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The rest of the evening was perfect. Stephen dried Kaylee off and helped her into another one of his shirts and a pair of his socks that reached her knees. He untied the ribbon from her hair and spent a solid half hour brushing her silken locks. He offered her a bedtime snack, helped her brush her teeth, and read her another story.
The experience of getting her ready for bed and then tucking her in next to him solidified his desire to keep her forever. She fell asleep first, and he was content to lie awake for another two hours just watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. She also made the cutest noises in her sleep. He gathered her closer and finally shut his eyes.
Chapter 15
Kaylee sat across from Amanda in the Italian restaurant. It was their third time having lunch this week at the same place, and she could tell her friend was brimming with questions. As they ordered, Amanda kept peering at Kaylee with an overly curious gleam in her eye. Once the server walked away, Amanda’s eyebrows shot up and she said, “Well, how are things going between you and that hunk of a Daddy you’re seeing?”
A heated flush stole over Kaylee and she couldn’t suppress a grin.
“That good, huh?” Amanda leaned back in her chair, returning Kaylee’s smile. “Well, you look a thousand times happier than when I ran into you the other morning. Not gonna lie, I was worried about you. Also not gonna lie, Chad never quite passed the vibe check with me. I don’t know Stephen at all, but there’s a glow to you I’ve never seen before. He must be doing something right.”
“I didn’t expect I’d be spending time with a Daddy during my solo trip to Rawhide,” Kaylee admitted, “but he makes me happy. He’s sweet but also stern sometimes, and every night I look forward to our bedtime ritual.” She flushed. “I’ve stayed over at his place every night for the last six nights. I never thought being a Little was something that would appeal to me, but submitting to a Daddy like Stephen has awakened a yearning inside me that I can’t stop. I can’t get enough of him. It’s too bad it can’t last.” She blew out a rapid breath and her heart sank a little.
“Can’t last? What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m returning to Richmond in about three weeks, and Stephen just moved to Rawhide. I doubt I’ll be able to come back before summertime, and I certainly don’t expect him to wait around and pine for me. He’s the total Daddy package and I’m sure he’ll meet someone else after I leave.” She tried to ignore the surge of jealousy that coursed through her when she imagined Stephen taking another Little under his care, but it wasn’t easy, and it also wasn’t easy to ignore the heartache that pierced her at the idea of eventually saying good-bye.
The server bustled over with their drinks and Kaylee used the pause in conversation to further ponder the situation. She considered herself lucky for having met Stephen, but she wished the prospect of losing him didn’t hurt so badly. How could she return home and suddenly be without him?
Dammit. She’d broken the rules she’d set for herself before coming to Rawhide. She’d planned to unwind by playing with a few Doms in the dungeon and nothing more. No strings, no attachments, no heartbreak. Shit. She hadn’t wanted to open her heart to another man so soon after her breakup with Chad and for good reason—getting your heart broken sucked.
As soon as the server departed the table, Kaylee took a sip of her iced tea and wished Amanda wasn’t looking at her with pity.
“Ever considered a long-distance relationship?” Amanda ventured as she swirled a straw in her lemonade. “I know it’s not optimal, but you could take turns visiting one another. Plus, you could video chat every day if you wanted. If you really like this gentleman, I don’t think you should let geography fuck it up.” The gleam of pity left her eyes to be replaced with an encouraging smile.
“We haven’t had sex yet,” Kaylee whispered. Then she glanced from side to side to make sure no one had overheard. She expected Amanda to appear surprised, but she didn’t so much as bat an eye.
“Are you worried he’s not into you just because you haven’t done the deed yet? Because I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Kaylee darling. I walked past you guys yesterday in the cafeteria and you were so lovey-dovey into one another that you didn’t even see me. My point is, he’s probably trying to take it slow-ish and earn your trust. I realize you’ve shared a lot of other intimate activities, but just because you haven’t had sex yet doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to put a ring on it.”
“Don’t talk about rings! We’ve only been hanging out for a week.”
“Hanging out? Is that what the kids call it these days?” Amanda smirked and took a sip of her lemonade. “My guess is he’ll probably try to follow you back to Richmond. I mean look at you. You’re adorable and sweet as pie. What Daddy wouldn’t want you?”
Kaylee glared at her friend. “I wouldn’t want to ruin his plans. He moved to Rawhide to take a job as a security officer. He’s a retired detective and this is his second career. I’m not worth—” She stopped speaking the second Amanda’s eyes widened with outrage.
“You listen here, missy.” Amanda stabbed a finger in her direction. “You’re an amazing woman and youareworth it. If I hear you put yourself down again, I’ll tattle to your Daddy.”
“Fine.” Kaylee crossed her arms and huffed. “Now, let’s change the subject. What about you? How’s your life going?”
Amanda patted her perfectly coiffed hair as a soft smile played about her lips. “Curious about my most recent exploits in the dungeon, are you?” She leaned forward with a wicked glint in her eyes. “Very well. I suppose it’s only fair I tell you about my recent escapades since you’ve told me about yours.”
The women continued chatting and enjoyed a delicious lunch at the restaurant, Kaylee opting for baked ziti while Amanda had chicken parmigiana. They shared a basket of crusty bread and eventually ordered a bottle of wine. Amanda didn’t have anywhere to be until eight tonight—a session in the dungeon with a Dom she’d recently met—and Kaylee wasn’t due to meet up with Stephen until five.
She wasn’t certain what tonight’s festivities would hold, but he’d promised her there would be a special surprise. She couldn’t keep the smile from her face whenever she thought about him, and she felt a little guilty for zoning out a few times while Amanda talked about her new job or her favorite new store in town.
Maybe the surprise was another cute outfit. She still couldn’t believe how many Little outfits he’d purchased for her this week. Short pretty dresses in pastel shades, more brightly colored holiday dresses, a collection of drop-seat pajamas, a schoolgirl uniform, knee-high socks, and the list went on. He’d gotten her books and numerous stuffed animals too.
She’d felt strange the first time he handed her a stuffed animal, unsure what to do with it. Of course, she’d thanked him and she was touched by the gift—a soft stuffed bear—but later in the night as she’d settled more into Little-mode, she’d found herself contentedly hugging the stuffie while she and her Daddy watched a movie together.
Heat flowed through her when she recalled some of the naughtier toys Stephen had acquired. Like the butt plugs and the vibrating wand. He’d used both on her already and she fought the urge to squirm in her seat as she remembered how violently she’d shattered with a plug seated in her bottom and the wand teasing her clit.
Lunch concluded, Kaylee hugged Amanda good-bye and started back to her room. She answered an unexpected work call and finally got ready to go to the gym and pool. Too bad a certain muscular Speedo-wearing Daddy wouldn’t be there, but she reminded herself she would see him soon. She would spend another amazing night in his arms.
She only wished she could freeze time and make December last forever.
She considered Amanda’s advice, but a long-distance relationship sounded complicated and stressful. How could she continue falling deeper in… well, love wasn’t the right word—affection?—for Stephen but not see him every day?
Her fear of loneliness, especially during the holidays, had driven her to take the month-long vacation to Rawhide Ranch. But what if Stephen had other plans for Christmas and New Year’s? He hadn’t specifically asked if she wanted to spend those days with him. For all she knew, he might have friends nearby he was planning to visit. Hell, he might even be planning a quick trip back to Chicago.
