Page 30 of Rayna's Daddy

“I’m sorry, Kyler.” She sat the plate on the counter. “I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Yeah, you did.” I faced her. “Remember, no lying.”

“Okay, but I didn’t mean to say it so blunt like that. It was . . .” She searched for the term.

“Bratty.” I leaned back onto the counter.

“No.” She grabbed my arm. “It was mean. I’m just nervous talking about that side of me.”

“Why?”

“Because, I’m not your typical little.” She looked down. “Not like the ones I read about in books.”

“There’s no one right way to be a little.” I shrugged. “You’re little won’t ever get to fully come out if you’re not being yourself.”

“You’re last little. What was she like? What did she like to do?” She hugged herself. “How old was she?”

“She was six.” I smiled.

Rayna pursed her lips flat. Her thumb and forefinger flicked uncontrollably. Was my little girl jealous?

“She like to dress up in cute frilly outfits and give me fashion shows.” I went back into the living room. “She played with dolls and had a collection of stuffies that took up her entire crib. She would say she had to pay attention to all of them at least once per day or they would get jealous . . .” I cleaned up the rest of our dinner and placed them on the counter separating the kitchen from the living room. Rayna remained in the kitchen.

I tried not to react to the scowl on her face, but it amused me.

“What’s wrong, Rayna?” I slid the tray across the counter.

“Is that the kind of little you like?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“What does it matter?” I placed my hands on the counter and leaned toward her.

She stepped back.

“I’m not that kind of little at all.”

CHAPTER9

Dolls and stuffies.

Geez.

I took the dishes, he sat on the counter and put them in the sink. I opened the cabinet beneath the sink and grabbed the dishwashing liquid and stood back up.

“Rayna?”

“Yeah.” I plugged the sink with a stopper, pour some liquid soap in the sink and turned on the water.

“What kind of things does your little like doing?” He stared at me with those gray eyes, and I did my best to ignore him. His eyes were like weird tractor beams and apparently lie detectors. I must avoid them at all costs during my stay.

“Those things sound fun.” No, they didn’t.

I watched the sink fill up. I reached into the water to grab a plate.

“Wait!” He yelled.

I didn’t wait.

“Ouch.” I pulled my hand away. The water scalded my skin. “Owwweee.” I shook my hand out.

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