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“Where are we going?” I ask excitedly, twisting in my seat to face him as he pulls on his seat belt.
“I’m taking my girl to breakfast.” He starts the car and pulls out into the street. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starving!”
“Good, we’ll need lots of fuel for what I have planned today,” he says cryptically, grinning at the windshield.
“Well—” I begin, hoping he’ll finally tell me our plans for the day.
“Well, what?” He flashes me a quick grin before focusing on his driving once again.
“Are you going to tell me what you planned for today?” I find myself bouncing with excitement.
“I plan to take my girl to breakfast,” he states. I make an annoyed huffing sound that has him chuckling. “Don’t you like surprises?”
“Not when I know about them.” I lean back in my seat as we make our way through town.
“I’ll have to remember that.” Taking one hand off the steering wheel, he reaches toward me.
I shiver as his large hand closes around my smaller one, feeling the warmth and firmness of his hold.
“Before we begin our day, Detective Berger called me back this morning. He gave me the disappointing news that the phone used to text you is unregistered, which makes it nearly impossible to trace the user. He tried calling, but they aren’t picking up either.” Squeezing my hand slightly, he says, “Don’t worry, this isn’t all bad. We now know someone’s sending the messages intentionally to you, which means we can find them.”
“Right.” I breathe out shakily.
“We’re not going to let it ruin our day, are we?”
“No, we’re going to have an amazing day together,” I tell him enthusiastically.
“We are.” He gives my hand another quick squeeze before placing his hand back on the steering wheel and pulling us into a familiar parking lot.
“Champ’s!” I squeeze his arm in excitement as we park in front of one of my favorite restaurants in town. The retro diner has a sea monster theme and is named after Champ, the sea monster that supposedly lives in Lake Champlain. The classic diner menu uses fresh, locally sourced produce and meat products and is delicious.
“Is this okay?” He asks before teasing, “Or would my little professor like to go somewhere else?”
“This is one of my favorite places.”
“Me too.” Etienne grins. “I came here all the time growing up.” I move to unbuckle my seat belt, but Etienne covers my hand with his own. “Let Daddy do that, baby.”
Smiling, I nod and relax back into the seat, relishing having a Daddy take care of me. None of the men I’ve dated have been true Daddies; they only ever play-acted the role at the club or during sex. Looking back, I realize they never completely accepted my little side.
Holding my hand, Etienne leads me to our small table in the back of the crowded restaurant. He pulls out my chair for me and waits until I’m seated to claim the chair opposite. The busy waitress hands us our menus, fills our water glasses, and leaves to grab our coffee.
“Violet,” Etienne says in a low, stern voice once the waitress has left, “coffee isn’t for little girls, is it?”
“No.” I sink into my chair and shake my head; I had ordered the adult beverage without thinking.
Today, I’m supposed to be enjoying embracing my little side.
“Hand,” he says softly, stretching his own across the table.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, placing my hand on his. “I forgot.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” he tells me as he gently strokes my fingers. “We’re getting to know each other, and communication is key. I know my little professor likes her adult beverages, if Wednesday night is any indication.”
Relaxing, I find myself giggling.
“There’ll be times when we need to be adults, equals, like when we’re on campus, and there’ll be times when Daddy will make the decisions for his little girl,” he says quietly, and I nod. “Today, we’ve agreed Daddy’s in charge, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want your opinion. As for the coffee, even little girls need a cup or two in the morning.”
