Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 166(@200wpm)___ 133(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
I draw in a breath. I owe him this. “It was just me and my father. My mother left soon after I was born and never came back. My father did his best, but he wasn’t a very affectionate man, and he didn’t really know how to handle a child.”
“Where is he now?”
“He died when I was twenty.”
“And you’ve been alone since then?”
I nod.
“Tell me about your job situation.”
I might as well spill the details. It’s not very interesting. “I never went to college, but I’m a hard worker, and I do my best to make ends meet. I’ve never been homeless, but things have been tough lately, and I won’t be able to pay my rent this month. I probably wouldn’t have been able to pay it even if I hadn’t lost my job, but definitely not now that I’ve lost three days with a concussion.”
He strokes my biceps with his thumbs. “I’m so sorry, Little one. That must be stressful.”
I shrug. “I’ve managed. Until now.” Tears threaten to fall, but I suck them back and shake off the icky feelings.
“Do you want me to unfasten you and hold you?”
I shake my head. “No.” I can’t explain how I feel secure when he restrains me. It’s odd, but I think he knows. It was sweet of him to ask, but he knew I would turn him down.
He lifts his hands to my face and swipes his thumbs under my eyes. “Take a deep breath and let it out, Baby girl.”
I do as I’m told.
“Good girl. I need you to know that you’re not alone anymore. You will never be alone. You have my word. This is your home now. I will take care of your apartment and make sure your final bills are paid.”
My breath hitches. I’m not sure I can accept that kind of help from him.
He shakes his head. “It’s not negotiable, Little one, and there are no strings. You’ll stay here and let me ease your stress. You’ll stay here while you learn to trust me. One day, you will know in your heart that you belong here. While you’re adjusting, you’ll submit to me because you need to. Starting today you’ll sleep in your crib in your nursery. You’ll follow my rules and do as I say. You’ll develop a new routine that makes you feel secure and loved. When you’re ready, you’ll come to me and offer me your body. When you’re ready, you’ll move into my bed and sleep in my arms. When you know in your heart I will never let you down, that part of our dynamic will change.”
The room is spinning, and I clench my thighs together. His intensity is overwhelming and sexy at the same time. I suspect it’s going to be pure hell not adding sex to our relationship, but I understand what he’s asking for. I owe him that. I owe him the respect of waiting until I’m certain about us before I let him into my body.
“Yes, Sir,” I finally respond.
His smile lights up my insides. “Good. Now, let’s get some food in you.”
Chapter Ten
The air has shifted in the room as I open my mouth and let Daddy feed me. He hasn’t changed. I have. He’s given me a lot to think about. My nipples are still hard points, craving attention. I suspect he gave me that small taste of what it will be like between us so I’ll know.
It worked. I get it. His simple touch over my shirt was enough to show me that we will be explosive between the sheets. When I’m ready.
I’ve had sex before. I’m not a virgin. But I’ve never had good sex or meaningful sex. I’ve never been in love. I don’t even know what love is.
I’m oddly calmer now that Daddy has laid down the law. It’s easier to let go of my apartment because he didn’t ask. He took over. He’ll get me out of my lease without even consulting with me. It would be foolish to even try to suggest I’ll pay him back.
Daddy isn’t asking me for money. He hasn’t mentioned my joblessness a single time. He doesn’t care that I don’t have work or prospects. He wants me to be happy and healthy.
It will be hard for me to let someone else take care of me in that way. Daddy will take care of me in every way, but the financial part is the hardest. I’ve scraped by and been independent from the moment I could get a job.
A weight has lifted. I have nothing to lose. I was going to lose my apartment anyway. Now I have a place to stay and less urgency to get a job. I have a man who cares about me and wants to help me.
I can do that much. I can let him take care of me while I sort through my feelings. It’s not as though anyone ever did anything to me to cause me to have trust issues. Except maybe my mother… Maybe. But I never knew her, so I never thought about her abandonment.