Daniel pried Tristan from my side and propped him on his hip. “Come on, sweet boy, let’s get ready for bed. Say goodnight to Ellie.”
“Bye bye, Ewwie. I wuv chu.” Tristan’s soft, adorable voice made me want to squeal from cuteness overload.
“I love you too, buddy. I can’t wait to hang out again.”
Daniel carried Tristan into the hall, leaving David and me alone.
“Let’s go get your things.”
David held out his hand, helped me off the couch, and led me into the guest room. “Do you want to change before we go?”
I started to nod but then shook my head. “I would love to, but I’d rather just wait till I get home and change once I’ve showered. I feel gross.
“That sounds perfect. You need to wash all the gross germs off.”
David helped me carry my bags and led us out the door, locking it behind us. He used his free hand to open the car door and helped me get inside. “There you go. buckle up.”
My cheeks heated. The words, “Yes, Daddy,” were on the tip of my tongue, but I just nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Ellie. I’ll be right back.” He smiled and shut the car door, and I heard another one open as he placed my bags in the back seat before hopping into the driver’s seat next to me.
The car’s engine roared to life, and he handed me his phone with his GPS open. “Enter your address in here.” I nodded and took the phone from his hands. Our fingers brushed slightly, and the touch made my breath catch. His skin was warm, and it felt like electricity crackling under my skin where his touch lingered. With shaky hands, I entered my address and handed him his phone back.
David looked hesitant as he spoke. “You were shaking slightly. Did I make you uncomfortable? I know we just met earlier today, but I promise you’ll be safe with me.”
Somehow, my cheeks got even more flushed from getting caught. I was sure he didn’t want to know that my hands were actually shakingbecause his touch made my skin feel alive and I needed more. I wanted his touch everywhere.
“It’s not you, I promise. This might be stupid, because we just met, but I trust you. Plus, I know Daniel wouldn’t send me home with just anyone.” I may not have known Daniel for much longer than I’ve known David, but in a short amount of time, he’d proved he was a kind, fiercely loyal man. As his boy’s bestie, I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to me. “I think I’m just feeling off because of being sick.”
David still looked worried, but his relief that I wasn’t uncomfortable with him was palpable as he pulled up the GPS on his car. “Okay, but if you need anything, please let me know. It’ll be time to take more medicine when we get to your place, which should help you feel better.”
My heart fluttered in my chest. “Thank you. I will.”
We sat in a comfortable silence as David pulled out. It wasn’t until we got on the main road that he spoke. “So, you run an online shop with Tristan?”
My heart warmed at the thought of my bestie. I hoped he felt better soon. Lucky duck got to be pampered by his Daddy. I was happy for him... promise.
“Yup! Tristan makes all the plushies and sometimes blankets, and I make all the pretty princess dresses.” It wasn’t like me to feel comfortable slipping into little space with someone I’d just met, but being sick and spending the day together had my guard lower than usual. Itdidn’t help that talking about my pretty princess dresses always made me feel small and happy.
His eyes were fixed on the road, but I could see his lips curl into a smile, and the lines around his eyes crinkled. “Ember is really cool. Tristan is talented. I sadly haven’t seen any of your princess dresses. Maybe you can show me some of the ones you’ve made when you’re feeling better?”
Joy bubbled up within me. He wanted to see my pretties. “Yes, please, I love showing off my pretties.”
The mural in the playroom came to mind, and I wanted to know more about him and the art he created. “Do you paint a lot of murals?”
He hummed, his fingers thoughtfully tapping the steering wheel as he did so. “I’d say they make up about seventy percent of what I do. I also paint a lot of toys for Daniel, and some clients ask for canvas art to hang up in their homes. It’s usually for their dedicated kink space or bedroom if they don’t have one.”
“That’s so cool. I’d love to see more of your art sometime.”
We were stopped at a red light, so he turned to me and smiled. “I’d love that. I have many pieces in my apartment that I could show you. Have you been to The Naughty Nook?”
“No, I haven’t. What’s that?”
“Oh, wow. You guys are missing out. It’s a kink club downtown; they cater to all different types of kinks and dynamics. They have a room just for littles and pets, but they’re in the process of giving the pets their own room.”
There was a whole club that catered to people like us? I knew places like that existed, I just never imagined there’d be one so close. “That sounds so amazing.”
David kept his eyes on the road but nodded. “It is. I brought it up because I painted a mural in the little playroom. I’m also working on one in the new pet playroom as well.”
