Page 7 of Saul

He nodded, then released my chin, and I immediately missed his touch. “Go get in the shower.” I did as I was told, but my head was buzzing; not even one day and I was in danger of forgetting Saul was here to do a job. And I couldn’t forget that. It would beso easy to let my little out and let Daddy…Saultake charge, but what happened on Sunday when he went home?

I deliberately took too long in the bathroom so when I was done I had just enough time to drag on my pants and a plain button-up that I’d carefully taken in with me, so when I came out of the bathroom and saw my black shorts and my black tee with the sparkly teddy and the rainbow on it laid out on the bed I came to an abrupt halt.

“Chris called. Ricky says he’s going comfortable so I guessed you might like the same.”

I stared at Saul, who looked up from reading his phone, then my gaze fell back to the bed. It was one of my favorite outfits, and one I hoped I might get chance to wear after the wedding, but it was okay for Ricky. He had Chris. No one would say anything to him. I shook my head mutely. “I can’t.”

Saul put his phone in his pocket and sauntered over to me. “Why?”

I sent him an incredulous look. “Because I don’t know most people here. A lot are Christopher’s friends or from work. I can’t—” I waved my hand at the bed.

“But Ricky is,” he said.

“Yes, and Ricky’s got Chris. He—”

“And you have me,” Saul said quietly, but very firmly. “I promise if anyone so much as looks at you in the wrong way, they’ll be leaving the reception in a body bag.”

And because that was so ridiculous, my lips twitched, and when he winked that was it, and I giggled. Then he looked really pleased with himself and shrugged. “Well, they’ll still be alive sort-of, but they’ll be leaving.”

I glanced at the outfit and knew I desperately wanted to wear it, but I was torn. I knew the clothes would make my Littlepeek out, as Saul had called it, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself or anyone else. “You promise?” I whispered.

He nodded solemnly. “Cross my heart,” and he did.

But I was still nervous, and didn’t know how to explain. “It might make mesmaller,” I muttered.

He paused. “And by that we’re not talking about shrinking, we’re talking Little?”

I nodded, heat rushing to my face.

“And what in that scenario means I won’t still have your back?”

I gaped. Was he for real? “I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“I think you’ll find it takes a lot more than that.” And he kissed me on the tip of my nose.

He reached over for the pants, hunkering down in front of me. “Hang onto my shoulder.” Stunned, I did as I was told, and he quickly started re-dressing me. He removed the shirt then grabbed the tee. “Arms up.” A little bewildered, I obeyed. He brought the tee down and tucked it in, and I couldn’t help the shiver at the touch of his fingers. Saul frowned and walked to the closet. He hummed, then pulled out a pink sweater that was nearly as outrageous as the tee. “We’ll take this just in case you get a little chilly.” But he kept it in his hand, then he patted his pocket and pulled out his wallet, putting the room key in there. “Need anything else?”

Right at that moment I had a few ideas, but none I was about to repeat. “Okay Calvin, then let’s go.” He reached up and tucked a little of my flyaway hair behind my ear and I just about melted again. “You look adorable and I’m very proud to be your date.”

Okay, we needed to go because I was going to cry if he said any more.

“One thing. If you get scared, uncomfortable, or just need a break, ask me if you left your phone in the room. I promise to make sure we get some space, and I promise not to leave youalone.” He smiled. “Trust me.” He reached out and took my hand.

I nodded slowly. It seemed like that was all I was capable of doing. This wasn’t real, and I had to keep reminding myself of that. Promises were just words. Mom had promised every time not to get drunk again. She’d promised to stop partying, then not to fly into a rage when she was coming down after her high. She’d never promised I would have enough to eat, so technically she didn’t break that one.

I’d stopped believing in promises at around ten, but right that moment, fourteen years later, if I could have believed in one, it was to trust Daddy. My Little wanted to. He wanted to very much. Big me just wasn’t sure it was a good idea.

Chapter five

Calvin

“Calvin!”

I had a second to look up before I was practically tackled to the floor. In fact, if it hadn’t been for Daddy, Ricky and I would have both been sprawled out, but Christopher managed to corral Ricky, and Saul was a steady weight against my back, so I just enjoyed my hug.

“I think my ovaries just exploded,” Ricky whispered.

I snorted. "You don't have any." I didn’t roll my eyes, mostly because I agreed with Ricky’s assessment. He pressed into me again. “We’re dancing later, and you have to tell me everything.”

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