“I know several people that live in a lifestyle like you two need.”
Her brows puckered in question. “What do you mean? Lifestyle?”
“It’s called a big/little relationship.”
Larkin tilted her head to the side. “Big/little? I don’t understand.”
“It’s a relationship where the man is like a father figure, and the girls are usually like you two. Not children in woman’s bodies but actual women who are never going to be street smart and adventurous, and th
ey like someone else to have to deal with the day-to-day problems. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.”
“Not street smart?” She tipped her head to the side. “That makes sense. Brylee and I both have above average IQs, but we will get lost in a large department store.”
Darian chuckled. “We can talk more about this tomorrow. You look like your sinking again,” he joked.
“I am tired,” she agreed.
“Let’s go.” He helped her up and led her down a hallway and up a long flight of steps. He opened double doors and urged her into the room before closing them behind him.
“This is where I’m going to sleep?” she asked in amazement.
“We both are.”
Larkin twirled toward him. “Are you going to have sex with me?”
“Eventually, but not tonight,” he said as he started to unbutton the cuffs of his shirt.
Larkin watched him intently. Her eyes widened when he pulled his shirt off and showed her a broad chest with a bit of hair in the middle.
Darian huffed out a laugh. “Haven’t you ever seen a man’s chest before?”
“In the movies, but not in real life.”
Darian swallowed back a groan. He had so much to show her and teach her. “Why don’t you get undressed, sweetheart?”
She gasped. “In front of you?”
“Yes.” He chuckled. “I bathed you and put you to bed that first night, so I’ve already seen you naked.”
Darian caught the panic in her eyes and walked to her, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her against him. Then he cupped her face with his hand. “Hey, everything’s okay.”
Larkin held on to his arms.
“How about I get you a shirt to wear?”
She relaxed.
He had to guess the whole night was surreal for her. It was understandable that she was nervous about being in his house and his bedroom.
“Yes, please.”
He came back with another shirt like she’d worn the other night. “You can go into the bathroom first.”
“I…”
“Go.” He nodded toward a door.
****