Page 55 of Spoiling Lillian
Camden chuckles sardonically. “Unaffected. Went about his life working for his father. I have plenty of pictures of him out with friends for drinks. Doesn’t look grief-stricken to me. He’s even been seen on dates with more than one woman. Granted, that doesn’t mean he didn’t intend to marry into the Lighton family, but if he’s a philanderer, I doubt he would have stopped dating.”
I blow out a relieved breath. “That’s good. Hopefully, he doesn’t care that Lillian left.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about Herman. If I had thought so, I would have warned you weeks ago. I didn’t want to interfere in your relationship. That was for Lillian to share when she was ready. But I would have if I’d thought she was in danger.”
I nod. “Thank you. Appreciate it.” I run a hand over my hair. Who knew falling in love would be so fucking stressful. Suddenly, someone is more important in my life than me. I don’t like her hurting, and I certainly don’t like her in danger.
“She’s not going to stay in that apartment tonight, right?” Camden asks.
I shake my head. “Fuck no.”
“She’s welcome to stay here,” Camden says with a laughable smirk.
I chuckle. “No. But thank you. I’ve got it.”
“Figured. But I had to offer.”
“Appreciate it. I’ll contact Black Blade Protection and have someone make sure Carolyn Lighton leaves town.”
“Do you really think she’ll stick around and try to get Lillian alone?”
I shrug. “She won’t be successful if she does. Luckily, my neighborhood is gated, and I have a state-of-the-art alarm system. I’ve already lectured Lillian about the difference between discipline for safety infractions and discipline for silly things like running in the house.”
Camden laughs. “Yep. Welcome to age play.”
“You’re not back at work at the university yet, right?” I ask, my jaw tight.
“No. I still have a few weeks of summer vacation left. Happy to help. Would you like Lillian to come over here during the day while you’re at work for a while until you’re confident no one is going to catch her unaware?”
I blow out a breath. “Yes. I’d appreciate it.” I groan and tip my head back. Who knew I’d be arranging for someone to protect my girlfriend? I hope she doesn’t balk at the idea. I won’t be able to fully focus on my job if I’m constantly worrying about her.
“Done. Simone will be pleased. The two of them weren’t very close growing up. They’re bonding now and making up for lost time.”
I sip my coffee and set the mug down with a huge sigh. “I hope Lillian won’t feel like I got her a babysitter.”
Camden chuckles. “I suspect she’ll be fine. I doubt she’ll ever desire to spend as much time in Little space as Simone, but she’ll appreciate boundaries and important rules, especially if they come from you.” He lifts his brows.
I hesitate. “Has she said as much?” She’s probably been talking to Simone about me for weeks.
Camden shrugs without looking away, meaning yes. He glances toward the doorway again before continuing, “How will you fulfill your sadistic side if you enter into a relationship with Lillian?”
I take that to infer that Lillian has expressed exactly that concern with Simone, and I’m not the least bit surprised. It’s not a shock. She and I have discussed this, too.
Setting my mug down, I lean back. “Turns out controlling a Little girl in even the subtlest of ways can be very sadistic.”
Camden grins. “I bet.”
“That doesn’t mean I no longer have the urge to pick up a cane and hear it whooshing through the air before it strikes the back of a pair of thighs. I don’t have all the answers.”
“Maybe you need to take Lillian to Surrender and introduce her to what you do. She may have glimpsed it the night she was there, and she’s probably Googled sadism and watched some videos online, but nothing compares to seeing it in person.”
I sigh. “I know you’re right, but it scares the living daylight out of me. What if she freaks out?”
He shrugs. “Then you deal with it. Judging by what I witnessed between you when you arrived, I’m confident this will work itself out. You don’t have a choice, do you?”
“No,” I agree. I let my gaze drift toward the doorway, willing her to materialize. I miss her. “She’s mine,” I mutter.
Chapter 23
