!” She clapped, sitting up and crossing her legs under her body. Grinning from ear to ear, he set the box in front of her on the bed. “Actually, this surprise involves both of us. Why are you rolling your eyes? Open it. I promise that it won’t bite.”

  His excitement made her a little suspicious, and she kept her eyes glued to his face as she tore into the paper. Glancing down, she swallowed a groan. He had been on a never-ending quest for the obnoxious Smurf sleeper that he had teased her about for years.

  Smashing the lid to the box back into place, she tossed the offending object on the floor. “You didn’t, Mark. Please tell me you didn’t. I know you think it’s hilarious that the Smurfs gave me nightmares when I was a kid, but I loathe them. You also know my feelings about sleepers after I tried one on for you ages ago. They are bulky and unflattering, and I don’t need to wear something that makes me feel even more insecure about my body. Why would you do this?”

  His smile turned sinister as he picked the box up and placed it in her arms. Nudging her toward the bathroom, he said “Go put it on. I can’t wait to see it.” His chuckle nearly pushed her temper past its brink, but the look of determination in his eyes forced her to control the words she desperately wanted to speak. The brewing anger was kept to a growl as she stomped into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her.

  Despite the soft comfort of the sleeper, one look in the mirror gave her the undeniable urge to burn it. It was awful! Wearing the hideous piece was out of the question, and as soon as it was shown to Mark to appease this little sadistic streak, it was coming off and being hidden for all eternity.

  Emerging from the bathroom, she spread her arms and sarcastically spouted, “There! Are you happy now?”

  Mark beamed. “You look adorable!”

  Katie’s face reflected that of a sulky six-year-old. Growling between clenched teeth, she said: “I look like a cow dressed as a blue baby for Halloween!”

  Mark cocked his eyebrow. “You know my rules against saying anything negative about yourself. Go stand in the corner.”

  Outwardly refusing to move, she glared at him with her arms crossed. Within a second’s notice, he grasped her earlobe and marched her to the naughty girl’s corner.

  “Ow! Let go!” she demanded, grabbing his wrist to relieve some of the pull on her ear.

  “Hands behind your back. I don’t know how many times I’ve told you that if you don’t obey me immediately, you will suffer the consequences. Don’t move.”

  Throwing caution (and common sense) to the wind, Katie permitted her anger and defiance to take control. She kicked the wall and cringed when pain shot up her leg.

  “Really? That’s your response? Apparently, you need more incentive to behave. Get your hairbrush. Do it now, young lady.”

  She whipped around, suddenly regretting her choice to act out. “No! I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. Please don’t!” she pleaded.

  “Mind me.” He pointed to the bathroom. “I don’t like having to repeat myself, little girl. Go. Now.” Apparently, his patience had come to an end. “If I count to three and you are not standing in front of me with that brush in your hands and a contrite attitude, you are not going to be happy with the outcome. One….”

  She shuffled, in slow motion, into the bathroom and picked up the brush.

  “Two…” The low tone of his voice gave warning not to test his promise. She skittered out of the bathroom and stood before him with her eyes on her Smurf encased feet.

  He tilted her chin to meet her eye to eye. “I do not like hearing you talk negatively about yourself. Is that something that I have not made clear to you?”

  “No, it was clear. I’m sorry. I really am. You know how I feel about my body. Why would you do this to me?”

  “I am helping you to see yourself as I see you. I don’t like you hiding in the bathroom when you get dressed or being embarrassed when you are naked in front of me. You’re beautiful to every last inch.”

  “You don’t understand.” A tear rolled down her cheek. “I can’t just shake off how I see myself. This thing emphasizes my insecurities. It makes me feel fat and ugly.”

  “Do you believe that I would ever do anything that would cause you harm?”

  “No, but…”

  “I want you to take that brush and hold it in the corner and think long and hard about your recent choices. March.”

  Katie quickly obeyed, relieved to be free of his disapproving glare. The conversation replayed in her mind, including her behavior and excuses, and she was stricken with guilt. Mark had gone out of his way to find and purchase a gift that he intended to help raise her from her apprehension and low self-esteem. It also brought him joy and instead of considering his happiness and showing appreciation, she responded like a spoiled brat. The tears came fast and furious before gradually reducing to unhappy sniffles. The ten minutes in the corner were absolute hell, but his call to return to him assured her that she was in no way prepared to face his discipline. Pressing closer to the corner, she willed the wall to open up and swallow her whole.

  “Katie, front and center.”

  The wall must like Daddies more than little girls because it did nothing to help her. Turning, she slowly walked to him. Her grip on the brush turned her knuckles white, and she did all she could to avoid eye contact.

  Clearing his throat, he asked, “What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “I’m sorry I acted like a brat. Thank you for the jammies.”

  Taking the implement from her hand, he grasped her shoulder and turned her away. Aiming the flat part of the hairbrush at the roundest part of her bottom cheek, he gave it a sound whack over the thick material of the sleeper. She jumped at the impact and quickly tried to protect her bottom by turning around to face him again.

  “You’re welcome, but that is not what I meant. Give me the answer I’m looking for, or I’ll change my mind about using my hand and give you a hairbrush spanking on the bare bottom instead.”

  Despite her protests, her body responded to the thudding sting and his stern words and had to fight the desire to jump into his lap and allow her ‘big girl’ to apologize in a way that only she could. Mark knowingly raised his eyebrows, and she quickly curtailed her arousal to answer his question, but pressing her thighs together did nothing to relieve the longing ache.

  “Okay! I’m sorry for talking badly about myself. I know it doesn’t help my self-image when I say things like that and need to trust you when you tell me how I look because you would never lie to me.”

  “And?” His expression informed her that she was unsuccessful in hiding her burning need. She also knew his mind was focused on discipline and would not shift until he was ready.

  Katie swallowed, “And I know better than to ignore an ord
er and throw a fit while in the corner.”

  “Thank you. That’s precisely what I was looking for from you. How many times have we had this discussion?” he asked, slowly flipping the brush in his hand. She shrugged and looked away, resisting his hand on her chin that would force her to face him and speak honestly. “Answer me, young lady.”

  She muttered, “A few.”

  He shook his head. “It has been more than a few and each time I’ve had to put you across my knee to make you understand that I was serious about this. What did I tell you the last time this happened, little girl?”

  “You said you would spank me again,” she whispered. Her voice had taken a vacation and left her to her fate.

  “That’s right. What did I say specifically?” His voice got deeper and more severe with each statement.

  “You said I would get a spanking with a hairbrush, but you don’t need to. I won’t do it again! I promise.”

  “When I tell you something, I mean it. I am going to spank you because I love you, and I can’t let you keep saying negative things about yourself. It hurts me and suggests that I am lying to you. Have I ever lied to you?”

  “No. I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize that it affected you. I swear—I won’t ever say anything against myself again.”

  “I think it’s a bit late for that. Where do naughty little girls get spanked?”

  She whined, “Daddy, stop.”

  “Don’t make me ask you again. You know what I want you to say.”

  The words that came out of her mouth could only be described as a pathetic whimper as the heat in her face increased. “On the bare bottom.”

  “Correct. Naughty little girls get spanked on the bare bottom.” Mark set the brush to the side, giving her a modicum of relief. Unbuttoning the back flap of the sleeper, he exposed a pair of cute pink panties before tipping her over his knee and positioning her in place.

  “Please, please don’t.” She wiggled and begged in one final effort

  “You were warned. What would you think of me if I didn’t follow through?”