Page 35 of Daddy Devious

“She’s perfect, Max,” Cat whispers, rocking gently from side to side as Victoria feeds. “I can’t wait to have one of my own.”

At the longing in her voice, I reach over and give her arm a squeeze. “Your time will come, Cat. Pretty soon this island will be overrun with naughty Little girls and you’ll be whining to all of us that your arm is tired from all the spankings you’re giving out.”

Another of those brilliant smiles stretches across Cat’s face. “Guess I’ll have to be more diligent about going to the gym.”

“Couldn’t hurt. We should all probably get some more cardio in. I have a feeling our Little girls are going to give us a run for our money.”

Tori

Being fed by Auntie Cat isn’t nearly as embarrassing as I thought it would be. It’s actually kind of nice, being held and rocked while I drink my milk. So nice, in fact, that the rocking lulls me into a sort of trance, a place where I’m floating on a sea of peaceful waves, without a care or worry in the world. I can’t even hear what the grownups are talking about, and I don’t really care. If I could float here, forever, I would.

But soon my bottle is empty, and we leave the restaurant to walk back across the street to Solene’s, the clothing boutique. It’shard to feel too pouty about being forced out of my happy, floaty place though when I’m surrounded by the prettiest dresses I’ve ever seen.

Solene reminds me of a tiny Snow White, with her pale skin and dark hair falling in perfect ringlets down her back, and she’s dressed just like me in a puffy white dress covered in purple flowers. “Victoria!” she squeals with excitement, throwing her arms around my neck. “My Mommy said you were finally here! I’ve beendyingto meet you!”

Finally? I just got here yesterday and she’s acting like I’ve been hiding somewhere for weeks. “Um, thank you?”

Behind Solene, a tall woman with dark hair pulled up in a tight bun clears her throat. Myra, her name tag says. “Solene. We’ve discussed this. No accosting your customers without their consent, little one.”

Pulling away, Solene blushes prettily as she brushes at her dress, and I get the impression she’s trying to look more grown up and professional. Which is admittedly difficult given she’s dressed like a toddler on Easter Sunday. “Sorry, Mommy. Victoria, your Auntie Cat had me set up a dressing room for you already, with some of her selections. But feel free to look around. And if there’s anything you like but you want it in a different color or something, just let me know and I’ll be happy to customize it for you.”

Daddy lets go of my hand and nudges me forward. “Go ahead, little one. I can’t promise to buy you everything you want today, but we can at least get a few items.”

Back in New York, clothes were a weakness I couldn’t really afford. Despite being in one of the most fashionable cities in the world, most of that fashion was off-limits to me.

And while the clothes in Solene’s little shop are a far cry from what you’d find in The Big Apple, I’m still in awe. Dressesin every color of the rainbow surround me, along with adorable overall sets, onesies, footed pajamas, and even?—

“Oh my god!” Squealing with delight, I race toward a display of princess dresses. They’re not exact replicas, but they’re so close I could swear whoever designed them must have worked hand in hand with the animators. “Daddy, please, please can I have a princess dress?”

“You may pick outoneprincess dress to play with, but you need some real clothes, too.”

I want to argue that I have plenty of “real clothes” in my gigantic closet back at his house, but I don’t want to risk upsetting him and losing out on my chance at an honest-to-goodness princess dress. “Yes, Daddy. Thank you!”

“You’re welcome, little thief. Now, which one do you want?”

A dilemma, to be sure. All of my favorite princess movies are represented, so how am I supposed to choose just one?

Putting on my prettiest pout, I look up at Daddy. “Are yousureI have to just choose one?”

My tummy does a nervous flip at the stern look he gives me. “Yes, Victoria. Just one.”

“They’re all so pretty, though,” I say with a heavy sigh. “I don’t know how to choose.”

“Oh, don’t be such a stick in the mud, Maxwell.” With a roll of her eyes for Daddy, Auntie Cat leans down and taps the end of my nose. “Which ones do you want, sweet girl? Auntie Cat will buy them for you.”

“Catharina…” Daddy trails off with a sigh. “Very well. But when she thinks she can just pout and get whatever she wants from Auntie Cat, don’t complain to me. You’re creating a monster and you know it.”

“Nonsense. It’s never hurt a Little girl to be spoiled a bit.”

An hour later, we leave the store, with a promise from Solene that our packages will be waiting for us when we get back home.Auntie Cat bought every single princess dress, even the ones I tried to convince her I didn’t need, much to Daddy’s aggravation. And I was so excited about trying on all the pretty clothes, I mostly forgot to be embarrassed by my diaper.

Mostly. I don’t think I’ll ever reach a place where it’s not a little embarrassing to be seen in it, but Auntie Cat made such a fuss over how adorable I looked, the humiliation faded quickly.

Now we’re on our way to the spa, but I’m still not sure why, exactly. Daddy and Auntie Cat are both being very secretive about it, and it’s making my tummy feel weird.

The weird feeling gets worse when the beautiful blonde woman at the front desk greets us with a toothy smile. “Hello, Little Victoria. Welcome to the Cozy Cradle Spa. Luna is waiting for you in the back. Your Daddy and your Auntie are welcome to go back with you, of course.”

Well, that’s good, because if it weren’t for Daddy’s hand firmly clamped around mine, I’m not sure I wouldn’t turn around and run straight back home.

---