Total pages in book: 184
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 188108 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 941(@200wpm)___ 752(@250wpm)___ 627(@300wpm)
Salem’s hand ran up her spine to cup the back of her neck as she tensed.
“She wasn’t ours when she climbed on the table,” he pointed out.
Alexei’s gaze narrowed and she waited for his protest. But, to her surprise, he nodded. “All right.”
“The putting herself down is something that needs to be addressed, though,” Salem said. He spoke in such a calm tone that it took a moment for her to fully comprehend his words.
“What?”
“It seems to be a recurring pattern and we need to get on top of that negative behavior,” Roman added.
It was not a recurring pattern! What was happening right now?
“Do we have more rules we need to talk about?” Salem asked.
“We need to collate the rest,” Roman said. “Those were the major ones that sort of encompass everything else. For example, texting when she gets home, when she leaves, and when she arrives somewhere fall under safety.”
Wait. They didn’t expect her to do that, right?
“That seems quite intense,” she said. “I mean, I’ve traveled around just fine up until now.”
“I don’t want her taking the tube anymore. We’ll need to use a car service,” Alexei said.
“Noted,” Roman said as he typed something on his phone.
“I don’t need a car service!”
“And it’s not just about coming to and from work. It’s everywhere,” Salem added.
“What about getting enough sleep and eating properly,” Alexei said.
“Those all come under health,” Roman said. “I don’t believe she does either of those properly.”
They all stared at her.
“I do!” This was all . . . crazy!
“Those are things we can talk about later,” Salem said, no doubt reading the panic on her face that she hadn’t tried to hide.
Because her mind was racing too much for her to hide it. Which wasn’t good because normally she was the master of her emotions.
“Are you feeling overwhelmed?” Salem asked.
“Um, a little bit.”
“Then I think it’s best we come back to this later. Just know that you’re expected to look after yourself. Okay? If it’s something that puts your health or safety at risk, don’t do it.”
Um. Right.
Like that would be possible with the life she led. But she couldn’t tell them that, could she?
But it wasn’t like they’d know when she left her apartment. Or that she barely got any sleep and ate the bare minimum.
“Any limits we should know about? Other than what you told me at the club,” Salem added. “I’ve told the others about them.”
“I . . . I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“There might be limits while in Little space. Do you know any of them?” he asked.
She still wasn’t sure.
“Using a diaper?” Roman asked.
“Oh. Uh, hmm. I . . . guess.” How did she know until she tried?
“Would you like to sometimes wear one to see if you liked it?” Salem asked.
She knew she was bright red. She could feel the heat in her cheeks. “Is that something you guys would want?”
“This is about what you want,” Salem told her. “We’ve talked a lot about ourselves.”
“I like to talk about myself,” Alexei said. “But I like to talk about you more. Which is quite surprising.”
“I guess I could try it and see if ILI,” she said shyly. “I do enjoy you reading to me about it.”
“ILI?” Alexei asked.
“See if I Like It,” she explained.
Roman nodded. “We’ve read lots about adult baby girls who like to be swaddled and have a pacifier.”
“But I might like other things too,” she said.
“Like creating giant cities made of Lego?” Roman queried.
“Yes! Especially a Christmas village.”
Roman grinned. “I’d help you with that.”
“Imagine the Christmas village we could create. With markets selling hot chocolates and waffles and snow on the ground.”
“You like Christmas?” Alexei asked.
“Yeah, I do. It just seems so magical. Like anything could happen.”
“In the orphanage, I gave up dreaming about Santa when I realized he never brought me or the other kids anything,” Alexei said abruptly.
Oh.
Silence filled the room.
“My parents never understood or liked me, but I always got gifts,” Roman said quietly.
“We didn’t have a lot,” Salem said. “But my parents made it as magical as they could. Even though my mother never celebrated it as a child.”
“I stopped getting presents when I was around nine or ten,” she said. “It’s hard, but I still kept believing. I needed that hope that there was someone out there who knew I was a good girl.”
“Of course you’re a good girl,” Roman said in a surprisingly fierce voice. “Who said you weren’t?”
She forced a bright smile on her face. “It doesn’t matter. I should really clean up that bird poop.”
“Stop worrying about the darn bird poop,” Alexei grumbled. “Worry about yourself.”
“Should I worry?” she asked.
“We do need to talk about appropriate punishment for putting yourself down,” Alexei said.
“What are your limits?” Salem asked.
“Urgh, I think being permanently scarred is out. So is knife play.”