“It wasn’t an accusation and, like he said, not something you should be ashamed of.” I closed my laptop screen and concentrated on her face.
“I’m not ashamed.” She sat up. “It’s not . . . what I do in my private life has nothing to do with my professional life.”
“In any other circumstance, I would agree, but with this job, it might be beneficial.” I stood and walked to the chair next to her. “While I’d like to get more into why that is the case, I can’t really in good conscience do that unless you are going to join us. Like Kyler said, you are welcome to, on a trial basis. Even if it doesn’t work out, you can leave at any time. What you learn in the meantime is protected by the confidentiality agreement, of course.”
“Oh, of course.” She rolled her eyes. Again, brat. “But I can’t be little and do my job. It’s not professional.”
“Well, why don’t you let us, as your employers, determine what is and isn’t professional.” I sighed. “Look Kylie. You’re right. We wouldn’t want you to protect Rayna and Tinley while you’re in little space, but you always will understand more than most and be more accepting. Kyler wants to create a world for Rayna where she will never have to feel uncomfortable to truly be herself. You being a little helps.”
“Here’s your smoothie, Kylie.” Collin walked into the open door and set the drink on the desk in front of her.
She eyed him and the drink, but didn’t reach for it.
“Thanks, Collin.”
“You’re welcome.” He nodded and scurried out, closing the door behind him.
“So everyone knows.” She hid her face again.
“Why does that matter to you so much?” I sat back down next to her. I picked up the smoothie and handed it to her. Thankfully, she took it. I wouldn’t have minded feeding it to her while rocking her in my arms. My cock twitched at the image of Kylie and her firm ass on my lap—a thought so inappropriate it was a fire alarm in my head. I stood back up and walked back behind my desk. I needed a little distance. It didn’t help that the smell of apples lingered in the air around her.
“Because it’s my life. My private business.” She took a small sip and closed her eyes. Savoring the taste. A small smile curled up the side of her mouth.
“Did it not come up during your security clearance with the FBI?” There had to be kinky people working for the FBI. I’ve learned over the years we are everywhere.
“That’s the thing: unless they see it as a problem, they just don’t talk about it.” She waved her hands in the air. “You guys want me to wave my little flag high for all to see.”
“Well, not exactly.” I smirked and lowered myself into my seat. She was being irresistibly cute; I was having a hard time thinking straight. All I knew was I didn’t want to let her leave. “All I’m saying is, if it doesn’t interfere and somehow helps you in doing your job, what does it matter? Do you have a daddy?”
“Again, not sure that’s an appropriate question.” She sipped her drink. “Unless you’re interviewing for the job.”
CHAPTER 7
KYLIE
Itook another long sip of my smoothie. The chocolate peanut butter goodness made this strange job interview less embarrassing. While enjoying it, I realized what I had said and how Patrick had gone uncomfortably quiet. I peeked over my smoothie cup. Patrick’s cheeks had a tint of pink, and he had yet to answer my question. What was my question, actually?
I didn’t really just ask him to be my daddy. Did I? No.
I lowered the cup to stall, searching my brain for the least embarrassing way to detour from this landmine I had just stepped on.
It was something my little would have asked–did ask, with other men. She’d been stumbling in and out of my personality more often lately, which was strange because I had worked very hard to compartmentalize her to once a month. I never had a daddy of my own, content with letting her out to play at a club in Brooklyn. It satisfied me and my little.
Or so I thought.
I reached down to pull the offer envelope out of my bag.
Thank God, Patrick finally spoke.
“Kyler’s questioning and assumptions were inappropriate, and I will be speaking with him about it.” Patrick grimaced.
“It was inappropriate.” I squared my shoulders. “But honest, I guess. And if being a little helps me keep Rayna and Tinley safe, then I’m okay with you knowing. And I would never do my job while in little space. While I am relatively aware even then, I wouldn’t allow it. Besides, I don’t actually consider myself little.”
“What do you mean?”
In any other new hire situation, this conversation would never happen.
“Not a little, per se.” I inhaled and let out a deep breath. I had to communicate this correctly, because while talking about my little made me vulnerable, it was a tool I could use to further entrench myself into their organization.
