Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Isla’s eyes grew heavier by the moment as she was lulled by the rocking of the chair and the way her Daddy was rhythmically patting her bottom. She was exhausted from all the energy she’d expended when she’d doubted him and everything she’d learned since then. Her mind was overloaded, but the sweet sound of music drifting softly from somewhere helped soothe her as well.

He kissed her head and finally broke the silence. “Will you stay here with me, Little Fish? I can’t stand the idea of sleeping without you.”

She thought about it and nodded. There was no way she felt like putting her clothes back on and heading back to her own hotel room. Besides, it would be lonely, and she would miss him. “What about Nado? He’s in my room.”

“How about if you go potty, brush your teeth, and climb into bed while I run downstairs and get him? I even have a new toothbrush you can use.”

“Will you get my phone charger, too?”

“I sure will. Anything else you need? How would you feel if I bring all your things up here and you can stay with me. I’ll sleep easier knowing that you’re safe.”

“Do you really think I’m in trouble?”

“Maybe I’m just overprotective. Or I could just want you close to me,” Caesar said.

“Mmm. Maybe that would be a good idea. I don’t have anything to wear in the morning.”

He nodded toward the dresser across the room. “It just so happens I have clothes for you, too, Little Fish.”

She gasped and twisted to look at him more directly. “You bought me clothes?”

“Yep, for when you feel like being Little. I bet you didn’t bring anything like that with you on vacation.”

She shook her head, dumbfounded. “No. I don’t even own clothes for being Little. I didn’t know people were Little in real life until I got here. What do Littles wear?”

“All sorts of things. Whatever makes them feel comfortable in their skin. Some Littles like to try different ages on different days. Some prefer a certain age range and stick with it.”

“Any age?” she asked, her expression incredulous.

“Yep. I took a guess and went for clothes an adult who prefers the age of about five might wear—in your size, of course.”

She turned to look at the dresser, her curiosity piqued. She’d been nearly asleep a few minutes ago. Now, she was wide awake. “Can I see them?”

“How about you explore the drawers tomorrow? It’s getting late, and you’re very tired.”

“I’m not so tired anymore,” she pointed out, still staring at the drawers.

He chuckled. “Would you like to sleep in Daddy’s T-shirt? Or would you like Daddy to find you some jammies?”

“Mmm." She bit into her bottom lip as she thought about his question. On the one hand, she liked wearing his shirt. It was so soft, and it smelled like him. On the other hand, she really wanted to see what sort of jammies he’d purchased for her. “Jammies, I think.”

Caesar lifted her to her feet, rose behind her, and took her hand. “Let’s see what we can find.” After leading her to the drawers, he opened the second one and pulled out a soft blue cotton set. The pale blue was covered with tiny fishes. There was a shirt and shorts.

When he held them up, she couldn’t keep from clapping her hands together. “How fun. I love them!”

“I’m so glad. Let’s see how they fit.” He whisked his T-shirt over her head so fast she didn’t have time to ponder her nudity before she stood before him, completely naked. He’d already seen every inch of her, tasted her, and been inside her… But this was different.

Isla felt very Little as he helped her step into the shorts before pulling the shirt over her head. He even pulled her hair out from the collar. “So pretty.” She threw her arms around him. “Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re so welcome, Little Fish.” He lifted her off the floor, settled her on his hip, and carried her out of the playroom.

Isla looked over his shoulder. She kind of loved that room already. It was so soothing and inviting. She wished she could stay in it forever and ever.

Daddy carried her to the master bathroom and stood her on her feet. “Potty. Teeth. Bed. I’ll be back in a few minutes. Don’t leave the apartment, understood?”

She tipped her head back. “Why?” Her heart beat faster. Did he think she was in danger, even on the fifth floor?

He gave her a warm smile, tipped her chin back, and kissed her. “No need to panic. We Daddy types tend to be overprotective and implement a lot of rules. Right now, I simply don’t want you to wander out of the apartment because it’s bedtime.”

“Oh.” She stared at him, fighting hard not to squeeze her thighs together. She secretly liked the idea of following his rules. It made her feel warm and…cherished. “Okay, Daddy. You’ll come right back with Nado?”

“I sure will, as well as with the rest of your things. Is your keycard for your room in your shorts?”

“Yes.” She’d left her pile of clothes on the floor of the playroom.

“I’ll get it.” He pointed toward the sink, brows lifted. As he left the room, she hurried to use the toilet first. After washing her hands and brushing her teeth, she found his brush and worked through the tangles in her hair. She liked to brush out her hair before bed. She always closed her eyes and imagined someone else doing it for her. Maybe her new Daddy would brush her hair sometimes.

With her eyes closed, she continued brushing, pretending it was Daddy doing it. A sigh left her lips.

“Isla?” She jerked her gaze up to find Caesar standing in the doorway.

She quickly set the brush down. “Sorry, Daddy. I…”

“You’re not in trouble, Little Fish. You looked so happy and content that I couldn’t resist standing here watching you, and then you let out that little sigh. What were you thinking about?”

She shrugged, feeling her cheeks heat. She couldn’t tell him, could she? It was embarrassing. Besides, what if he had no interest in brushing her hair?

He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her, and tipped her head back. “Tell Daddy,” he encouraged gently.

She drew in a breath and shrugged as if her thoughts were no big deal. “I always brush my hair at night and pretend someone else does it.”

“Ah. A Daddy?”

“Not really. I never pictured myself with an actual Daddy, so just a man. Someone nurturing, who liked to brush out my hair and lull me to sleep. It’s silly. Forget I said anything.”

“It’s not silly, Isla. It’s very sweet. I bet you had a lot of thoughts that involved someone nurturing you without realizing you were visualizing a Daddy. I’d love to brush your hair. I could do it for hours.” He reached back and grabbed the brush from the counter. “You’ve already done a great job for tonight, but how about if I run the brush through one more time just to be sure you got all the tangles out?”

She smiled broadly, so many huge feelings lodging in her chest. “I’d like that,” she whispered.

He stepped behind her and gently guided the brush down the back.

She immediately moaned softly. It felt so good—just like she’d visualized.

After several minutes, he returned the brush to the counter and leaned over to kiss her ear. “How was that, Little Fish?” he asked in a low, gravelly voice.

“So very nice, Daddy. Thank you.”

“I’ll do it every night and in the morning, too. I’d love nothing more than to fix your hair every day and work through the tangles at night.”

“Really?” She lifted her gaze to look at him in the mirror.

“Yep. It’s a Daddy's job. Fixing hair is our specialty. We don’t graduate from Daddy school until we can fashion two perfect braids. I can even thread a ribbon through the braids,” he declared.

She gasped. “You’re teasing me.”

He grinned. “Only a little. I’m exaggerating about Daddy school, but remember, there are five Littles already living here. Believe me, there have been plenty of times when one of them needed her hair done, and her own Daddy wasn’t around. I consider myself a pro by now.”

Isla giggled as she pictured this big, manly, muscular man fixing everyone’s hair. “Will you fix mine in the morning before we go downstairs?”

“Absolutely.”

She turned to face him. “Will it be weird? Will I be Little sometimes in front of the others?”

“Definitely. Most of the time, when the six of you are not in public, you will be Little. Anytime you’re on the fifth floor, for sure. Often in the basement, too. Celeste and Zara have a science lab in the basement where they work regular day jobs. They’re usually pretty professional when they’re working, but I’ve often seen them wearing pretty Little dresses under their lab coats, too. I suspect they consult each other and decide each day what they’re going to wear the next day.”

“That’s so fun. I can’t wait to meet everyone.” She was also a bit nervous and scared. “What if they don’t like me?”

“Oh, Little Fish. They will love you. I promise.” He spun her around. “Now, stop stalling. Time for bed.”

When she entered the bedroom, she spotted Nado propped up in the middle of the bed. Her charger was plugged in, and her phone was already attached to it on the nightstand. Her suitcase was propped against the wall. Her Daddy had thought of everything.

Was he too good to be true?

Shaking that worry from her mind, she hurried over and climbed under the covers. “Which side do you want me to sleep on?”

“The middle.”

She giggled. “That’s not a side, silly.”

“Nope. It’s the middle. That way, I can spoon you all night and not ever worry that you might fall off the edge.”

She giggled harder. “I don’t fall out of bed, Daddy. I haven’t fallen out of bed since I was a toddler.”

“I’m so glad to hear that. Let’s keep up that streak.” As he spoke, he removed everything, down to his boxers, turned out the lights, and climbed in beside her. True to his word, he hauled her close and manhandled her so that he could spoon her back.

She wanted to protest, but there was no way she would do any such thing. Not when it felt so good in his arms. Not when he kissed her shoulder and then nibbled a path to her ear. And certainly not when he whispered, “Go to sleep, Little Fish.” His breath tickled and made the fine hairs stand up on her arms. It also made her squirm.

She hugged Nado tightly and snuggled in closer to her Daddy. “I’ve never slept with anyone,” she murmured. “What if I snore or kick you? Maybe I’m restless.”

“Don’t you worry, Isla. I’m sure you’ll be fine. If you snore, I’ll get earplugs. If you’re restless, I’ll hold you tighter so you feel swaddled.”

She knew he couldn’t see her face, but she was smiling so big it almost hurt her cheeks. This entire thing was scary, though. It was happening so fast. Could it be real?

Part of her worried she would wake up tomorrow in her own bed in her own hotel room, alone and lonely. Maybe none of this had happened, and she was dreaming. That would make her very sad, and the negative thoughts turned her smile into a frown.

Caesar hugged her tighter. “Rest, Isla. Daddy’s got you. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”

It was as if he’d read her mind. She didn’t want to know if he could read minds, so she didn’t ask. Daddies were apparently very talented people, but that seemed over the top.

The thought made her smile again, though, and she took a few deep breaths and relaxed her body, letting sleep lure her under.