Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
I can be brave. I’ll tell him I can be a big girl. “I was just thinking about some things Melissa said to me. She’s worried I’m going to rely on you too heavily, and she’s been encouraging me to be sure I’m capable of independence. I realized she’s right. I’m too needy. I need to be able to take care of myself some of the time, and I can take care of you too,” I propose, hoping I’ve said the right things.
He stares at me for a long time until I start to fidget.
Finally, he draws in a breath. “I’m trying to figure out what’s going on in your head and read between the lines. You have me stumped, princess. When we got here, you spent several days sliding into a deep Little space. You were thriving and experiencing new things. I thought you were finding yourself. Learning what you really want. Why have you switched gears? Did it scare you to be so dependent on me?”
I nod. It did scare me, but not for the reasons he’s thinking. I scared me because I’m afraid I’ll lose him.
Daddy pushes to sitting, moves to lean against the headboard, and pulls me onto his lap. He cradles me the way he so often does. I love it when he holds me like this.
“I can understand Melissa’s concerns, especially since she hasn’t met me or seen us together. You intentionally haven’t brought me to meet her. Now I’m curious what your reasons are.”
“Nuh uh,” I argue like a petulant Little girl. “I just knew I needed to talk to Melissa about all the things happening in my life, and I wouldn’t have time to include you yet.” I don’t look at him while I tell him this.
He stiffens. “Josie… That’s a lie. You’re not a good liar. Now you have a lot of explaining to do. Let’s start with Melissa and why you don’t want me to meet her and why on Earth you’re lying about it. It must be incredibly huge for you to lie. You never lie. And, for the record, you’re awful at it. I suggest you not make a habit of it. You’ll never get away with lying to Daddy.”
My breath hitches, and I glance at him. He’s got a soft grin. He’s partly teasing me. I bet my eyes are wide though.
“Are you going to tell Daddy what’s going on? Or do you need some time in the naughty corner first to think about it? I’ll be happy to paddle your bottom hard first if you’d like to purge the naughty feelings. But mark my words, Josie Miller, we’re not leaving this cabin until we’ve discussed this, until I fully understand everything in your head.”
I groan. Shoot. “Daddy…” I don’t want to talk about this. I just want things to go back to the way they were before when I wasn’t so needy.
Seconds tick by.
Daddy gently strokes my arm. He’s going to wait. Gah.
I sigh. “I just realized I was too needy earlier in the week. That’s all. I’m trying to do better.”
He leans me back and meets my gaze. His eyes are piercing. “I’d rather you stop using that word. You’re not needy. You’re just enjoying a younger age. With that level of regression comes a deeper submission. You knew that would happen before we ever got here. It’s the nature of the island. Whatever gave you the idea you were too needy?”
I shrug. “I was aware I was causing you to do too much for me right away, but it really clicked I think when I saw that wave pool and knew I couldn’t get in it without help.”
“What on Earth made you think I don’t enjoy every moment of taking care of you? It’s in my DNA, Baby girl. I’ve waited a lifetime to meet the perfect Little girl, and you are her. I love caring for you at whatever level you crave.”
“I’m too much work. You must be exhausted.”
His brow furrows deeper. “No. Never. The more I do for you, the happier I am. I’ve loved our time here on this island. I love taking care of you in every way. But more importantly, I quickly realized you love it too. You were instantly happier here than you’ve ever been on the mainland. I know you spend a lot of your time in Little space when we’re at home, but not this young, not this deep, and not this thoroughly. I’m confident you’ve felt more yourself here than ever before. Am I wrong?”
I bite my lower lip for a moment, thinking about my words. Finally, I release it. “No, but…”
Daddy shakes his head. “There are no buts. You can’t help who you are and what makes your heart soar. It just so happens that what we both crave fits together like a puzzle. Don’t get me wrong, I love you to pieces, and I would bend over backward to make you happy no matter what that looked like. If you only wanted to be Little a few hours a day, I would make that happen. If you wanted to be an older Little, I would make that happen. But neither of those things are true. You’ve thrived here at a younger age with strict rules and guidance. You can’t hide that from Daddy.”