Chapter Three
“One!” Noelle’s cry at the first stroke of the paddle was far louder than her earlier ones had been.
“Two!”
“Three!”
“Daddy! Please!” she gasped as the fourth was delivered to skin that already felt swollen and so very hot.
“Number, Noelle, or we start over.”
“Four!”
“Good girl,” her daddy said before lifting the horrid paddle again.
“Five!” She gripped the desk’s edge tighter, wanting nothing more than to fling her hands back to cover herself, to avoid even one swat, but knowing to do so would simply give him a reason to begin the paddling from the count of one.
“Ahh, six! Please, please…” she pleaded, very grateful that they were so far away from the festivities and guests, knowing that her cries were loud, the sound of a paddle striking bare flesh distinct, both easily telegraphing that she, an adult woman, was getting her heinie paddled like a naughty child.
He ignored her entreaties, continuing to lift and lower the paddle against her ass which she could no longer hold still, swinging her hips side to side and up and down in the timeless dance of attempting to cool the intense fire he was stoking. At her cry of “ten” he paused long enough to instruct her to settle and accept the punishment her naughtiness had earned.
Her words were stuttering and interrupted by tears but she managed to say, “Yes, Daddy,” before the second half of her paddling began. By fifteen, she was sure she’d never ever sit again and by twenty, she had collapsed across the desk, sobbing out numbers that were barely intelligible. It took her several moments to realize the paddle had stopped falling, and that instead, her daddy’s large hand was laying across her punished nates. With a final pat, he pulled her up and she collapsed against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his crisp white shirt.
“I’m sorry!” she sobbed.
“Shh, it’s over, little one,” he soothed before scooping her up and carrying her the short distance to one of the armchairs. Taking a seat, he settled her on his lap, and when she hissed as her bottom took her weight, he rolled her towards his chest.
Her ass was on fire, but her heart was filled with love for the man who had lit the match. He never relented when she’d earned a spanking, never hesitated to turn her butt into an inferno, and yet he also never failed to hold and comfort her after the punishment was done. She cuddled into him, her tears slowing until finally she was only giving the occasional sniffle. A white square of cloth appeared before her as he moved her back just far enough to use the handkerchief to wipe her tears before holding it to her nose.
“Blow.”
She obeyed, the gesture yet another she associated with a little girl who’d been spanked to tears and needed to clear her nose.
“Thank you,” she said once he’d tucked the cloth back into his pocket.
“You’re welcome,” he said, bending to give her forehead another kiss. “Are you all right?”
Noelle didn’t even hesitate to nod. “Yes, Daddy. I’m good… my bottom hurts something awful, but I’m okay.”
His chuckle sounded so much nicer than those awful cracks of the paddle, and she looked up at him. “I really am sorry. I know I should never have climbed that ladder.”
“I’m sure you’ll let this remind you of those words the next time you’re tempted,” he said, moving a hand to pat against a tender nether cheek.
They sat for a few more minutes before he kissed her again, this time on the lips. Her entire body responded, her tummy flipping and additional heat zipping to settle between her legs. She moaned as his tongue traced along the seam of her lips, opening her mouth to invite him inside. However, he declined the invitation, pulling away and lifting her off his lap to stand before him. She was momentarily disappointed until she remembered that they weren’t in his office at home. Heat suffused her face at the realization that she’d been bared and paddled in Mr. Manforth’s private domain—her butt set on fire by an implement taken from the director’s desk.
“What are you blushing about?” Davis asked, his hands at her waist.
“I can’t… do you think… does he spank his wife?” she asked, her eyes going to the paddle that was now lying on the desk where she’d been positioned a short time earlier.
“Like I said, he’s an old family friend and, like the rest of us Waterfords, believes that old-fashioned ways are still the best.” At her soft moan, he took her chin between his fingers and turned her attention to him. “You don’t need to worry, Noelle. Charles will not think less of you because you got your bottom spanked.”
“But I’m so embarrassed,” she said.
He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose. “Then, I suggest, you remember that feeling, and let both it and your little red ass remind you to be a good girl, all right?”
“I-I’ll try,” she said, still positive she’d never be able to look the director in the eyes again.
“Good girl, now lift your dress.”
This time, she lifted the satin much faster, knowing that her punishment was done. She’d been forgiven and now had a clean slate. Expecting him to pull up her panties, she was surprised when he dragged them to her feet instead.
“Step out,” he instructed, and as she lifted each foot, he slid the panties over her shoes, leaving her totally bare beneath her dress. He laid his palm on her bottom. “With your green dress and red ass, you look just like a Christmas ornament.”
“Daddy!” she said, a bit shocked and yet having to bite back a giggle.
He grinned, lifted the panties to his nose, and inhaled. “I do believe I like this scent even more than those garlands hanging everywhere.”
“Daddy! I need those!” she couldn’t help but say, feeling moisture gather between her legs as he tucked the panties into his pocket.
“Don’t Daddy me, little girl,” he said, taking the fabric of her dress from her hands and allowing it to cascade to the floor. “Going without your panties will remind you what happens when you choose to be naughty and not nice.”
Noelle couldn’t help but wonder if she’d ever stop blushing, knowing she’d be keenly aware of her nakedness beneath the satin. After he returned the paddle to the drawer, he took her hand.
“I sure hope for your sake that Charles hasn’t scarfed down all those crab cakes.”
“My sake?” she asked as he flipped the lock open and the light switch down before opening the door.
“Yes,” he said, pulling her to him, allowing her to feel the hardness of his cock pressing against her stomach. “I’ve got to satisfy some of my hunger.”
She moaned, his erection causing her pussy to leak and her nipples to press against her gown. “We could always slip away early,” she suggested, wanting nothing more than to go home.
“Nope,” Davis said, stepping back and then leading her out the door. “You and your team did a great job decorating this place, and I’ve not yet seen it all. Besides, it will do my little girl good to walk around praying that her sweet little pussy isn’t leaking everywhere.” With an arm wrapped around her waist, he led her back the way they’d come, and ignoring her mouth which had dropped open at his blatant words, he said, “Now, which way did you say the punch was?”
It wasn’t until they stepped back into the crowd and were accepting glasses of punch that she realized he had effectively taken her mind off the fear she’d be embarrassed about her spanking. No, instead, she knew she’d spend the rest of the evening worrying if her arousal was evident or if the back of her dress was damp from the cream she could feel slickening the inside of her thighs every single time she pressed them together in a futile attempt to assuage her growing need to be taken.
The shouts of children announced the arrival of the guest of honor, and Noelle and Davis joined the others as they entered another room of the museum. Noelle smiled at the murmurs of approval she heard as people looked around. She and her team had worked hard to transform the room into the North Pole while incorporating artifacts of the museum. A huge antique chair, once gracing a castle keep in Europe sat on a raised platform, its golden arms gleaming, the burgundy brocade of its seat and back waiting to be enjoyed by the jolly man in red walking across the room. Children clapped and moved to line up, eyes roving between Santa Claus and the other objects.
A large igloo had been erected off to one side in front of a huge glass display case that held a family of polar bears. Charles had been gracious, allowing her total freedom to adjust his displays and not caring a whit about the fact that the child-sized mannequins she’d dressed as elves were standing around the room. Some had decorations in hand, a few wielded tools used to make toys, and others were on ladders as they worked to string lights above the igloo village they’d created. A huge sleigh, an original piece from Finland, sat to the other side, a team of reindeer in front, gleaming brass bells hanging from leather harnesses. The bed of the sleigh was filled with gaily-wrapped packages.
“This is pretty incredible,” Davis said, giving her a squeeze. “You’ve done an outstanding job.”
“I’m so glad everyone seems to like it,” Noelle said.
“I’d say they love it,” a voice said from behind them. “Charles is right. You make quite the elf, Miss Atwell.”
Noelle stepped away from Davis long enough to accept the hug from the older woman. “Thank you, Mrs. Manforth. I can’t tell you what it means to me and my team that everything turned out so nicely. Your husband is such a generous man.”
“That he is,” Beatrice agreed. “This museum might seem quite stuffy at times, but you’ve brought a lot of joy here tonight. If you don’t believe me, just look at Santa Claus. He hasn’t had this much fun in ages.”
The three turned their attention to the man taking his place, a loud ho-ho-hoing echoing across the room. Santa was none other than the museum director with a huge grin on his face as he opened his arms to welcome the first little girl in line up onto his lap.
“He looks perfect,” Noelle said, meaning every word. “Oh, wait, I forgot! Where are the candy canes?”
“They’re in Santa’s sack, of course,” Beatrice said. “You haven’t forgotten a thing, honey. You’ve done enough work, just enjoy the party.” After another hug, the older woman went to join her husband. As each child was lifted from Santa’s lap, she’d hand him or her a small bag that contained some item to remind them of their night at the museum and were tied with bright red ribbons that held a candy cane. After receiving their candy, each child was led to the sleigh by a young woman where two young men, would ask their name, search among the packages in the sleigh and then hand them a gift.
Davis chuckled. “Just as I said, if you can convince those guys to dress up in tights, pointy hats and ears and elf shoes, I’m positive they would have no trouble keeping their boss off any ladder.”
“Believe me, I’ll be asking them,” Noelle said, the throbbing of her backside momentarily taking her mind off the pulsing between her legs. She had to admit, she was very proud of the young men who were making sure each child left with a huge smile on their face. Noelle watched for a few more minutes before she and Davis joined the guests to look at the rest of the exhibits opened for this special evening.
From the amount of compliments she received, Davis grinned and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Your efforts are going to bring in a lot of donations. Well done, little one.”
With a huff, Noelle reached back to give her bottom a gentle rub. “I guess it was worth it then.”
Her daddy laughed and reached to take her hand, lifting it to give her palm a kiss. “No rubbing. Daddy lit that fire on your bottom on purpose. You just let it burn.”
“Yes, sir,” she whispered back.
“Good girl,” he said. “Maybe you should go sit on Santa’s lap and apologize for his near heart attack.”
Noelle groaned, but shook her head. “I’m afraid if I tried to sit on Santa’s lap, I’d yelp and scare his reindeer, but I promise I will apologize.”
Davis’ chuckle had heads turning in their direction and her face flushing as he patted her bottom before giving one globe a gentle squeeze that caused her to gasp. “And thank him for the use of what was in his naughty girl drawer?”
“What?” she gasped and then saw his eyes twinkling and his lips curling up into a grin. Slapping his arm, she shook her head even as she giggled and, ignoring the looks of some of the guests, lifted herself onto her tiptoes to kiss his cheek and whisper, “Now who’s being the naughty one? It isn’t nice to tease.”
“Baby, I can’t help it. You are just too adorable when your face is as flushed as your rump. But, I promise, I’ll make it up to you later,” he said, his eyebrow lifting, threatening to turn her into a puddle of goo at his feet.
Every move she made had Noelle conscious of her growing arousal. Her nipples refused to be anything but puckered against the satin, their hard points thankfully concealed within the pleats of the gown’s bodice. Her bottom was tender and felt swollen as the fabric swished across it with every step. It took all her concentration not to constantly look down as if terrified she’d see drops of her cream leaving a trail as Davis led her from group to group, pausing to chat, to exchange best wishes for the holidays before moving to the next. Finally, the last of the children had received their gifts and the party was beginning to wind down.
Santa and his wife joined them, both with smiles on their faces. Charles pulled her out of Davis’ embrace and into his own, planting a kiss on her forehead. “Fabulous party, the best ever. Thank you, my dear.”
“Thank you, Santa,” Noelle said. “I’m so glad it was a success.”
“It was and, you, my dear, are the reason. You’re practically glowing!” Beatrice said with enthusiasm.
“Thank you,” Noelle said. “I do want to apologize for this afternoon. I would have felt just awful if I’d caused you injury.”
“Apology accepted,” Charles said, giving her a smile. “If I know your young man, and I do believe I know him very well, I’m positive he’s taken care of the situation. I’ve always said it takes nothing but a man’s love and firm hand to help his little one remember to be a good girl. Even an angel such as yourself will make the occasional bad choice. Your Davis is a very lucky man.”
Her face flamed as she understood he knew exactly what had transpired in his office. But, as he hugged her again, she realized she didn’t feel embarrassed. How could she? He was right. It had taken a man… one particular man… to teach her that with unconditional love and consistent guidance, life was worth living. She gave Charles’ cheek a kiss and then stepped back, leaning easily into the man she loved with her entire being. “You’re a wise man, Santa, but I’m the lucky one.”
The couples parted ways: Charles and Beatrice to make sure they said their goodbyes and gave thanks to every guest and Noelle to express her gratitude to her team and give them final instructions on cleaning up as Davis retrieved her cloak.
“Ready?” he asked, settling it over her shoulders and tying the ribbon at her throat.
“Absolutely,” she said, tucking her arm through his as they left the museum to stand on the marble steps. “Oh, it got colder!” she said, pulling the cloak tighter.
“Or else that fire down below is beginning to cool,” he suggested, laughing as she began to roll her eyes and just barely managed to stop herself. “Good catch,” he teased before tightening his arm at her waist when her ankle turned a bit on a step. Ignoring her squeal, he scooped her up into his arms to carry her down the rest of the stairs.
“I can walk!” she protested as people passed them on their own journey down.
“Ah, the real question is, do you want me to put you down just long enough to reignite your little furnace or be a good girl and let me carry you safely down these steps?”
“Um, I’m not sure. If you’re talking about my backside, no thank you, it’s still quite warm. However, if you’re taking about…” Her brashness ended when his eyebrow waggled and she realized that he might not have been teasing. “Um, thank you for carrying me, Daddy.”
“You’re welcome, babygirl.”