“I can’t really argue otherwise.” I laugh and pull her hand close so I can kiss it. “I’ll try to be a good patient.”
“You better be. Or else you might be the one that gets the next spanking.” She winks at me.
“Not happening.” I shake my head and narrow my eyes at her. “I’ll have you back over my knee in no time.”
“Then I’ll have to be extra naughty, won’t I?” She slides her hand down to my crotch. “To motivate you to get better in record time.”
“Careful.” I exhale sharply and let my hand drift down to her ass—where I manage just a little strength for one good smack.
“Is it going to be weird if I still call you Daddy?” Kiana bites down on her bottom lip and grins.
“Not if we keep that between us.” I squeeze her ass and pull her in for a hug.
Everything was worth it for this moment. I have the woman I love in my arms. She won’t leave them again.
Ever.
Epilogue
Kiana
One year later
“Hey, Mom. Are you okay?” I walk into the kitchen of the house I grew up in. “I knocked, but you didn’t answer.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I was lost in my own little world.” She turns to face me, and I see photographs spread out on the table in front of her.
“Why are you looking at my baby pictures?” I raise an eyebrow as I sit down.
“That, obviously…” She motions to the engagement ring on my left hand. “It wouldn’t be a wedding without a few pictures to embarrass you with.”
“At least pick some where I’m fully dressed.” I pick up one of me in the tub. “This is downright scandalous!”
“Don’t be silly.” She laughs. “Now, if I can just get some of Bram to go with them…”
“Good luck with that.” I roll my eyes. “I haven’t seen any myself.”
“Did you share the news with your father?” My mother’s smile spreads into a thin line.
“Yeah, I talked with him.” I nod.
“Is he doing okay?” She tilts her head slightly.
“You could call him yourself, if you really want to know.” I shrug.
“That ship has sailed, sweetheart.” She shakes her head. “We had our moment, and I don’t regret a single bit of it, but some things can’t be forgiven.”
“That’s not entirely true.” I sigh. “It’s taken a lot, but I forgave him. Just like I forgave you…”
“It’s different. You may not understand that right now, but it had been coming for a long time before we had that fight.” She looks down at the pictures. “I finally had, had enough.”
I understand where my mother is coming from, even if she doesn’t fully believe that I do. Now that I know they had constant problems—problems that stayed behind closed doors, but often were the reason they lashed out at me the way that they did—I get why she can’t forgive as easily as I was able to.
It doesn’t stop me from wishing that my parents could put all of this behind them and find the love they once shared.
Seeing both of them alone just seems so strange.
“This is a good one.” I pick up my class picture from second grade.
“I can’t even see you because that kid has such a big head!” She laughs and squints at the picture.
“That’s why it’s a good one!” I burst out laughing.
Having a relationship with my mom has been a lot easier without my father constantly hovering around. I can’t deny that. On the other side of this broken home, it’s been easier to have a relationship with my father as well—mainly because he’s come to terms with all of the mistakes he made. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to forgive them for the way they treated me, but some grudges aren’t worth holding.
And some are.
I haven’t heard from Hudson since he left the hospital. I don’t even know if he called to check on our father, or if he just started a new life elsewhere with all of us permanently in the rearview mirror.
I guess it’s easier that way. I wish him the best, but he wouldn’t get an invitation to my wedding, even if I knew his address.
He left too much hurt behind.
“Kiana, is that you?” I hear Bram’s voice when I walk into his house—our house now.
“I sure hope you aren’t expecting anyone else.” I close the door and smile as he steps out of the library.
“No.” He laughs. “The only person who should be coming through my door is the future Mrs. Kiana Ward.”
“Good.” I step into his arms. “I’d hate to have to give you another scar to match the one you already have.”
“Threatening violence before our wedding day? That’s not a good sign.” He feigns concern.
“You could always take me upstairs and make me very, very sorry.” I grin and lean against his ear. “Daddy…”
“You’re never going to stop being a naughty girl, are you?” His hands move to my waist and around to my ass.
“Nope…” My grin gets even wider. “I drove over the speed limit all the way to and from my mom’s house.”
“You’re just making it worse for yourself.” He squeezes my ass a little harder.
“I know…” I purr into his ear. “What are you going to do about it?”
“A lot…” Bram leans down and picks me up by the waist, and before I know it, I’m draped across his shoulder.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
“At least take me upstairs first!” I playfully pound his back.
“I’ll spank you the whole way there, young lady.” He walks towards the stairs, and I feel his hands on my ass again.
SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!
I have a feeling I’m going to be in a whole lot of trouble for the rest of my life, but I’m going to enjoy every second of it…
The End
Cruel Temptations
Sample
Jaxon
Here comes the bride, all dressed in white…
I hummed the
