Page 141 of Daddy P.I. 3.0

I don’t stomp downstairs, because even fierce, white, baby dragons are respectful of their Daddy’s staircases. Also, I think I heard Mr. De Leon come up for a nap in my little room while I was dressing, so I don’t want to wake him. I go arm-in-arm with Laurel. She mentions wanting to find a dragonish present from the flight for Fleur and I agree.

At the bottom of the stairs, I kiss Laurel on the cheek and tell her I’ll meet her in the kitchen.

I turn into Daddy’s office.

He’s sitting at his desk, typing something on his computer. I kneel next to his desk and wait.

After a minute, he stops typing and I hear the whoosh of a sent email. I don’t think Daddy knows how to turn off notification noises. My poor Luddite Daddy.

He turns in his chair and puts his bare feet on either side of my knees.

“That’s a spectacular outfit, baby doll. I feel like it needs a jeweled pink butt plug, though.”

Daddy and his thing for pink.

“May I be excused to get the plug, Daddy?” I ask.

“In a minute. Did you come to check on me or is there something you’d like to say?”

“Something I’d like to say.”

“You have my full attention, little girl.”

I fold my hands together in my lap and look up at him. “I’d like Lucy to leave. And I’d like to make it clear to her that I have no objection to your topping arrangement but I’d prefer that she doesn’t come over outside of your scheduled scenes. The house is my safe space. I don’t want her in it.”

Daddy rubs his chin. “Okay, sweetheart. I hear you. This is absolutely your safe space and if there’s anyone you don’t want in it, I’m happy to exclude them. In fact, I’m happy to move myremaining scenes with Lucy to the club. Can I ask what brought this on?”

“I don’t like that she came here seeking emotional support. I know what’s going on with Fleur is upsetting for everyone. But she shouldn’t be leaning on you for emotional support. That’s not the relationship she asked for, nor the one you agreed to. I feel like this is pushing the boundaries in exactly the way I told you I was afraid of at the start. I’ve been understanding of her asking you to top her. I’ve been the bigger person even when I’ve felt the green-eyed monster nipping at me. I’ve obeyed your rules about being respectful to guests. But I’m not okay with her crossing this line.”

Daddy smiles and holds out his arms. “Come here, little girl.”

I climb up into his lap. He gives me a deep, sweet kiss, sinking his hand into my hair and holding me in that daddy way that tells me I’m safe and loved and appreciated.

“I am so proud of you, Emmy,” he breathes against my forehead when he lets me up for air.

“Because I’m a fierce, white, baby dragon wearing cat ears?”

His chuckle buzzes against my skin. “Yes, that’s exactly why. But also because I know how much courage it took for you to tell me this. You’re my wonderful, brave little girl and I am so proud of you.”

“You’re not a little mad that I’m excluding Lucy from your house?” I ask.

“Not the tiniest bit. First of all, it’sourhouse. You have just as much right as I do to say who can and can’t be inourhouse. Second, I’m just so proud of you for recognizing that this crossed a boundary for you and telling me that I don’t have any space in my heart to be mad. I ask a huge amount of you, Emmy. It’s very important that you be able to say, ‘this is enough, Daddy.’ You say it so rarely, and I’m so pleased you have.”

I squeeze his firm middle.

“Would you like me to go tell her?” Daddy asks.

“If I do it respectfully, can I?”

“Of course, sweetheart. Do you want backup?”

I consider it for a moment. “If I do it in the hallway with the office door open so you can hear me and make sure I’m saying the right things, would that be okay?”

He kisses my forehead. “It would but whatever you say will be the right thing, baby doll. This is your house, your safe space. There’s nothing wrong about asking someone who is making you uncomfortable to leave it.”

As resolute as only a baby dragon can be, I nod and climb off his lap. “With or without the butt plug?”

“Whatever will make you feel more comfortable, my sweetheart,” Daddy says, sliding his hand up my skirt to pat my bottom. “But please put it in afterwards if you decide to speak with Lucy without it.”

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