Page 10 of Forfeits

I settled up with the receptionist, paying the fee outright since I didn’t have health insurance myself and we no longer had access to Daniel’s comprehensive plan. Lucy’s grandparents—Daniel’s mom and dad—had offered to pay for Lucy’s dental needs and encouraged me to stay up-to-date with whatever was recommended. I was very grateful for that and appreciated them giving me a financial hand. They seemed happy to do it, and it let them be involved in a way that fulfilled them.

Lucy spent a weekend every month with Daniel’s parents, which was hugely helpful to me and extremely beneficial to Lucy. She loved her grandparents, and I was thrilled that she had such a close relationship with them.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s go.”

We got in the car, and I started the engine.

“So, Dad, what did you think of Mr. Thompson? He’s hot, right?”

My ears burned. “I beg your pardon?”

“Aiden. I think he’s gay. Do you think he’s gay? I wonder if he has a boyfriend…”

“Lucy, this is not an appropriate discussion.”

“I’m just saying, he seems like a pretty cool guy. You could do a lot worse.”

“I—I can’t date your supply teacher.” Could I? No. Probably not.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s…it’s not appropriate,” I said, hating that that was true.

“Why do adults say that so often?”

I sighed. “Because there are…rules to the way society…works. I don’t know.”

I gave up and did the only thing I could think of to change the subject.

“You want to get pizza for supper tonight? I’ll let you pick the place.”

“Awesome! I guess this makes up for the dentist appointment.”

“Uh-huh.” I mumbled, pulling out of the parking lot and into rush-hour traffic.

“Can I get a pizza to myself? So I can get pineapple on it?”

“I guess so.”

“Yes!”

As I merged with the heavy traffic I asked about Mia and how she was doing.

Lucy started talking about her friend, and I was saved from more discussion about Mr. Aiden Thompson. If only I could turn my thoughts in another direction as easily as I’d switched Lucy’s focus.

* * * *

I’m naked and on my knees. Daniel stands above me, clothed, fondling a braided crop.

“You want this or the paddle? You can choose, Fletcher…this time.”

“The paddle.” I don’t even have to think about it.

Daniel smiles knowingly, his blue-eyed gaze on me with that singular intensity that tells me he is in the Dom zone that I love so much. He looks young and, even in this situation, I can see the love for me in his gaze.

He glances at the place where we keep our implements, then looks at me again.

The smile widens.

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