Page 91 of Knox's Boy

I felt some of the tension release under my hands. "Really?"

"Really," I confirmed, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of his head. "You'll find you have more in common with them than you think. They've seen me at my worst. They'll probably ask you for tips on how you managed to soften me up."

That earned me a small laugh. I moved my hands to his temples, massaging in gentle circles.

"Trust me in this," I said quietly. "Let me show you off a little."

He tilted his head back to look up at me, his blue eyes vulnerable. "Okay," he whispered. "But I still want a new outfit. Maybe a collar so you can show me off as your puppy," he added, cheeky, and I knew I had won him.

I smiled, bending to kiss him properly, tasting milk and honey on his lips.

“Now come here,” I said, sitting on a chair and tapping my thighs. “Over my knees.”

His face flushed, his eyes going wide with realization, his lips parting a little with the clear desire growing in his body.

“Why, Daddy?” he asked, batting his lashes so innocently.

“You know the rules. You aren't allowed to doubt you deserve this or to think less of yourself. Have you been doing your mirror affirmations?”

He looked at me with guilty little eyes.

“I-I forgot, Daddy,” he said. “I mean, I kept it up for a few days, but then… You know how many times I check myself in the mirror?”

“Mmm,” I hummed, still slowly tapping my thighs as he approached with careful steps. “So you didn't forget, you just chose to disobey and now lie about it, is that so?”

“Daddy! It's not like that!” he looked at me, mortified. “I… I just was a little lazy, that's all.”

“Kneel here in front of me,” I ordered. He did so, easily, without hesitation. That precious little thing undid me every time. “Do you still remember your affirmations?”

“Yes, Daddy,” he confessed.

“So, go on.”

"I deserve money, love, safety, and happiness…" he whispered. He was such a good boy for actually remembering it. "I will trust Daddy to provide and guide me, and I don't need to carry the world on my shoulders."

“Good boy. See how smart you are?” I said, pleased, and put my hand on the top of his head, massaging his scalp a little. He leaned into my touch, softly moaning. “Now, over my knees, chop-chop.”

He looked up at me with those glorious blue eyes. “Do I really need to, Daddy?”

“Yes, you little brat, you deserve this spanking, and you know it. Come,” I said, catching him by the wrist and helping guide him over my knees.

He draped himself over my lap, settling in with a resigned, melodramatic sigh. I adjusted his hips, guiding his body to just the right angle, his upper body supported by the broad surface of my thigh. His silk pajamas rode up and bunched at his waist,exposing the smooth, pale skin of his lower back and the gentle curve of his ass.

I rested my palm there, feeling the shiver that rippled through him. He tensed, ready, expectant. The anticipation was half the lesson.

"You know, good boys remember to practice their affirmations," I said, letting my hand wander over his skin in slow, lazy circles. "Instead, you get caught up doubting and worrying, even after all our practice. That’s not what my clever boy is supposed to do, is it?"

He whimpered, just the faintest sound, and I felt his hips flex involuntarily.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," he whispered. "I'll do better."

"I know you will," I told him, and then without further warning, I brought my hand down, hard and flat, a sharp crack.

He jerked; his breath hitched up into a little gasp. I didn't bother with counting. I spanked him again, and again, each stroke stinging. His flesh warmed and pinked under my hand, the color blossoming beautifully. With each impact, his little noises grew, cresting from a whimper to a sob, then dissolving into soft, desperate moans. He tried to hide his face, but I caught the glint of tears at the corners of his eyes.

"That's my good boy," I murmured, rubbing the heat into his skin, relishing the way he arched into my palm. "You take your punishments so beautifully."

He sobbed, but I knew him, he was already half gone, flying on the release, the pain braided with pleasure. I cupped his cheek, squeezing gently, watching as he pressed his hips downonto my thigh, grinding in a way he must have thought I wouldn't notice.