"Sleep now, then?" she whispers, eyelids drooping.
Break my heart and mend it back together...
"Rest now. Daddy will keep you safe."
eleven
LULU
My body knows something isn't right before my mind does. Sweat tickles the back of my neck and my back hurts so bad. None of that is what sends alarm bells blasting me awake, though.
What really shoots me into a seated position is the wonderful smell surrounding me.Where am I?
Pillows are piled on all sides of me, creating two small walls. With my heart thundering in my throat, I scramble out of the fluffiest bed I've ever experienced in my life. The sheets are grey and the comforter is black. It’s so ridiculously inviting I immediately know I don't belong.
"Where the heck...?" I whisper to myself, turning in a circle. The room is lit by the warm sunlight coming through the dark shades. My head begins to throb as the kink in my neck makes itself known.Ugh.
But then... "Thank God," I cry under my breath and rush for the sparkling porcelain in the bathroom. I swear I’ve never had to pee so bad in my life. If I was kidnapped and locked away, at least I have a fully functioning bathroom, am I right?
Once I've relieved myself and have splashed some water on my face, I realize I'm fully clothed all the way down to my socks. That brings my second sigh of relief.
My third comes when I twist the door handle to the bedroom and find it unlocked. I haven't had the chance to truly wake up until I wrench the door open and finally recognize something.Preston’s hallway.
With each step I take to the kitchen where I hear the tapping of keys, my stomps become grouchier. Ihatewaking up sticky with sweat.
As I round the corner I'm blasted in the face by a glare of sunlight and screech out my irritation.
"Baby, what are you doing awake?" Preston asks, sounding shocked and a little out of breath. When I clear my watery eyes, I see him with wide eyes and his hand on his chest. "You scared the fucking shit out of me."
"I was scared first," I growl and cross my arms.
His eyebrows rise and he uncoils from the stool. "Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"
"Now’s not the time for teasing, Preston. You cooked me in an oven of pillows and blankets in a room I didn't recognize.Plus," I huff, "your mattress and pillows are crap."
I end my rant by stretching out my lower back and digging my fingers into the back of my neck. Everything freaking aches. "Even my knees hurt," I grumble, losing some of my momentum.
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling safe enough with me to sass. I gotta say I was worried I'd never see the day you had a tantrum. I'm proud of you," Preston says, coming closer and tucking the ratted mess of my hair over my shoulder.
"You're proud of a tantrum? Seriously? You're not just gonna lock me in the basement and starve me?" At that moment, I realize each grave mistake I've made this morning.
"Woah, okay, baby. Don't be scared of me, please. I would nevereverharm you," Preston reassures, wrapping an arm around my lower back when I try to physically backpedal.
"But—" Shoot, now I'm crying. How do I rewind time and keep my mouth shut? I wasn't really mad but this morning was disorienting and I was scared.
Preston kisses the tip of my nose and drags his fingers through my hair line. "Little girl, Iloveyour bravery. This is a safe place for you to brat and sass, okay? I do think it was warranted this time, actually. You woke up somewhere new, in a bed your body isn't accustomed to, and I bet you would have felt more settled if Daddy had been there right away, huh?"
My mouth opens to respond but nothing comes out.Daddy.Memories of last night filter through my mind and bring a blush to my cheeks. Sighing, I thunk my forehead onto his broad chest.
His deep chuckle bounces me and I smile just a tiny bit. "I'm sorry about the pillows," he offers. "I was worried you might roll out of bed. How about some cold milk to cool you down?"
That same wonderful sound vibrates through his chest when I nod. "Okay, baby. You go sit on the couch. I'll be right there."
With a small pat on my butt, he sends me off and I do as he asked.Said. There was no question, just demand and obedience. After the strange morning I've had, I love that he took over.
What time is it?
"Alright, my sweet girl," Preston announces, walking around the couch. "It's only seven, which means we have a few hours to relax before you start your shift if you're up for it. At any point you can come here and rest. You had a long night and an early morning I wasn't expecting."
