“Daddy. I is not naughty!”
“Uh-huh. We’ll see. Now, health and safety rules get an immediate spanking and several ticks on the chart, just so you know.”
He placed her rules and naughty girl chart on the mantel above the fireplace while she sulked.
“Hey.” He crouched down in front of her, gently placing his hands on her thighs. “Is this too much? I mean, you haven’t agreed to be totally mine so maybe I should have waited, huh? I think I got too excited. We can adjust the boards or even get rid of them if you’d prefer.”
Marisol saw the wistfulness in Linc’s gaze as he stood and took a step towards the boards.
“No.” She reached up and grabbed hold of his hand.
He looked down at her.
She shook her head. “It’s not too fast. I want . . . the boards. The truth is, the rules make me feel . . .”
Damn it. She couldn’t believe she was going to admit this.
“They make me feel secure. Cared for.” Loved. “My aunt never cared much about what I did as long as I kept the house tidy, did my work and kept out of her way. She never cared about my safety or health.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure. It’s just a lot of changes. Living here. Being free to explore my Little side. Having you as my Daddy.” She gave him a shy look. “I really like it here. With you.” And she definitely never wanted to leave. She opened her mouth to tell him that, but the words wouldn’t come. And she thought she knew why. Because despite his reassurances, there was still a worry in the back of her mind that he would leave her.
Like everyone else.
She knew it wasn’t fair to Linc. He’d never treated her as disposable. But having so many people enter and leave her life, with not one of them trying to find her or contact her again, it had done something to her. And trust just didn’t come easily. Already she was amazed by how she’d opened up to him. However, it was just that step further to reveal her heart to him.
“I love having you here, teeny. I hope you’ll never leave.”
She smiled, her heart opening just that bit more. “You say the nicest things.”
“It’s only the truth. Now, it’s time for your nap.”
She frowned. “Can’t I read my book while lying on the sofa?”
“Nope. You’re having a proper nap.”
“But I haven’t done anything all day.”
“It’s not just physical stress that can be tiring, mental stress can be even more exhausting and you’ve had plenty of that lately. Besides, you told Doc you often don’t sleep well so you have plenty of catching up to do.” He stood and held out his hand to her.
She took it with a loud sigh. But she let him lead her to the bedroom. He stopped by the bed. “Do you need to test your blood sugar?”
Nodding, she grabbed her bag off the bedside table and tested herself. While she did that, he grabbed one of his T-shirts, laying it on the bed. “Arms up,” he commanded when she was finished.
She held up her arms and he took off her sweater then her T-shirt. Finally, he reached around and undid her bra. She clasped hold of the front of it as he drew it off.
“Daddy!”
“Let go. You can’t sleep in your bra. And none of your body should be off-limits to Daddy. All of him belongs to you and all of you belongs to Daddy. Understand?”
“Yes.” She lowered her hands and he drew off her bra. Then he knelt between her legs and ran a finger down her breast, twirling it around her nipple.
“These tits are so beautiful. I wish I could play with them all day. Suck at them, squeeze them, bury my face in them.”
So now she was turned on. Damn him. How was she going to sleep like this? Well, she guessed she could take care of it herself.
“Lie back,” he urged. Once she was on her back, he slid off her yoga pants and panties. She placed her arm over her eyes, knowing she was completely on display.