Page 36 of Tinley's Daddy
“Hey, sweet T.” He rubbed my back. “We’re about to land.”
I pushed myself up and stood up.
“Bathroom,” I whispered and stepped around him.
I reached the bathroom where the stewardess was cleaning up. “Can I get you something before we land?” Her eyes blinked, and she reached and touched my arm but pulled her hand back. She must have heard part of our conversation.
“Just some water, please.” I tried to smile to make her feel better. “Thank you.”
She nodded.
I slipped into the bathroom. It was impossible to miss my reflection when three sides of the bathroom were mirrored. My hair was all over the place. My eyes were puffy from sleep and from crying. I used the bathroom and then splashed some water on my face. I patted it dry with the towel left on the counter. Real towels, not paper. The sink had a caddie with two brushes, a comb, and a toothbrush wrapped in plastic. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I applied the moisturizer again. It instantly brightened my skin.
When I came back out, the water had been set on the ledge by my original seat. Josh was seated across from me, sipping on coffee. The plane smelled like eggs and bacon.
I flopped down and hugged myself.
“You should eat something.” He sat up and buckled my seat belt. The stewardess arrived at our side. “Maybe a bagel or some toast or something.”
“Bagel sounds good. With butter.” I spoke to Josh. “What are you having?”
The stewardess disappeared.
“I had something earlier.” He grabbed a blanket and tucked it around me. I stared at him.
He settled back.
“You’re Daddying me,” I said in a quiet tone.
His eyes grew wide.
He opened and closed his mouth a few times.
“I’m sorry.” He leaned forward and rubbed his chin. “I feel compelled to take care of you.”
“Because I’m such a crazy mess.” I dropped my chin to my chest.
“No, I have a theory, but I’ll save that for another time,” he mumbled and then sat back.
I tilted my head and peered up at him. The flight attendant returned with my bagel. I broke it apart and ate small bites. Josh’s hands twitched. I sat it down and waited.
He looked like he wanted to feed me.
He didn’t. My stomach growled and I ate more of the bagel. His statement hung in the air like a ballon. Did I dare pop it?
“Okay, go ahead. Lay it on me. Tell me your theory.” I tried to keep my tone neutral, but I heard the snark in it. I wasn’t a brat, but he brought it out of me. I had no doubt he had a theory about my not feeling safe being little anymore. His theory was probably spot-on, but I wasn’t sure I was open to hearing it. For someone else to justify my actions to me when I didn’t know how to justify them to myself. I didn’t deserve something that would absolve me of the guilt and shame I felt.
If I let this man take over, that was exactly what it would do. I had a glimpse of what type of Daddy Josh would be and if I were a different kind of little, he would be perfect.
His little would be just the right amount of sassy and the right amount of obedient. He would make her feel like the most special girl in the world. Exactly how he’d made me feel since the moment our eyes met in that hallway outside his hotel room. I remembered it like it was fresh in my mind, the calm I felt and the courage coursing through me. I knew in seconds I could trust him. Even when every fiber of my being stated I was putting myself into further danger.
“Later.” He shook his head. “I need you to do something first.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. He put it out there, but now he was putting conditions on a conversation. Where did he get off? What did he want from me?
“First, unclench your fist for me.” He squeezed my knee.
I released my hands, and the blood flow made my fingers tingle. I smirked.
