You’re happy.
She pressed her fingers against her cheeks. Happy. Imagine that. It seemed like such a foreign concept and she realized just how downtrodden and miserable she had become. Yet, she’d been here with Linc for two nights and she felt lighter. So light, she wondered if she might float away.
Silly Mari-girl.
She grinned wider.
She flew out of the bathroom and plonked herself directly in his lap where he sat on the sofa. Even though she’d surprised him, he immediately wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.
“Hello, there. What’s this about?”
“Nothing. I’m just happy. You make me happy.” She buried her face in his neck. “Thank you for taking care of me, for letting me stay here, for wanting me.”
“You don’t ever have to thank me for that. For any of it. But I do appreciate it.”
“Your ex, was she your Little too?” she dared to ask.
“She was. And the man who she cheated on me with was a very close friend.”
“Oh, Linc.” She slipped her hands around his neck. “I’m so sorry.”
“That’s why I can’t stand lies. They lied to me for so long. I felt stupid, duped. If Jessica had just told me that she no longer wanted to be with me, then I could have walked away without feeling like a fool. Instead it went on for months behind my back. I finally caught them. In our bed. I’d gone out to meet a business associate for dinner but forgot my wallet. Couldn’t believe it when I walked into the house and found them . . . well, you don’t need to know the details.”
“What jerks,” she said angrily.
“Well, at least there are positives.”
“There are?”
“Hmm. Yes, it gave me the push I needed to give up my boring job and do something I had always wanted to do. I got a job here as a ranch hand and worked my way up. I decided that if I ever found someone I wanted, someone I thought could be mine forever, then I wouldn’t hesitate, wouldn’t wait. I’d tell her what I wanted and I’d make sure she knew she was mine.” He kissed her. Hard. Hot. “You’re who I want, Mari-girl. For always. I don’t expect you to tell me the same. Not yet. But I have no doubts. You’re gonna be mine.”
There was something so safe in his confidence. There were doubts, she couldn’t deny them. Worry that they hadn’t known each other long. That the newness would rub off and he’d realize he didn’t want her anymore. But for now, she felt special and cared for.
“All right. Enough procrastinating. Limits. We’ve already talked about anal play. So that’s okay.”
Eek. Talk about jumping right into it.
“Now I read that diabetes can give you nerve damage, so I think we’ll skip any sort of bondage.”
“I don’t have any nerve damage. My diabetes is pretty well controlled. There are times when I go too long without eating or get a bit stressed or when I’m ill that I can have problems. But we could just try tying my hands? And for a short amount of time?”
“We can talk to Doc about it.”
“Talk to Doc? Do we have to?” she squeaked.
He grinned. “It won’t be the weirdest question he’s had, I promise you that. You gave me the list of everything to watch for and what to do. But what about any other injuries? Allergies?”
“No, nothing else.”
He nodded. “We’ll ease into things. I’ll only use my hand and the small paddles we bought you today. Punishments will be short, not prolonged in any way and I’ll check in with you often.”
It was a relief how seriously he took her health. She knew that she could trust him with it. Which was amazing since she’d never had anyone she could rely on.
“You always have your safeword. Like I said before, I fear I could be too indulgent with you. Maybe I should just take you over my knee and spank you each evening to make up for my indulgence during the day, to cover any naughtiness I miss while I’m working.”
“What! No!” That didn’t sound fair at all.
“No? Oh, wait, I just had another good idea.”