Chapter Six

The hotel suite was on the top floor of the fanciest building Taylor had ever been in.

It had a commanding view of the Manhattan skyline, the buildings' lights shimmering like stars against the deep autumn darkness.

And she was viewing it all from a giant tub filled with warm water and more bubbles than she thought possible.

"My men have gotten the items I requested," Ireneo said, walking into the overly spacious bathroom without knocking or announcing his presence beforehand.

The water splashed as she shifted in the tub to where she could see the king. He stopped to admire the view out of the large, floor-to-ceiling window that made up the wall before them. "Magnificent, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir," she said.

He turned his focus to her. For a moment, she grew self-conscious but realized he couldn't see her naked body thanks to the copious amounts of bubbles.

"I'm going to be frank."

She braced herself for what was to come, her mind reeling as she tried to figure out where he was going with this.

She never in a million years would have guessed what he said.

"You're a Little. It's evident in the way you talk and the way you hug your stuffie."

Her eyes grew wide. She sank a little in the bubbles, further shielding her face behind the white, foamy wall.

"You, uh, know about Littles, sir?"

He chuckled. "My dear, I am a Daddy. And the leader of Isla Solara. We have transformed ourselves from a poor, forgotten island nation to a bustling country flush with cash. Cash from tourism. We cater to the Littles and Bigs who port at our dock from the Little Star Cruise Line. Not everyone in my homeland is a Daddy. Or Mommy. Or even Little. But some are. We've become sort of a haven for them. Much like the Mountainville you have here in the States.

"But those that aren't, love them. And enjoy the cash they inject into our economy."

Taylor was stunned. For a moment, she considered the possibility that she was dreaming. But the excitement and nervousness that roiled in the pit of her stomach reminded her that she was very much awake.

Finally, she managed to croak out, "I'm a Little, sir."

He nodded in satisfaction, the smirk on his face letting her know there'd never been any doubt.

"Finish your bath, little girl. Take all the time you need to relax and enjoy the view. But be sure and clean every inch of your body. I will be inspecting to ensure you did a proper job."

She couldn't contain the shock she felt, rearing her head back, her eyes bugging out.

"When you are done, we will go over the rules."

She tried to speak, but it felt as if her tongue was superglued to the roof of her mouth. It took a few seconds to loosen it. Finally, she said, "Yes, sir."

He smiled and pulled some toys from the pocket of his suitcoat—two boats and a rubber duck—and placed them in the water.

She wanted him to keep his hand in the bath, penetrating the bubbles and moving lower to perhaps…penetrate her.

He didn't, though.

"Some of the things I had my men procure," he said with a satisfied smile. "As I said, little one, take all the time you need.

"Then, we're going to have a little talk."