Big Daddy Sheriff (Big Cedar Daddies #1)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

“You ready?” Quinn asked, after he’d finished making arrangements and driven them to the park.

“Ready!” Alyssa answered.

Her heart was beating quickly. A smile had turned her full lips upward. The anticipation was driving her crazy.

Quinn drew the moment out a little longer before punching the code in the gate’s keypad. He opened it and said, “Come on. You’ve got a Little’s paradise right here. Go have fun.”

She rushed in to find Quinn wasn’t exaggerating.

“Oh my gosh!”

It was a massive playground with the equipment sized for adults. There were multiple teeter-totters, swing sets, and slides. There was a giant climbing structure complete with a faux rock wall. The structure even had a swinging bridge that connected it to a tall tower that had a giant swirling slide.

“This is the coolest thing ever!” she cried, running to the swings first but then hurriedly making her way to the climbing structure. She inspected the swirling slide and said, “Hey, it’s even big enough for a fat girl like me to fit through.”

She was shocked at how quickly Quinn appeared at her side. “Look at me, little girl.”

She gulped and slowly turned around to face him.

She was prepared for a lecture, but instead, she saw him deflate a little, as if changing his mind as to what he was going to say.

“Please don’t… talk like that,” he said. “It’s not very nice. And you’re beautiful.”

She looked into his eyes for a moment. “That’s not what you were going to say.”

He shrugged a little. “You’re a guest in this town and in my home. It’s not my place to?—”

“Say it,” she said.

She wasn’t sure where this bravado was coming from. Perhaps being in the presence of a strong Daddy was having that effect on her. Or maybe it was sheer curiosity. But she wanted to know what was simmering below Quinn’s surface.

She needed to know.

“Please. Don’t hold back,” she added.

He smirked. “Oh, you think you can handle it?”

“I can,” she said defiantly.

He stepped closer, took hold of her elbow with one hand and leveled a finger close to her face with the other.

“I might not be your Daddy. But I am a Daddy. And I have rules that I expect Littles to follow. Negative self-talk is a big no-no, little girl. In fact, that will get that cute bottom of yours busted faster than you can even comprehend. So, unless you want me to pull those pants down, bend you over one of these benches, and swat your little fanny right here, you’ll watch your words. Have I made myself clear?”

Her stomach flipped a nervous somersault, causing her body to tremble in dread.

Oh crap! I pushed him too far! He means every word of what he just said!

She tried to respond, but it felt as if her tongue had been superglued to the roof of her mouth.

“Well, have I made myself clear?” he asked, this time even more sternly.

She cleared her throat and worked her tongue loose, though it took considerable effort. “Yes, sir.”

He nodded. “It’s in your best interest to obey the rules, little lady.” After a moment, his smile came back. “Now, let’s put this behind us. You have fun with your new friends. This night is all about you.”

“What if they don’t want to be my friends, Quinn?” she asked.

“Trust me, the girls around here love meeting new Littles. We’re a small town. Tiny, in fact. We don’t get a lot of folks through here. They’ll be overjoyed to have a new play partner.”

As if on cue, the sound of women chatting and giggling filled the evening air.

More Littles poured into the park. And they looked to have shenanigans and fun in mind.