Page 53 of Jasper

Her smile doesn’t fade as she rolls her eyes. “Of course there will be rules. If you didn’t make rules, I’d think you were ill or something.”

This time, I glare at her and lean closer, so our faces are only inches apart. “You’re a sassy Little thing for someone who just entered a dynamic with a strict Daddy.”

She runs her fingers along my jawline, studying my face. “I trust you.”

Then she burrows into me once more, her small body warm and secure against mine.

I swallow and close my eyes, forcing myself to ignore the aching feeling in my chest.

She’s mine.

20

ARIANA

Last night, he took care of me.

Intimately. Carefully. Without a hint of impatience or frustration.

He dried me with a fluffy towel and kissed my forehead like it was the most normal thing in the world. Then, like there wasn’t a question in his mind whether he should do it or not, and apparently not much of one in mine, he dressed me.

He tugged a fresh pair of cotton panties into place that aren’t the least bit sexy but instead, make me feel so darn Little. Every movement was careful but sure. Strong but tender. And every movement left my cheeks and other parts of me burning hotter and hotter. I wanted to shrink away from the embarrassment and melt into him at the same time. It was definitely the hottest and sweetest thing I’ve ever experienced.

I knew how ridiculous it looked. A grown woman letting a man—no, her Daddy—do everything for her like she was helpless. But it didn’t feel ridiculous.

It felt natural.

Like we’ve been doing it forever.

By the time he finished brushing my hair and had blow-dried it until it was soft and silky again, I was floating. Squishy-brained and loose-limbed, warm all over and happy. So dang happy.

I wanted to crawl into his arms, bury my face in his neck, and never move again. When he handed me my water-filled sippy cup, I almost cried.

Because it wasn’t just about the pajamas or the toothbrush or the sippy cup, it was about this quietly enormous thing happening between us. This... pull.

Daddy.

MyDaddy.

I haven’t stopped thinking about it all day while he was doing work with his brothers.

And tonight, he did the same thing, getting me ready for bed like I’m the most precious thing on earth. I climb into bed like he tells me, squirming underneath the covers until I’m settled on the correct side. When he slides in next to me and tugs me into his side instantly, I can’t help but tuck myself as close as humanly possible without climbing on top of him. Not that I would mind, but I don’t want to be too clingy. I press my nose against his chest and sigh, letting the rest of the world fall away.

“You’re my favorite already, Daddy,” I murmur sleepily against his skin, the words slipping out before I can think twice.

His chest vibrates with a low, rough chuckle, and his arm tightens around me. “Good. ’Cause you’re my favorite too, rainbow.”

My heart does a wobbly, fluttery thing I don’t even try to stop.

He shifts slightly, angling so he can look down at me. He brushes a stray strand of hair away from my face.

“You sure you’re okay with this?” he asks softly. “Us having a Daddy/Little relationship. Even if it’s just while you’re here?”

I nod without hesitation, my hands tightening in his shirt to anchor myself. “I’ve never felt safer,” I whisper back. “It feels... right.”

His lips twitch like he’s trying not to smile too big. And then his mouth brushes the top of my head again, a kiss so gentle it steals the breath from my lungs.

“We’re gonna do this right. I’m gonna take care of you. You’ll have rules, but you’ll have choices, too.”

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