Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
I think about his suggestion. I don’t want to tell him I already have a system in place. I’m too embarrassed to tell him who it is. He wouldn’t understand. He would think I’m weird. “Okay,” I agree. This is the easiest response.
Chase picks up my bag and reaches out a hand for me. “Let’s get you home, Little one.”
When we get to the front desk, Misha eagerly agrees to swap numbers with me, and I find myself letting Chase enter her information in my phone before also sending Misha a text so she has mine.
Misha smiles warmly. She’s always very kind to me. Either she understands me on some level, or she’s just the sort of person who is kind to everyone. My friend Zia is always kind too. Both of them are club acquaintances though. I don’t see them outside of the Dungeon.
I didn’t see Zia after I first arrived. I haven’t even been here very long. I hope she’ll understand.
“Everything okay, Josie?” Chase asks, his brow furrowed. “Did you forget something?”
I turn my head, realizing I’ve been staring toward the club. “I forgot to tell Zia I was leaving.”
“I’ll let her know,” Misha says.
“Thank you. That’s very kind.” I meet her gaze. I don’t habitually look people in the eye. It often makes me uncomfortable. But I know it’s important. My counselor encourages me to do so. She says it will help me connect better.
I turn my gaze toward Chase and make eye contact with him next. I do feel more connected to him. I have no idea if it’s a good thing or not though. I certainly don’t want to be attached. He isn’t going to be in my life or anything. He’s just being kind.
Chase takes my hand again to lead me out the door. He holds my fingers loosely, never making any sudden movements.
When we get to his truck and he opens the passenger door, he turns toward me. “May I lift you up onto the seat, Little one?”
“Uh huh.” I find myself in the Littlest space I’ve ever been in. He brings something out of me I’ve never been aware of. A calmness is settling in around me. I don’t even mind him touching me, not even my hips as he lifts me into the cab.
As soon as I’m seated, he pulls the seatbelt across me, holding it out far enough that the cross strap doesn’t touch any part of me while he fastens it. Finally, he slowly lowers it across me.
I look down to see there’s some sort of padding attached to the seatbelt, all along the length. It’s pink. I stroke the soft cotton. “What’s this?”
“It’s a special padding that keeps the harsh edges of the belt from touching your neck or arms.”
“Why do you have it?”
“Because my sister has sensitivities, remember?”
Oh right. He mentioned that.
“She rides in my truck sometimes. She says the straps are too itchy. What do you think? Do you like it?”
I nod. I’m shocked. I’ve never seen one of these before. “I love it.”
Chase settles my bag on the floor below my feet and makes sure every part of me is tucked into the cab before shutting the door and rounding to the driver’s side.
He hands me his phone as he starts the truck. “Can you put your address in the GPS for Daddy, Little one?”
I enter it, noticing that it pops up on the dash also. Very safe.
“Perfect. Let’s get going then.” Chase pulls out of the parking lot and heads down the street.
I’m mesmerized. I can’t believe this is happening. The man I’ve secretly had a crush on for months is driving me home. He crawled under the table to help me get out of my itchy dress. He’s the kindest Daddy ever.
“You’re very quiet over there, Little one.” He glances at me before returning his gaze to the road. “Do I make you nervous?”
I shake my head. “No, Daddy.” I gasp as soon as the word comes out of my mouth.
He shoots me a smile. “I like the sound of that, Little one. I don’t like thinking you’re nervous though. I think you’re fibbing to Daddy.”
“Maybe a little,” I admit. “No one has ever been to my apartment. Are you going to come inside?” The idea stresses me. What will he think of me if he sees the inside of my apartment? I don’t think I’m ready for that.
“I’d like to at least make sure you get inside safely, Little one. You were pretty shook up at the club. Will that be okay?”
I don’t know. I hedge. “It’s kind of messy,” I lie.
He comes to a stop at a light and looks at me. “I don’t care about the state of your apartment, Josie. I care about you. I have for a while. I’m so glad you opened up to me tonight. I’d like to get to know you better if you’ll let me.”