He chuckles and releases my knee with a squeeze. Suddenly cold, I tuck further into my chair, hoping he doesn't read my movement as fear.
"I settled on Reclaiming Red because many survivors who we will help and guide toward a better future will need a safeword.Many have probably saidnoand been ignored. Here they can reclaim their control and find respect. Red, the stoplight system, is a common safeword. Reclaiming Red."
"Amazing..." I murmur, unable to control the awe radiating from my heart. I stopped saying no a long time ago because it only made my punishments worse.
"Thank you, baby girl."
My stomach somersaults and I suck in a very audible breath. Tucking my knees up, I try to hide from the embarrassing reaction I had.
Preston just smiles even wider at me and places his hand on my knee again. He's so warm... I'm always cold. "It's okay, Lulu. Hopefully after I explain you'll feel a bit better about me and your feelings."
"My feelings?" I blurt. What does he know about my feelings?
"Mhmm." He nods, still donning a soft smile. "I know being calledbaby girlmade you feel nice, right? You don't have to say anything yet but I'm going to tell you something about myself that requires an open mind."
Nodding, I wiggle my toes in my mom’s too-big shoes. What could he possibly want to tell me?
"Do you know what a Daddy Dom is?" he continues when I suck in a breath and nod. "Okay, you can stay quiet. You understand that I'm attracted to an adult female whom I can take care of in the most intimate ways? I want to be able to provide a space for my woman to regress and enjoy the simpler things in life. There would be no sexual activity of any sort while she's Little. That's just not me. But I'll ravish her when she's my brave beautiful woman again."
I nod, filing that information away even if I knew most of it. Then I come to a horrible realization. Sitting up fast, I blink away the dizziness from not eating this morning. "Do you havea Little?" I gasp. Glancing around I realize he definitely might have one and I'm in their spot.
"No, baby. I don't have a Little. Many of my friends have found theirs, though. I didn't lie about this being a place for them, so you are more than welcome to use this spot."
He nudges me back, and I go willingly. I'm going to soak this chair in through my pores if it's the last thing I do. Maybe I'll blush hard enough it melts to my butt and I have to take it home.
Wait...
His hand presses into my knee a little more. "Shh, just relax, little one. I'm going to make a guess, and you may slap me if I'm overstepping. But I think there's a reason you feel comfortable with me off and on."
"Okay," I whisper keeping my hands tightly wrapped in Binks.
"Your anxiety over a new place and new people is battling with the sweet Little girl inside of you who wants out to play with Daddy."
"You're not my Daddy," I blurt. Immediately, I gasp and cower away.
"Oh baby," he coos. I feel him tug my blankie and drape the dingy fabric around me gently. "I may not be your Daddy yet. But you most definitely are my Little girl to protect and that sweet baby inside of you feels safe with me. I'll do everything in my power to make sure Big Lulu feels the same."
I'm going to pass out. Or maybe adult me is trying to escape and Little me wants out.
Can I let her? Can I let go?
six
PRESTON
"Baby girl," I coo, watching Lulu's breaths turn to small gasps. "I'm sorry for coming on so strong. I want you to know that no matter what, you have a place here with us."
"I—" she croaks, swallowing repeatedly. "I do?"
Christ, this woman is going to rip my heart out. "Yes. Ireallyneed you to help me make this place more welcoming and comfortable. You've proven you have a good eye."
Her head snaps up and the look on her face can only be described as shame. "I don't have any money to do anything for this place!" she blurts, tears immediately filling her eyes.
Fuck it all right to hell. Without any more hesitation, I slip my hands beneath her armpits and lift her out of the beanbag chair. I despise how easy it is to maneuver her. For the first time, I'm cradling my sweet girl on my lap, and she's not fighting me.
"Enough of that." With her legs over mine, and her back resting against my arm, I use my free hand to wipe her cheeks. "You aren't paying for anything, Lulu.I'mpayingyoufor your expertise. That's how jobs work."
Blinking up at me with her big brown eyes, she looks so confused. "Oh. R-really?"
