“Y-yes,” she replied.
Smack! Smack!
“When you break the rules, there are consequences.” Wolfe rubbed her bottom gently and she thought that might be it.
Smack! Smack!
Urgh. That jerk was just lolling her into a false sense of security. Then wham! He slapped his hand down again.
“You need to know we’ll do what we say,” Aleki added. “It will make you feel more secure.”
More secure? All it did was hurt her bottom.
Smack! Smack!
“And afterward the guilt will be gone.”
She hadn’t felt guilty! Well, maybe a tiny bit. She shouldn’t have been running or hiding from Wolfe when he was only trying to help her.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Tears tracked down her face. Aleki let go of her legs and Wolfe rubbed her bottom.
“What now?” Wolfe asked.
“You have to cuddle her, man. Tell her everything is forgiven.”
There was silence.
“It’s all right, I’m okay,” she said, sniffling. She didn’t want Wolfe to feel awkward. Or like he had to do something he didn’t want to.
Wolfe carefully lifted her so she was sitting on his lap, facing him, her legs down either side of his lap.
“Can you get us a tissue?” he asked Aleki.
Aleki studied her for a moment then ran his hand down her back. “Okay, Vivi?”
“Yeah.” She sniffled.
Wolfe placed a hand on her back, patting her awkwardly. “I’m not good at this part. The comforting afterward.”
“I’m fine.”
He shook his head. “Aftercare is important. It lets you know that all is forgiven. It is given to ensure you know you are cared for. I have to try.”
Aleki returned and handed Wolfe the tissue instead of her. She reached for it but he drew it back. “No, I will do this.”
He wiped her face gently then held the tissue to her nose. “Blow.”
“Wolfe—”
“Blow.”
She blew her nose.
“You don’t have to cuddle to show you care,” she whispered. “You do it all the time.”
He frowned. “I do?”