Page 20 of Puck Me Daddy

Demian nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Not what you expected, huh?"

I shook my head. "Not exactly. I thought we were maybe going to the beach."

Demian smiled. “I’d love to go to the beach with you. We’ll do that soon. But I think you’ll enjoy this too.” He squeezed my arm gently, his voice low and reassuring. "It's a private space, Tilly. For people like us. Littles and their caregivers can be themselves here, safe from prying eyes."

My heart thudded in my chest, a mix of excitement and nervous energy pulsing through my veins. In my time as a journalist, I’d learned a lot of secrets. But I never knew about this. A whole world hidden within the city I thought I knew.

Demian got out of the car and came around to open my door. He held out his hand, and I took it, stepping onto the quiet sidewalk. The air was cool, but my palms were slick with sweat. I wiped them discreetly on my coat, trying to steady my breathing.

He led me to the door, where he knocked sharply, three times. A small panel slid open, and a pair of eyes appeared. They widened slightly at the sight of Demian, and the door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit hallway.

"Welcome back, Mr. Pierce," the doorman said, stepping aside to let us in.

Demian nodded, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back. "Thanks, Jake. It's good to be back."

We stepped inside, and the door closed behind us with a heavy thud. The sound echoed down the hallway, and I jumped slightly, my nerves on high alert. Demian's hand rubbed soothing circles on my back, his touch grounding me.

The hallway opened up into a large room, and my breath caught in my throat. Before us stretched a gleaming ice rink, smaller than regulation size, but beautifully maintained. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, their reflection dancing on the frozen surface. Around the rink, couples skated hand in hand, their laughter echoing through the air. Some wore bright sweaters or playful onesies, their cheeks flushed with joy and exertion.

A surge of delight washed over me, and I couldn't help but grin. It was like stepping into a snow globe, a tiny world of childlike wonder tucked away from adult responsibilities. My fingers itched to grab my notebook, to capture this hidden sanctuary in words. But this wasn't a story I could tell. This was a secret, a precious gem to keep tucked away in my heart.

Demian turned to me, his eyes soft. "What do you think?"

I nodded, my grin widening. "It's perfect."

He smiled back, his hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair from my face. The touch was gentle, almost innocent, but it sent a spark of heat through me. I leaned into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed for a moment. When I opened them, Demian's gaze had darkened, his pupils dilating slightly.

He cleared his throat, his hand dropping to help me out of my coat. "Let's get you ready to skate."

I nodded, slipping off the coat to reveal the pastel t-shirt and hotpants underneath. Demian's eyes raked over me, his jaw tightening. He approves, I thought, a thrill of satisfaction coursing through me.

He led me to a bench by the rink, then handed me a large paper bag I hadn’t realized he’d brought in with him. “I love youroutfit, baby girl,” he said. “It’s perfect. But I brought this for you to slip on top to keep you cozy while you skate.”

I opened up the paper bag to find a super cute onesie. It had little doggy ears and looked a lot like Bernie the St. Bernard, the mascot for the Colorado Avalanche. I squealed with delight. “I love it!”

I put it on, loving how soft the fabric was against my skin and how protected I felt with my arms and legs covered.

“Let’s find the right pair of skates for these little feet,” he said, taking a look at my feet and then grabbing a couple of different pairs of white skates with little hearts and rainbows on them.

Kneeling before me, he helped me step into the first pair, and I was amazed that they fit perfectly. His strong hands were gentle as he laced them up. His fingers brushed against my ankle, and I suppressed a gasp, the touch sending jolts of electricity straight to my core.

He looked up at me, his eyes holding a question. I nodded, my cheeks flushing pink. Yes, I wanted this. Yes, I was ready.

Demian smiled, rising to his feet. He held out his hand, and I took it, stepping onto the ice. The cold seeped through my skates, grounding me, anchoring me to this moment. This was real. This was happening. And I couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

The ice stretched out before me, a glistening expanse of cold, hard reality. I took my first cautious step, the blade of my skate digging into the surface. A wobble, a slight slip, and then Demian's firm grip steadied me. His hand was warm, secure, a lifeline in this foreign territory.

"Easy there, baby girl," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. "I've got you."

I looked up at him, my heart pounding. His eyes were filled with an intensity that made me feel both exposed and cherished.He believed in me, and that made all the difference. I took another step, and another, Demian's hand never leaving mine.

The air was cool, crisp, filled with the sound of blades cutting into ice and the distant hum of conversation. The fairy lights above us twinkled, casting a soft glow that made everything feel just a touch magical. I pushed off, gliding a few feet before wobbling again.

Demian chuckled, a warm sound that wrapped around me like an embrace. "That's it," he encouraged, his voice steady and sure. "You're doing great."

I beamed at him, my cheeks flushing with pride. It was silly, really—I was just skating, something kids did every day. But here, with Demian, it felt like more. It felt like I was learning to let go.

He skated backwards, his movements fluid and confident. He held out his hands, beckoning me toward him. I hesitated, then pushed off, gliding towards him. My steps were tentative, but his smile grew wider with each one. I reached him, my hands landing in his, and he pulled me close, steadying me.

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