“Your ex, was she your Little too?” she dared to ask.
“She was. And the man who she cheated on me with was a very close friend.”
“Oh, Linc.” She slipped her hands around his neck. “I’m so sorry.”
“That’s why I can’t stand lies. They lied to me for so long. I felt stupid, duped. If Jessica had just told me that she no longer wanted to be with me, then I could have walked away without feeling like a fool. Instead it went on for months behind my back. I finally caught them. In our bed. I’d gone out to meet a business associate for dinner but forgot my wallet. Couldn’t believe it when I walked into the house and found them . . . well, you don’t need to know the details.”
“What jerks,” she said angrily.
“Well, at least there are positives.”
“There are?”
“Hmm. Yes, it gave me the push I needed to give up my boring job and do something I had always wanted to do. I got a job here as a ranch hand and worked my way up. I decided that if I ever found someone I wanted, someone I thought could be mine forever, then I wouldn’t hesitate, wouldn’t wait. I’d tell her what I wanted and I’d make sure she knew she was mine.” He kissed her. Hard. Hot. “You’re who I want, Mari-girl. For always. I don’t expect you to tell me the same. Not yet. But I have no doubts. You’re gonna be mine.”
There was something so safe in his confidence. There were doubts, she couldn’t deny them. Worry that they hadn’t known each other long. That the newness would rub off and he’d realize he didn’t want her anymore. But for now, she felt special and cared for.
“All right. Enough procrastinating. Limits. We’ve already talked about anal play. So that’s okay.”
Eek. Talk about jumping right into it.
“Now I read that diabetes can give you nerve damage, so I think we’ll skip any sort of bondage.”
“I don’t have any nerve damage. My diabetes is pretty well controlled. There are times when I go too long without eating or get a bit stressed or when I’m ill that I can have problems. But we could just try tying my hands? And for a short amount of time?”
“We can talk to Doc about it.”
“Talk to Doc? Do we have to?” she squeaked.
He grinned. “It won’t be the weirdest question he’s had, I promise you that. You gave me the list of everything to watch for and what to do. But what about any other injuries? Allergies?”
“No, nothing else.”
He nodded. “We’ll ease into things. I’ll only use my hand and the small paddles we bought you today. Punishments will be short, not prolonged in any way and I’ll check in with you often.”
It was a relief how seriously he took her health. She knew that she could trust him with it. Which was amazing since she’d never had anyone she could rely on.
“You always have your safeword. Like I said before, I fear I could be too indulgent with you. Maybe I should just take you over my knee and spank you each evening to make up for my indulgence during the day, to cover any naughtiness I miss while I’m working.”
“What! No!” That didn’t sound fair at all.
“No? Oh, wait, I just had another good idea.”
She was starting to see that his idea of good ideas and hers were vastly different.
“What?” she asked suspiciously.
“Each evening, after you’ve had dinner and gotten ready for bed, you can sit on Daddy’s knee and tell him all the mischief that you got up to. Then we’ll add ticks to your naughty girl chart.”
“I don’t have a naughty girl chart.” And she didn’t need one.
“I’m sure we can make you one. I’ll get another whiteboard for it.”
She groaned. “You’re one of those people aren’t you, Daddy?”
“One of what sort of people?”
“Someone who really loves their lists.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You have something against lists? Isn’t it good to be organized?”
She shook her head. “Organized. Lists. How did we ever become friends?”
“Must have been my irresistible charm.” He grinned at her. “And yes, Mari-girl. I love lists. You’re going to love them too.”
Somehow, she doubted that.
“Any more limits?” he asked her
She dropped her gaze to her hands. “Just don’t humiliate or call me names. I think that’s the one thing I couldn’t ever take.”
“Never, baby. Never. My little princess will only ever hear how beautiful and lovely she is. I promise. Now, we’re going to have to do your rules when we get home because we’re meant to meet with Doc in fifteen. And that man is grouchier than a bear with a sore paw when he’s kept waiting.”
23
“I really don’t think I need to go see the doctor,” Mari whined as Linc had her hold onto his shoulders while he pulled on her old sneakers. She needed some winter boots. The shoes he’d bought her wouldn’t be suitable for the snow and ice.
After tying them up, he stood and grabbed one of his old coats from the coat closet. It was miles too big for her, but it would keep her warm. When he put it on, she looked like a girl playing in Daddy’s clothes.
Too damn cute for his peace of mind.
He did up the buttons, then rolled up the sleeves so they weren’t hanging off the end of her arms.
“We need to check with him that you’ve been getting the best care up to now. Which I don’t think you have. Didn’t you say there was a pump you could use to keep watch on your blood sugar levels?”
“Yes, but they cost money.”
“And I explained that’s going to be covered.” He cupped the side of her face. “Stop worrying. Let’s meet with Doc and see what he says.”
She chewed her lip. “I don’t like doctors, they always make me feel stupid. I never understand what they’re saying. And I always feel like I’m doing something wrong.”
“Hey, Doc isn’t going to make you feel like that,” he told her in a kind voice. “Okay? Sure, he’s grouchy and has a terrible bedside manner.”
She frowned and he inwardly cursed himself. He wasn’t doing the best job at soothing her.
“But he’s not ever going to be mean or condescending. Doc will just want what’s best for you, like I do.”
“So he won’t be mean to me?”
Damn it, why had no one taken care of this sweet girl? Well, none of that mattered now. He’d ensure that no one was ever mean to her again. “Do you really think I would ever let someone be mean to you?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“That’s right. Never. I would never let anyone harm you, Mari-girl. Because you are precious to me. Even if I wasn’t there, Doc wouldn’t be mean. I promise you. Bossy, yes. Mean, never. Remember, he’s got his own Little girl.” He reached into the closet for a hat and scarf for her. “You might even have heard of her.”
“Of course I’ve heard of her. I’ve met her, remember?” she said as he wrapped the scarf around her neck and then plonked the hat on her head, covering her eyes. “And is all this necessary? It’s not that cold and we’re driving.”