Page 74 of Mob Knight

“Thank you, Cormac, but I still feel like there’s something I should do, some way to repay you.”

“Joey, this isn’t a debt. My forgiveness comes with no cost, no stipulations. I forgive you because I care about you and because I know you’re a good person. You care about others. You’re conscientious and giving. You’re kind. You’re intelligent. You’re resourceful. You’re brave. You take risks that’ll probably shave years off my life, but I can appreciate why you do. I admire plenty about you. It’s not just my physical attraction to you, so I won’t hold this against you. You’re still getting used to life connected to a syndicate.”

This would be the perfect time for me to explain more about my life growing up in Mexico. Instead, I keep my mouth shut.

“You don’t have to do anything for me. You don’t have to service me to make things right between us. Like I said, you accepted the punishment, and that’s all we need for amends between us.”

“Thank you, Cor.”

He unties the Shibari rope, then moves my arms around and rubs my tits as blood rushes back into them. He draws me over to the edge of the bed and lifts me onto it. It’s not like I’m soshort I couldn’t do it myself. It’s not like I would have to climb on like a little kid, but I enjoy being so much smaller than him, and I like how he can do that.

“Cormac, I don’t want you ever to think I take for granted that you care and that you take my well-being seriously. I don’t want you to think it goes unnoticed because it’s not just the security detail. It’s not just the punishments that show me you care. It’s in the little things, like just now. We both know I could get on that bed just fine—despite how short I am—but you made it just a little easier. In the few weeks we’ve been together, I’ve seen you do that repeatedly, and I don’t know if you’re a nurturer by nature. I don’t even know if you’re a protector by nature or by nurture, but whatever the reason, I know how fortunate I am to have you treat me like that. I appreciate how you take care of me and not just protect me. You do the small things to help me out, to make me feel important.”

“You are important, Joey. More so than anybody else I can think of outside of my family.”

We stare at each other for a long moment before we cup each other’s faces and lean in for one of our tender kisses. It doesn’t turn into anything more for once. It just remains languid.

A word pops to mind that’s wholly disconcerting. It’s not one I’ve ever thought of before for a guy I’ve dated or who’s been my Dom. Yet, for some reason, this one word seems to fit Cormac better than just sir.”

“Cor…You know?—”

I stumble over my words as I try to figure out how to broach this subject and whether he’ll run for the hills if I say what I’m thinking.

“Joey, you know you can tell me absolutely anything, especially if it’s something to do with us and improving our relationship.”

“You know even though I’m short, and I enjoy playing board games, and I enjoy letting you lead, I’m not a Little, right?”

He grins down at me, then tries to smother a chuckle, which sounds like he’s choking instead.

“Cailín, never in my wildest dreams would I think the woman who tackled me, pushed me down the stairs to protect me, stood in front of two men with guns, and then argued with me over seeing a doctor is a Little. Nothing about that makes me think you believe or want to be any age other than you are. Not when we’re scening and not when we’re in the regular world.”

“But you are protective of me, and you call me little girl and little one. You tell me you want me to be a good girl. Do you see yourself as something other than just a regular Dom?”

He straightens and then leans back slightly as he looks at me.

“Joey, what I’d like to think of myself as is your boyfriend. I’d like to think we’re building a relationship that has a future. I wouldn’t have brought you anywhere near me or my family if I didn’t think there’s a strong probability we have a future together. I didn’t say this before because I didn’t want to freak you out, but I’m in this for the long haul, and I want to be your boyfriend. I’d like you to consider being my girlfriend. On top of that, we have a dynamic where I’m the protector, like you said. But I’m not a Daddy Dom. I don’t want age play or anything like that. I do like the idea of you calling me Daddy, if that’s what’s on your mind. I don’t think of myself as a paternal figure. I’m not trying to replace your father. I think of it as much a term of affection as it is when I call youcailínor little one or little girl. I think it fits because of our dynamic. Is that what you were thinking, too?”

“Yes, exactly. I couldn’t have described it better. I want to think of myself as your girlfriend. I already hoped you’re my boyfriend.”

“I’m glad we agree about that. Is there anything else you want to talk about?”

“Not right now, Daddy.”

The word rolls off my tongue with ease. It’s only considering how easy it is to say that makes me think of my father. I never even called him Daddy. It’s not the word we use in Spanish, so it conjures no image of him unless I take the moment to draw the comparison now.

“Who am I, little one?”

“Daddy. My daddy.”

“That’s right.”

He leans toward me, boxing me in with a fist on each side of me.

“Scoot back, little one.”

That voice. That tone. All of it. It excites me more than I can explain.

“I know you’re innocent in the syndicates’ way of life. But promise me before we move forward that you’ll come to me if you’re ever in doubt.”

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