“Jelly bean, I’m a Daddy Dom, remember? Of course I don’t think it’s weird. If you need ten stuffed toys to sleep with then that’s what you need. Might need a bigger bed, though, and you’re not allowed to cuddle them more than you do me.” He winked at her.
Her shoulders slumped in relief. “Then yes, please.”
It wasn’t long until he returned with Piggles. “Yay, Piggles,” she said with a big grin as she saw the pig.
Okay, maybe she was learning to be more relaxed about this stuff around Caleb.
“Think he missed you too,” Caleb said as he walked over with the toy. He brushed Piggles over her face then down her neck, hitting her ticklish spots.
She giggled. “Don’t, no! I’m ticklish!”
“I remember,” he said wickedly as he continued to tickle her.
“No, Daddy! No!”
She froze. Oh shit. Did she really just call him that? She forced herself to look at him despite her embarrassment. Satisfaction filled his face.
He handed her Piggles then grabbed hold of her chin, tilting her face up. “I love hearing you call me that. Never be ashamed of your needs. Because all I want to do is give you what you need.”
“Oh yeah? Then how come you guys keep threatening to spank me,” she said, trying to lighten the mood. “I don’t need a spankin’.”
“Yes, you do. You need to know that someone is watching out for you. That they won’t let you get away with this self-destructive behavior you exhibit.”
“I’m not self-destructive.”
“Maybe that’s the wrong word. Self-sacrificing. Yes, that’s it. You don’t know your own worth. We’re here to change that. Now, do you need a light on at night?”
“Umm, won’t it keep you awake?”
“Nah, jelly bean. I’m good. I’ll leave the bathroom light on with the door half-closed. Have to remember to tell Wolfe to order a nightlight. I’ll brush my teeth then I’ll be out.”
Nerves flooded her as she realized he’d soon be in bed with her. She started to sing a silly song.
“Piggles, Caleb’s through that door. Piggles, I hope you don’t snore.”
“Does he usually snore?” Caleb drawled.
She gasped and dropped Piggles then picked him up and held him tight before she dove under the covers.
“Are you hiding, jelly bean?”
“I just can’t stop embarrassing myself.”
The blanket was whipped back and before she could try to move, he grabbed her under the armpits and gently tugged her up and against him. Then reaching down, he drew the blanket over them.
Aleki had turned the air-conditioning down before bed because he said he couldn’t sleep unless it was close to freezing so the blanket was needed. Caleb held her against his chest and tucked the blanket around her.
Then he kissed her forehead. “I think you’re adorable. And you don’t have anything to be embarrassed about.”
“Easy for you to say, you don’t make mistakes.”
“I make lots of mistakes,” he told her as he started to massage her scalp. “Nobody is perfect.”
“You’re close.” She yawned.
“No, I’m not.”
“Yeah?” she asked, as she felt sleep closing in on her. “What’s the biggest mistake you have ever made?”