“Okay.”
Seemingly oblivious to my misery, he gets me back into the original blue-and- white dress before we head back out of the dressing room so Jade can ring us up.
The total nearly makes my eyes pop out of my head. In less than an hour, he’s spent more on me than I used to make in a year at my old job. I open my mouth to protest, to tell him it’s way too much to spend on anyone but especially onmewhen an errant thought freezes the words on my tongue.
If he’s going to keep me as a literal prisoner, spanking me and humiliating me into submission, why shouldn’t I spend his money? It only seems fair, really, given what he’s put me through so far.
That thought lingers in my mind as he pays for my clothes and leads me out of the boutique and into a much larger store. This one is full of items for, I assume, adult babies like me, including an entire wall of stuffed animals.
But none of those catch my attention. No, that is reserved solely for the giant T-Rex hovering above us.
“Daddy!” Stopping dead in my tracks, I tug at his jacket sleeve and point. “I want that one!”
A pretty girl dressed in a onesie and a tutu much like some of the outfits Daddy picked out for me at Solene’s bounces over to us. “Hi! I’m Alice! Anything I can help you folks with?”
Daddy looks down at me. “You really want the dinosaur, baby?”
“Yes. I love him and I’lldieif I don’t get him.”
Dramatic? Maybe. But I don’t care. It’s like I’ve unlocked some kind of secret version of myself. A Tabitha who doesn’t care if she’s being selfish or unreasonable. She wants what she wants, and she’s damn well going to get it.
Chuckling, Daddy points at the ceiling. “We’ll take him.”
Alice’s smile falters. “Oh, um, he’s not actually for sale. That’s just a display.”
Disappointment stabs at my chest and that new, bold Tabitha I’ve just unlocked immediately retreats. But before I can smile politely and tell her it’s okay and I understand, Daddy gives my hand a squeeze.
“Why don’t you go check out the other toys while Daddy negotiates? But don’t leave this store or you’ll be flying home with an extra-sore bottom.”
Embarrassment heats my cheeks, but I do my best to pretend pretty, bubbly Alice isn’t watching us with interest sparkling in her wide eyes. “Okay, Daddy.”
“Good girl. I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
Letting go of his hand, I wander toward the wall of normal-sized stuffed animals. Animals in pretty much every size and color imaginable decorate the wall, and they all call to me.
Maybe I should just pick out a normal toy. It’s not right for me to be causing so much trouble by asking for something I clearly am not meant to have.
Guilt churns in my stomach, but when I turn around to go tell Daddy it’s not worth the hassle, my nose bumps into something hard and I jump back with a scream.
A strong hand grips my arm, yanking me back up against the brick wall I’m now realizing is Daddy’s chest. “Are you okay, baby?” His voice is full of what almost sounds like worry. “Did I hurt you?”
“No, I was just startled.” And now embarrassed all over again for having been so easily scared and making such a fuss. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make a scene.”
Nudging me away from him, Daddy frowns down at me. “You never have to apologize for normal human reactions, Tabitha. Apologies are only for when you’ve done something naughty or you’ve caused someone harm in some way. Understand?”
I don’t, not really. But I’m too scared to find out how he’ll react if I’m actually honest, so I nod. “Yes, Daddy.”
His fierce expression gives way to a warm smile. “Good girl. Did you see anything else you wanted?”
“Oh, no, I don’t need anything else. I don’t even reallyneedthe dinosaur. I shouldn’t have made such a fuss over it.”
Eyes narrowing, he leans down, his voice a low, warning growl when he speaks. “That sounds dangerously close to an apology, little girl.”
“It’s not! I’m just…”
WhatamI doing?
My explanation fades into silence and he gives a sharp nod. “That’s what I thought.” Straightening again, he takes my hand and gives it a tug. “Now, be a good girl and let Daddy spoil you.”
