Page 13 of Examining Ella

“You’re the doctor on the cruise?”

“One of them,” he said with a nod. He turned and grabbed a stethoscope from the counter. Once he was facing Ella again, he stepped closer. “There are a handful of us. It’s a working vacation. We volunteer our services, that way, between us all, the sick bay is covered. But we have a lot of fun, too. There’s plenty of time to relax and enjoy all the amenities.”

“You’re here with your Little?” she probed, hoping she wasn’t being too obvious.

“No,” he said. “Here looking for a Little. Or I was.”

What does he mean by that? Ella wondered. Has he found another passenger? Or is he referring to her? The grin he wore—along with the suggestive gleam in his eyes—suggested the latter.

Her heart thumped. Her blood was racing. He’d discover her excitement soon enough when he put that stethoscope to her chest.

“Dr. Kirk?” she said.

“Yes, Little Ella?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat and focused on forcing out her words. “I signed up for the Little experience.”

It took him a moment to realize the meaning of her words.

When passengers fill out their registration, they indicate how they are to be treated. Dr. Kirk understood and smiled.

“Of course, honey. That makes perfect sense. You are a Little, after all.”

She nodded.

And you’re a Daddy, she thought. But she didn’t say that part.

“I’m going to listen to your heart,” he said.

“But I’m excited,” she admitted.

At this point, she was just going for broke. Why not?

“Why are you excited, honey? Because you’re on the big boat?”

She giggled. “And because you’re here.”

“Ah. I see,” he said. He was all smiles as he put the stethoscope’s end on her chest and listened. After a few seconds, he moved it to her back.

“Everything seems fine,” he said. “Let me check your temperature. Now typically with Littles, we use your cute bottom. It gives a more accurate reading.”

Ella tensed. She’s the one who’d pointed out she desired the full Little treatment. And she had an agreed upon safe word that was listed in her paperwork—which the doctor had reviewed in her chart. If she wanted to stop this, she could.

She decided to let it ride.

“Are you steady enough to stand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hop down, then. Let’s get those cute shortalls off you.”

Miraculously, Ella didn’t feel unsteady on her feet as she slid off the exam table. There was something calming about Dr. Kirk’s presence.

About Daddy’s presence…

Chapter Ten

Dr. Kirk smiled, his eyes never leaving the sight of Little Ella.

---