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Shoot.
They were out of the office and walking along the hallway when someone called out Derek’s name. Glancing up, she saw Eliot walking toward them.
“Eliot, everything okay?”
“Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to say thanks for the hospitality, but I’ve decided to cut short my stay.”
Strangely, this feeling of disappointment filled her. He was leaving? They had barely gotten to know him.
Silly Isla.
She glanced up at Marcus and saw his small frown. “Why’re you leaving?”
Grabbing Marcus’ hand, she squeezed it. Sometimes, he didn’t always think about what he was going to say before he said it.
Eliot raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Master Derek gave Marcus a firm look.
“Sorry,” she said. “None of our business.”
Eliot’s gaze softened as he looked at her.
“Thanks for the save, La-la,” Marcus whispered to her. “He’s got a good Daddy stare, huh?”
Yeah, she’d have to agree. Not that she had any experience with Daddy stares.
“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope there’s nothing wrong?” Master Derek replied.
“No, I just feel I should get back home.” He eyed them strangely again.
“Maybe we could talk in my office? I’ll be a few minutes. I just have to show Marcus and Isla back to the infirmary.”
“What? Why? What happened?” Eliot fired the questions out.
She stepped closer to Marcus, who wrapped his arm around her.
Eliot studied her. “I’m sorry, little one. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“I’m all right.”
They all glanced over as Erika walked toward them, calling out to Master Derek.
“Ahh, if you’ll excuse me a moment.” Master Derek moved down the hallway to talk to Erika.
“Are you both all right?” Eliot asked.
“I’m feeling better than a pig rolling in poop,” Marcus replied with a grin.
Good lord.
His Little was close to the surface, which shouldn’t surprise her. This place was bound to have that effect on him, and he was happiest in Little space.
Which is why she needed to convince him to take part in the Little activities. She never wanted to hold him back. That would make him resent her.
Eliot gave him an amused look. “That so? And you, Isla? How is your hand?”
“It’s all right,” she said quickly, hiding it behind her back.
Both of his eyebrows rose.
Shoot.
Why did she do that? Now she just looked guilty.
“Is that so?” he drawled. “Would you show me?”
“It’s looking red. That’s why we’re going to the infirmary.” Marcus was frowning now, staring down at her in concern. “I should have made sure you were more careful in the jacuzzi. What if it’s infected?”
“It’s not infected.” Although it was a bit hot and sore. “I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry, I have to go. I’ll send someone to take you both to the infirmary, though,” Master Derek said.
“It’s okay. I know where it is,” Marcus said quickly.
Master Derek looked slightly concerned. Was he thinking that they wouldn’t go?
“I’ll make sure they find it,” Eliot said suddenly.
She gave him a surprised look.
“Thanks, Eliot. Don’t leave without talking to me?” Master Derek asked.
“Sure,” he replied in a gruff voice.
Master Derek strode off with Erika, both of them talking quietly.
“I hope everything is all right,” she said, chewing at her lip.
“I’m sure it’s all fine, and Derek will sort it. Nothing for you to worry about,” Eliot reassured her.
“La-la worries about everything.” Marcus took her good hand and started swinging it back and forth. “She’s a worrywart. Do you like sloths?”
Eliot looked surprised. “Uh, I guess.”
“La-la does, don’t you?”
She could feel herself blushing. She did love sloths. They were just so cute. If she could have any sort of soft toy, it would likely be a sloth. Marcus had bought her a pair of sloth pajamas for this trip. They’d come with matching slippers.
And they were adorable.
“I was thinking I’d buy her one after we’ve been to see the nurse. If she’s brave.” Marcus gently knocked his shoulder into hers.
“I don’t need anything.”
“Sounds fair to me,” Eliot said. “It takes a lot of bravery to go to the nurse.”
It really didn’t.
It was something normal people did all the time. Without needing a treat after.
But what if there was a really cute sloth?
“How come you’re going home?” Marcus asked as they walked toward the infirmary.
“Marcus,” she whispered.
“What?”
“It might be private.”
“Oh. Sorry.” Marcus grimaced. “I blurt out whatever I’m thinking. It’s a pretty adorable trait. Mostly.”
“It is pretty adorable,” she said, smiling at him.
He grinned back before wrapping his arm around her. She leaned into him. Lord, she was so tired.
“I suppose you could say that I thought I was ready to come back, only to find I wasn’t. I used to come here regularly.”
“Oh, what—”
She reached up and put her hand over Marcus’ mouth. “Sorry. He loves asking questions.”
“I can tell.” Eliot smiled at her. “It’s all right. It’s not a secret. I stopped coming because my wife died. She was my Little girl, the love of my life. She died nearly three years ago of breast cancer.”
