Page 24 of Maddox

I nodded, taking it all in. My eyes scanned the room, both hoping and dreading to see Maddox. But he wasn't there.

"Maddox isn't here," Abby said gently, seeming to read my mind. "He wanted to give you space. But if you'd like him to be—”

“No,” I rushed out. I didn’t need Maddox. I didn’t. Despite the Little voice whispering in my ear that I was lying.

Abby was lots of fun, even if sometimes I couldn’t keep up as she seemed to jump to different topics as if we’d already had a conversation about them that I’d missed. Her best friend Roxy took charge and translated at that point, so I didn’t get lost, and Abby grinned and never let it upset her.

“I wish I was like you,” I whispered at one point while we were riding the train that seemed to circle the room and was so much fun.

She tilted her head at me. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me. I drive most people crazy.” She flushed. “Except Daddy.”

I desperately wanted a Daddy. I could feel myself sinking into my Little space, but I felt too nervous to let go.

“You remind me of Sadie.” She said, and then she brightened. “I spoke the context,” she said excitedly.

“Yes,” I said encouragingly after a moment because it seemed she was excited even though I didn’t really understand.

“No, I don’t normally,” she shared. “I tend to say things and think all the rest of the stuff in my head so when it comes out of my mouth it can seem a bit random.”

I beamed because she was so happy. “Who’s Sadie?”

“She’s a rescue dog. Poor lamb. She was very growly for a while and it made Daddy worry, but she didn’t trust us. She expected people to hurt her, and it took a while for me to know she preferred turnip.”

I blinked but then Abbie sighed. “I did it again, didn’t I?”

I clasped her hand because this seemed important. “I want to understand.”

“Sadie hates carrots. She likes green beans and turnip mixed in her food, but because she hated carrots, I thought that meant she hated me.” I still wasn’t sure I understood. Abby gripped my hand. “The important thing is that Daddy understood why I was upset.”

It was? To me the important thing was that the dog got fed what she liked.

“Men can be like vegetables,” she confided. “Sometimes they want to give you carrots because root vegetables are important, when you really want ice cream. The tricky thing is finding a Daddy that knows how important ice cream is after you eat the carrots. Like Maddox.”

I blinked. How had we gone from carrots to Maddox?

The train stopped and the door opened to the Little room almost at the same time. Maddox stood there and his gaze zeroed on me. I knew Maddox fell in the ice-cream category, because I wanted nothing more than to lick him all over.

Chapter Nine

MADDOX

My heart stuttered when I saw Clare sitting on the little train with Abby. She looked beautiful, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright. For a moment, our gazes locked, and I saw a flicker of something—longing? fear?—in her eyes before she quickly looked away.

I forced myself to take a deep breath and stay where I was. The last thing I wanted was to overwhelm Clare or make her uncomfortable. This night was for her to explore her Little side in a safe environment, not for me to push my own agenda.

“Max!" Abby called cheerfully, waving me over. "Look who decided to join us!"

I approached slowly, keeping my body language open and non-threatening. "Hi Abby, Clare," I said softly. "I hope you're both having a good time."

Clare nodded, not quite meeting my eyes. "It's...nice," she said quietly.

“We were just talking about vegetables," Abby announced. "And how sometimes Daddies try to give you carrots when you really want ice cream."

I couldn't help but chuckle at Abby's unique way of explaining things. "Is that so?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at Clare. "And what kind of vegetable do you think I would give you, Clare?"

Clare's cheeks flushed an adorable pink. "I...um..." she stammered. clearly flustered by my question.

I immediately regretted putting her on the spot. "It's okay, you don't have to answer that," I said gently. "I'm just glad you decided to come tonight."

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